Catenaa, Sunday, November 30, 2025- The GSMA is urging governments to act now to secure additional spectrum for 6G networks, citing potential congestion, slower speeds, and economic setbacks if planning is delayed.
The trade body estimates urban areas will need 2 to 3 GHz of extra spectrum by 2035-2040, roughly three times the mid-band currently available.
Forecasts account for emerging applications such as extended reality, autonomous vehicles, and wireless sensor networks, alongside conventional mobile traffic like video, gaming, and social media.
While operators plan to optimize existing spectrum, deploy densification strategies, and implement AI-RAN and 6G technologies, the GSMA says these measures alone will be insufficient.
Global mobile traffic is projected to surge to between 1,700 and 3,900 exabytes per month by 2040, up from 197 EB in 2024.
Officials emphasized that early government action is essential to prevent connectivity issues for consumers and businesses.
Insufficient spectrum could slow technology adoption and reduce national competitiveness in the coming 6G era.
The warning comes ahead of the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, where new spectrum allocations for next-generation networks will be decided.
Analysts expect increased lobbying for frequencies in the lead-up to the event.
The GSMA’s statement highlights the growing challenge of aligning regulatory timelines with the rapid evolution of mobile technology.
