6G is coming: trump's push and the race for spectrum
Forget 5G for a moment. The U.S. government, spurred by a surprisingly prescient tweet from Donald Trump, is already laying the groundwork for 6G, and the timeline is accelerating faster than many realize. We're looking at a potential rollout as early as 2030, and the scramble for suitable spectrum is well underway.
The 7ghz band: frontrunner in the 6g spectrum race
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), tasked with advising the President on telecom matters, is leading the charge. Following recommendations from 5G Americas, Nokia, and Ericsson, the 7GHz band is currently emerging as a strong contender. The NTIA's website, recently launched, meticulously details the progress being made across various frequency bands, revealing the 7GHz band is navigating the critical spectrum interference analysis phase – a significant hurdle cleared.
But the story doesn't end there. The NTIA isn't solely focused on 7GHz. Bands at 4.4GHz, 2.7GHz, and even 1.6GHz are also under scrutiny, each progressing through a series of tests and evaluations. Arielle Roth, the NTIA’s chief administrator, emphasized their commitment to “reconfigure, modernize, and make more room” – a sentiment echoing the need for spectrum efficiency to unlock greater value.
Trump's unexpected interest and the 2028 olympics
It’s easy to dismiss Trump’s 2019 tweet about wanting 6G “as fast as possible” as a fleeting moment of presidential whimsy. However, the subsequent actions of his administration – including a memorandum ordering the NTIA to analyze frequencies in the lower 7GHz band and the designation of 600MHz of spectrum for exclusive licensed use – paint a picture of genuine interest. The ambition doesn't stop there. According to a Qualcomm executive, the Trump administration even expressed a desire to have three 6G-enabled phones ready for the 2028 Summer Olympics. While a lofty goal, it underscores the seriousness with which the government is approaching the development of this next-generation Technology.
T-Mobile’s recent testing of Nokia equipment in the 7GHz band, permitted by an FCC waiver, further supports the growing momentum behind this frequency. The carrier’s rationale – “support the advancement of potential future wireless technologies” – hardly concealed the 6G implications.
Beyond speed: lessons from 5g and a future focused on coverage
The current spectrum allocation and the NTIA’s efforts highlight a potential shift in priorities. The mistakes of the past, specifically the focus on speed over coverage in early 5G deployments that ultimately allowed T-Mobile to seize the advantage with Sprint’s 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum, are unlikely to be repeated. The future of 6G will undoubtedly involve intricate network build-outs, and the lessons learned from the 5G rollout will be instrumental in ensuring a more balanced and robust infrastructure.
The Spectrum Relocation Fund (SRF) remains a crucial piece of the puzzle, requiring meticulous planning and Congressional approval to unlock its funding potential. With Congress facing a deadline to fund studies for the 2.7GHz and 4GHz bands, the race to secure the spectrum needed for 6G is far from over.