Chile’s telecoms regulator Subtel revised a spectrum decision and enabled only the lower portion of the 6GHz band, from 5,925MHz to 6,125MHz, for the use of unlicensed services.
Previously, the entire band, 5,925MHz to 7,125MHz, could be used for Wi-Fi. Applauding the revision on social media, GSMA Latin America director Lucas Gallitto said permanent review of the most efficient spectrum use should be standard practice for regulators. Subtel undersecretary Claudio Araya told BNamericas in June that the review of the 6GHz band was not a priority but that it would become more relevant after the reordering of the 3.5GHz band.
In 2020, Chile followed the US in clearing the entire band, 1,200MHz, for unlicensed services. Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru, among others, followed suit. Brazil was contemplating a review too, but updates have not been provided. Mexico’s regulator IFT proposed free use for unlicensed services of the entire band, while in Argentina a public consultation advocated only the band’s lower portion for such use. Only eight Latin American countries have made decisions regarding the 6GHz band. Regional use of the band will be evaluated at the next world radiocommunication conference (WRC-23) at the end of next year.
While international broadband associations such as the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance and the Wireless Broadband Alliance or Argentina’s Copitec push for full use of the band for Wi-Fi 6, mobile operator organizations such as GSMA advocate balanced use, reserving part of the band for mobile and backhaul services.
