- China officially approves the 6GHz band for 6G technology trials, accelerating the rollout of next-generation mobile networks.
- The move contrasts with the fierce debate in the EU over the same band, highlighting the global race for crucial mid-band spectrum resources.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has officially granted permission to use the 6GHz band for 6G technology trials, aiming to promote the country's 6G research and development, standard formulation, and industrialization.
The license was issued to the IMT-2030 (6G) Promotion Group to support 6G trials in selected regions, focusing on testing and verifying key performance indicators defined by the International Telecommunication Union, according to an MIIT announcement on Friday.
The approval of 6G trial frequencies will strongly propel China to accelerate the deployment of its next-generation mobile communication networks.
In contrast to China's clear strategy, a fierce debate over the allocation of the upper 6GHz band has been raging within the European Union since last year.
Industry organizations led by the Wi-Fi Alliance and mobile operators are at a standoff in Europe, making the EU one of the most restrictive regions globally regarding available Wi-Fi spectrum.
The next-generation 6G networks will require up to three times more mid-band spectrum, with high-demand countries needing 2.5 to 4GHz of resources by 2040, according to a report released by the GSMA on November 20, 2025.
Countries must act immediately to secure sufficient spectrum resources, or risk facing network congestion and other issues in the 2030s.
Commercial deployment of 6G networks is expected to begin in 2030, with China poised to be among the first to roll them out.
Furthermore, by 2040, there are expected to be over 5 billion 6G connections globally, accounting for about half of all mobile connections. Early spectrum planning will help countries maintain their competitiveness in the digital economy, the GSMA report said.
