Connectivity
Intel advocates for policies that allow for reliable wireless and broadband connectivity access worldwide.
Technology and communications policies set by governments worldwide can lay a foundation for increased availability of high-quality broadband connectivity and communications services. Such policies can lead to the investments and technology developments necessary for the widespread deployment and subsequent adoption of affordable broadband technologies, including wireless and associated services. Importantly, such policies should be forward-looking and permit unfettered innovations in technology and services.
Intel is a leading provider of technologies that enable broadband connectivity, including 5G and Wi-Fi. Through our global spectrum and connectivity policy advocacy, along with ongoing technological advancements, we recognize the long-term economic and social benefits of making high-quality broadband widely accessible and affordable. Our efforts also focus on enhancing the cost-efficiency and performance of data-intensive applications.
Key Issues
Access to spectrum to enable Economies of Scale
It is important that sufficient spectrum is available in a timely manner to support the continuous growth of global broadband data traffic.
Licensed: Mobile carriers require sufficient spectrum resources to provide the necessary network capacity for end users. Different 5G use cases demand various spectrum types, from low-band to mid-band and high-band, each offering specific technical properties that enhance the overall user experience. While all spectrum types are important, mid-band spectrum (3-5 GHz) is particularly critical, as it provides a balance of both coverage and capacity. Where feasible, spectrum should be cleared to maximize the potential for mobile broadband applications. For example, in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission's voluntary "incentive auction" cleared television broadcasters' spectrum, which was then auctioned to mobile carriers. Similarly, the innovative mid-band auction of spectrum previously used by satellite operators opened the door for 5G deployment in the "C-band." In Europe, technology-neutral regulations for 5G pioneer bands have facilitated flexible spectrum use by mobile carriers, while consolidating other spectrum users in different parts of the bands. Given the global licensed equipment ecosystem, countries should aim to make bands such as 3.3-4.2 GHz and 4.4-5 GHz available under similar technical conditions to enable economies of scale, ultimately benefiting end users.
Unlicensed/license-exempt: Current and future generations of Wi-Fi, along with other unlicensed and license-exempt technologies, rely on spectrum bands like the 6 GHz frequency range, which several countries have already made available for unlicensed use. This unlocks opportunities for wider channels, greater bandwidth, and lower latency. It also enables new use cases, such as video-rich experiences on larger screens and touchless controls.
Given the global unlicensed equipment ecosystem, countries should aim to make bands like the 5.925-7.125 GHz range available under similar technical conditions, fostering economies of scale and benefiting end users.
Allow flexibility in spectrum use
Spectrum suitable for wide-area, high-power cellular technologies such as 5G should be licensed on a technology-neutral basis with least-restrictive technical conditions to allow carriers to evolve their services, technologies, and business plans. Policies should avoid promoting one technology or carrier over another; for example, policies should permit the use of Open RAN on an equitable basis to other technical solutions.
Closing the digital divide
Industry leaders, educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders have long recognized the critical role of broadband in ensuring access and fostering adoption. While digital connectivity has expanded in recent years, gaps in access and adoption remain. Making low-band spectrum available will allow mobile carriers to deploy broadband networks in rural and remote areas where it would be economically unfeasible to use higher-frequency bands. Offering spectrum with minimal technical restrictions and reasonable licensing fees will help increase mobile broadband coverage globally. For instance, this can enable Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) instead of fiber in areas with challenging terrain or extremely remote locations. In such cases, regulators can also use targeted, competitively neutral subsidies to support market-driven policies, promoting widespread, high-quality, and affordable broadband access.
6G connectivity
Even though 5G deployments are still ongoing in many countries around the world, work on 6G is ongoing and is moving from research and development to standardization and device implementation with commercial deployments expected to start from the year 2030 onwards. As for previous technology generations, industry-led standardization of 6G as well as timely access to suitable spectrum will be key.
The ITU has published the IMT-2030/6G Framework Recommendation which outlines the 6G capabilities and envisaged usage scenarios to further guide technology development globally. While 6G will eventually also re-use 5G spectrum, it is important to consider the specific requirements for 6G spectrum within the 7-15 GHz range and policy discussions are ongoing at the global level towards the ITU World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027.
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Ideas and perspectives promoting a thriving innovation economy from Intel's public policy team.