Unlocked: The Power of 6 GHz

Innovation follows spectrum.

The foundation for a more connected, high-performance digital world.

The Wireless Demand Explosion

Wireless demand is accelerating at an unprecedented pace. Billions of new devices — and the technologies they enable — are pushing networks to their limits. Artificial intelligence workloads are putting pressure on wireless networks. Expanded spectrum in the 6 GHz band provides the capacity needed to keep up.

0+ billion

devices today

0+ billion

projected by 2030

50% of AI-driven demand is concentrated in Wi-Fi campus networks; 28% of global organizations surveyed in Cisco’s 2026 State of Wireless Report have deployed AI workloads; projected to hit nearly 80% by 2027

Cisco networking customer stories

Compact mode

Healthcare

Transforming Patient Care Through High-Performance Connectivity

OU Health in Oklahoma City is modernizing its hospital-wide network to support a new generation of digital healthcare. By deploying Wi‑Fi 6E infrastructure powered by 6 GHz spectrum, the system is enabling faster, more reliable connectivity across clinical environments where performance is critical...

Impact:

Instant, reliable, secure access to patient data and imaging across facilities
Seamless connectivity for thousands of critical medical devices
Improved speed and network performance for critical care operations

Sports

Delivering Seamless Connectivity in One of the World’s Most Demanding Environments

On game day, Levi’s Stadium becomes one of the most demanding wireless environments in the world. Tens of thousands of fans are accessing tickets, streaming video, sharing content, ordering concessions, and engaging through mobile apps all at the same time...

Impact:

Tens of thousands of simultaneous connections without disruption
Real-time streaming, mobile engagement, and digital services
Seamless coexistence of Wi‑Fi and 5G in a high-density environment

Education

Reimagining the Connected Campus Experience

At Georgetown University, connectivity is a strategic investment in the student experience and the future workforce. Today’s students arrive with multiple devices, rely on real-time collaboration tools, and increasingly use data-intensive applications like video, AI-powered tools, and immersive learning platforms...

Impact:

Reliable connectivity for thousands of students, faculty, and devices
Support for immersive and collaborative digital learning environments
Scalable infrastructure to meet growing campus demand

Agriculture

Enabling Precision Agriculture Through Connectivity

At Planet Farms in Italy, agriculture is driven by precision and data. Sensors monitor environmental conditions, automated systems adjust inputs in real time, and AI models optimize production — all of which depend on reliable, high-performance connectivity...

Impact:

Real-time monitoring and control of farming environments
Support for automated, AI-driven agricultural systems
Reliable connectivity across complex, high-density operations

Retail

Powering the Digital Retail Experience

In modern retail, inventory shifts quickly, customer expectations are high, and store teams rely on real-time information to keep operations running smoothly. From stock management to point-of-sale systems, today’s retail environment depends on seamless, always-on connectivity...

Impact:

Real-time visibility into inventory and store operations
Faster, more reliable transactions and in-store systems
Seamless connectivity supporting both staff and customer experiences

Sports

Building the Arena Experience of the Future

As fan expectations evolve, modern arenas are becoming fully connected digital environments — where every screen, stream, interaction, and operational system depends on fast, reliable connectivity...

Impact:

One of the first sports venues to deploy Cisco Wi‑Fi 7
Operational visibility across the arena through connected systems and analytics
Expanded capacity to support growing data demands from fans and operations

Operations

Connecting Operations Across Challenging Environments

From its headquarters in Canada, Nutrien operates some of the world’s largest agricultural and industrial environments — where decisions made in real time directly impact productivity, safety, and output...

Impact:

Real-time operational visibility across large-scale, distributed environments
Faster decision-making supported by reliable, high-capacity connectivity
Improved efficiency and safety through connected systems and data access

Sports

Enhancing Fan Experience at Scale

The Melbourne Cricket Ground hosts some of the largest sporting events in the world, and traditional spectrum bands alone cannot support this level of demand without congestion...

Impact:

Reliable connectivity for massive crowds during major events
Increased capacity to handle high-density usage
Enhanced digital experiences for fans across the stadium

Education

Powering Immersive, Future-Ready Education at Scale

At Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore, connectivity is enabling a new generation of learning. Students are using immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality, engaging with connected systems across campus, and developing skills for a digital-first economy...

Impact:

Ultra-fast, low-latency connectivity supporting AR/VR and immersive learning
Scalable infrastructure enabling IoT innovation across campus
Connected systems improving operational efficiency and sustainability

Manufacturing

Automating the Factory Floor with Real-Time Intelligence

At E80 Group, an Italy-based robotics and automation company specializing in designing logistics solutions for sectors like food and beverage, modern manufacturing is built on automation, robotics, and real-time coordination across complex production environments...

Impact:

Real-time coordination of automated systems and robotics
Continuous data flow enabling precision manufacturing
Reliable connectivity supporting high-density industrial environments

Sports

Turning Data into Competitive Advantage — In Real Time

In Formula 1, success is measured in milliseconds. Every race generates massive volumes of data — think everything from car performance to track conditions, requiring immediate analysis and rapid decision-making...

Impact:

Real-time low latency data transmission and analysis on and off the track
Faster, data-driven decision-making under extreme conditions
High-performance connectivity supporting global operations

Transforming Patient Care Through High-Performance Connectivity

Delivering Seamless Connectivity in One of the World’s Most Demanding Environments

Reimagining the Connected Campus Experience

Enabling Precision Agriculture Through Connectivity

Powering the Digital Retail Experience

Building the Arena Experience of the Future

Connecting Operations Across Challenging Environments

Enhancing Fan Experience at Scale

Powering Immersive, Future-Ready Education at Scale

Automating the Factory Floor with Real-Time Intelligence

Turning Data into Competitive Advantage — In Real Time

Why 6 GHz Matters

More Devices. More Demand.

30B+ connected devices by 2030

With more than 30 billion devices expected by 2030, the 6 GHz band adds up to 1,200 MHz of new spectrum — providing the capacity needed to keep networks reliable at scale.

More Spectrum. More Capacity.

Up to 1,200 MHz of new spectrum

Enabled by the 6 GHz band, Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7 deliver multi-gigabit speeds and wider channels, supporting the high-performance applications driving today’s digital economy.

Faster Speeds. Greater Performance.

Multi-gigabit Wi‑Fi enabled by 6 GHz

By reducing interference and enabling ultra-low latency, the 6 GHz band supports real-time, mission-critical systems across the public and private sectors as well as critical infrastructure — healthcare, industry, and public infrastructure.

Lower Latency. Real-Time Response.

Built for mission‑critical applications

As AI, IoT, and immersive technologies scale, the 6 GHz band provides the foundation for next-generation networks — ensuring innovation is not limited by capacity.

Global innovation spotlight

How leading economies are opening spectrum — and what it means for the future.

United States

Full band open • Band availability (5925 – 7125 MHz)

In 2020, the U.S. opened the entire 6 GHz band — all 1,200 MHz — for unlicensed Wi‑Fi use, becoming the first major country to do so. It also introduced an innovative spectrum management system that allows 6 GHz Wi‑Fi operations at full strength indoors and outdoors, managed by an automated frequency coordination system that protects incumbents and allows everyone to share the airwaves efficiently.

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Saudi Arabia

Full band open • Band availability (5925 – 7125 MHz)

Saudi Arabia opened the full 1,200 MHz of the 6 GHz band to Wi‑Fi and has since made the bold policy decision to also allow standard-power Wi‑Fi — giving devices more range and reliability across the country. The technical rules are still being finalized, but the direction is clear: Saudi Arabia is all-in on 6 GHz as a foundation for its digital economy ambitions.

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United Kingdom

Hybrid approach • Band availability (5925 – 7125 MHz) (PROPOSED)

The UK has crafted a nuanced, carefully balanced approach: the lower portion of the band is fully open for Wi-Fi, the next slice of the upper band would prioritize Wi-Fi, and the remaining upper band would be earmarked primarily for mobile — but with Wi-Fi allowed in certain circumstances still being defined. Higher-power unlicensed operations also have been approved across the lower portion of the band and proposed for the upper band, subject to an automated frequency coordination system.

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South Korea

Full band open • Band availability (5925 – 7125 MHz)

South Korea moved fast. Just months after the U.S. acted, the country opened the full 1,200 MHz of the 6 GHz band for Wi‑Fi. In testing, the new spectrum delivered wireless speeds five times faster than what was previously available — a powerful demonstration of what the 6 GHz band makes possible. The lower portion was also unlocked for direct device-to-device connections outdoors, opening the door to new use cases entirely.

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Argentina

Full band + power evolving • Band availability (5925 – 7125 MHz)

Argentina has opened the full 1,200 MHz for license-exempt Wi‑Fi — a bold decision for a developing economy navigating real connectivity challenges. Now the country is actively considering whether to take the next step and allow higher-power Wi‑Fi, which could be especially transformative in a country with vast geography and underserved rural communities.

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The common thread: open spectrum drives opportunity

Across five very different economies — from the world's largest economy and fast-growing Gulf nations, to technology-forward economies in Asia and developing markets in South America — the decision to open the 6 GHz band reflects the same underlying insight: affordable, high-quality connectivity is infrastructure, and spectrum policy is one of the most powerful levers governments have to accelerate it. Countries that act decisively tend to lead in deployment, innovation, and economic returns.

countries highlighted have opened the full 1,200 MHz for Wi‑Fi — with the fifth (UK) opening the majority and actively expanding.

have approved or are actively pursuing higher-power Wi‑Fi — the next frontier in maximizing the band's real-world impact.

of potential new Wi‑Fi spectrum — enough to unlock Wi‑Fi 7 speeds and the next generation of connected applications.

The Power is in Our Hands

The Stakes Are Clear

Connectivity now underpins how we deliver healthcare, educate students, run industries, and power economies. As demand accelerates, networks must be able to keep up — reliably and at scale.

The Path Is Proven

Across the world, organizations are already using expanded wireless capacity to enable real-time care, immersive learning, advanced manufacturing, and connected infrastructure. These are not future concepts — they are happening now.

The Decision Matters

The choices made today will determine whether networks can meet growing demand or fall behind it. Expanding access to the 6 GHz band helps ensure the capacity needed to support innovation, competitiveness, and modern digital services.