Vendor profiles updated for 2025

However, they have varied views on unlicensed spectrum policies. This is particularly relevant in the 6 GHz band, where hybrid sharing in the upper part of the band is one of the options currently being considered.

Huawei, for example, argues that the upper 6 GHz band is a key pillar for national 6G roadmaps. It thinks some operators will deploy 5G-Advanced in the band between 2026 and 2030 and that this will evolve to 6G over time, while others will deploy 6 GHz base stations directly with 6G from 2030.

Cisco, however, is more nuanced. The company has said that if the upper 6 GHz band is reserved for IMT, this would “significantly degrade the benefits of other connectivity solutions,” such as fibre + Wi-Fi, and it wouldn’t help the mobile sector develop IMT-2030International Mobile Telecommunications (I….

Vendors are also at odds over whether dedicated spectrum should be assigned for private networks. Intel, on the one hand, supports several policy approaches to meet the spectrum needs of private networks, including dedicated spectrum and mobile network operator (MNO) provisioning. Ericsson, on the other hand, believes that MNOs are best positioned to address industrial connectivity with powerful 5G networks and business models tailored to specific industries.

In a departure from previous policy positions, vendors now consider that mmWave and THz spectrum will not generally figure in early 6G deployments. Nokia, for example, has stated that spectrum in the mmWave bands cannot replace or be considered a substitute for wide-area spectrum, due to the smaller coverage achievable with these bands; however, it can serve localised high demands in specific areas.

“Sub-THz spectrum is interesting from a research perspective but should not be part of the 6G roadmap currently,” adds Qualcomm.

The following updated vendor profiles are now available to Spectrum Research Service subscribers:

• Apple
• Cisco
• Ericsson
• Huawei
• Intel
• Nokia
• Qualcomm
• Samsung