GSMA has identified a critical need for an average of 2 to 3 GHz of mid-band spectrum per country by 2030, noting the consequences of a shortage of mid-band bandwidth, including Network Cost, as operators must build 3–5x more towers (densification) to maintain speeds, significantly raising consumer prices and Urban congestion where data speeds could drop by 50% or more during peak hours, rendering advanced apps unusable.
Is reaching 3 GHz of Mid-Band visible spectrum before 2030?
To reach the 3 GHz target, most countries need to find an additional 1,000–1,500 MHz of spectrum. The industry is looking at these specific “candidate” bands to close the gap:
- The Upper 6 GHz Band (6.425–7.125 GHz): Provides roughly 700 MHz. This is the single most important “chunk” remaining.
- The 4.8 GHz Band (4.4–4.8 GHz): Could provide another 500 MHz, though it is heavily used by the military/government in some regions.
- Centimetric Bands (7–15 GHz): Emerging as the primary target for early 6G, offering 1 GHz+ of potential capacity.
So 3 GHz of mid-band before 2030 is increasingly visible because the spectrum pipeline is now concrete. WRC-23 has already identified the 6.425–7.125 GHz (700 MHz) band for IMT, creating a globally harmonised expansion band. And WRC-27 is formally studying 4.4–4.8 GHz and 7.125–8.4 GHz (or parts thereof) for potential IMT identification.
As per Accenture, on the demand/market side, several countries already sit at 0.8–1.1 GHz of lower mid-band today (e.g., Japan 1,100 MHz, UK 790 MHz), with others projected to be higher by 2027 (e.g., China 1,660 MHz).
In practical terms: a country with ~1.1–1.7 GHz today needs roughly ~1.3–1.9 GHz more to reach 3 GHz—exactly the scale of the ‘Upper 6 + one more mid-band block’ roadmap now visible in WRC decisions and studies.
Is reaching 3 GHz of Mid-Band mandatory for all countries?
No — 3 GHz isn’t mandatory for every country.
- ITU (WRC-23) notes that spectrum needs vary by national conditions and by the incumbent users already occupying the spectrum in each country.
- GSMA treats ~2 GHz of mid-band by 2030 as an average planning benchmark, with some markets needing closer to (or above) ~3 GHz depending on factors like population density and fixed-network alternatives.