Brazil's regulator Anatel has opened two public consultations on outdoor Wi-Fi in the lower 6 GHz band, with comments open until 3 December 2026 on the Participa Anatel portal. The move is the latest step in a contested, multi-year process to decide how the country uses the band.

The first consultation sets technical requirements for Wi-Fi equipment. The second introduces Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the lower part of the band, 5925-6425 MHz.

What would AFC change?

AFC in this range would permit Wi-Fi in outdoor settings. It would also open possible applications in the Internet of Things and public services.

Anatel's proposals outline technical requirements for the latest Wi-Fi generations, including Wi-Fi 7. The standard offers lower latency than previous Wi-Fi releases and can operate across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz.

On AFC, Anatel aims to establish operational conditions for its use. The technology lets Wi-Fi systems actively determine which radio frequencies and power levels they can use in various circumstances, so they do not cause interference to other devices relying on the band.

For network planners, that coordination layer is the practical unlock. Standard-power outdoor access points cannot enter this spectrum without it.

Why does Brazil's ISP sector matter here?

The politics of the 6 GHz band in Brazil are unusual. Eduardo Tude, CEO and founder of consulting firm Teleco, links Anatel's decision on the lower band to the structure of the country's market.

"In Brazil, we have more than 10,000 ISPs, and they represent more than 50% of the fixed broadband market," he explains. "So they have a lot of power."

ISP association Abrint strongly supports allocating 6 GHz spectrum for unlicensed use. It opposes the regulator's plan to auction the upper part of the band, 6425-7125 MHz, for IMT. The group says the auction plan "threatens the efforts of industry and regional providers to implement advanced Wi-Fi technologies and ignores the essential role of Small-Scale Providers in digital inclusion".

How did the band get split?

Brazil decided to open the entire 6 GHz band for unlicensed use in 2020. Shortly before WRC-23, Anatel reversed that decision and reserved the upper portion, 6425-7125 MHz, for IMT.

A consultation process for an auction of that spectrum is ongoing. Anatel's current plan divides it into three blocks of 200 MHz and one of 100 MHz — 700 MHz of mid-band spectrum in total for licensed mobile use.

Organisations like Abrint continue to push for the whole band to go unlicensed. Tude considers that outcome highly unlikely.

"Regarding Wi-Fi, there are some discussions," he told PolicyTracker. "There is a desire for it to be used externally and not just indoors, for example, but the division of the band is settled now."

Is there a case for mobile holding upper 6 GHz?

ISPs claim mobile operators have no use for 6 GHz spectrum until 6G develops, which is not expected to become a commercial possibility until around 2030. On that argument, auctioning the band now banks spectrum against a demand that is still years away.

Brazil already holds substantial swathes of IMT spectrum in other bands, such as 3.5 GHz, according to Tude. He adds that the country runs one of the most advanced 5G networks in Latin America.

What happens next?

Both consultations are available on the Participa Anatel portal, and stakeholders can submit comments until 3 December 2026. The outcomes will set the operating rules for outdoor Wi-Fi 7 in the lower band, while the separate upper-band auction consultation proceeds on its own track toward the eventual sale of three 200 MHz blocks and one 100 MHz block.