EU: CEPT 6 GHz Wi-Fi rules
CEPT 6 GHz Wi-Fi Rules: Draft ECC Decision (20)01 Lets Countries Authorise LPI Use Beyond Buildings
CEPT 6 GHz Wi-Fi rules are up for a targeted change. The Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) of the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) has put a draft revision of ECC Decision (20)01 out for public consultation. The decision harmonises the 5945–6425 MHz band for Wireless Access Systems including Radio Local Area Networks (WAS/RLAN), which is where Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices operate in Europe. Comments are due by 27 November 2026.
Background: ECC Decision (20)01
ECC Decision (20)01 was approved on 20 November 2020 and last amended on 8 November 2024, when CEPT relaxed the out-of-band limit for Very Low Power (VLP) devices. It asks CEPT administrations to designate 5945–6425 MHz for WAS/RLAN on a non-exclusive, non-interference and non-protected basis, to allow free circulation of compliant equipment and to exempt it from individual licensing.
Two device classes are defined. Low Power Indoor (LPI) equipment is restricted to indoor use, including trains with metal-coated windows and aircraft, and outdoor use (including road vehicles) isn't permitted. An LPI access point has to be powered from a wired connection, have an integrated antenna and not run on batteries. VLP devices are portable and can work indoors and outdoors, but not on drones.
In EU and EFTA countries the same band is harmonised by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1067, and equipment has to comply with the Radio Equipment Directive, usually through the harmonised standard ETSI EN 303 687.
Key Changes in the CEPT 6 GHz Wi-Fi Rules Draft
The revision is short. It adds one recital and one decision paragraph, and updates the reference list.
A new national option for "other use cases"
The new recital notes that some CEPT countries may allow other use cases, for example in buildings that aren't fully enclosed, such as stadiums, on an individual authorisation basis while making sure incumbent services stay protected.
The matching decision paragraph says CEPT administrations may choose to additionally allow, on an individual authorisation basis, other operational use cases. These may deviate from the "Permissible operation" and "Category of device" rows of the LPI table, but must otherwise meet the LPI technical conditions in Table 1.
What stays the same
The LPI limits don't change: 23 dBm maximum mean e.i.r.p., 10 dBm/MHz e.i.r.p. density and –22 dBm/MHz below 5935 MHz. The VLP limits don't change either (14 dBm, 1 dBm/MHz, 10 dBm/MHz for narrowband hopping devices, and –37 dBm/MHz or –45 dBm/MHz out of band). Licence-exempt LPI use is still indoor-only. The draft doesn't touch the band edges, so 6425–7125 MHz remains outside the decision.
Editorial updates
The reference list now points to ETSI TR 103 524 V1.1.1, ETSI EN 303 687 and the latest editions of ERC Report 25 (the European Table of Frequency Allocations).
What This Means for Manufacturers
Makers of enterprise and venue Wi-Fi, such as stadium, arena and canopy deployments, could see a route to use 6 GHz LPI-class access points in places that aren't fully enclosed.
The route would be national and case by case. Each venue or operator would need an individual authorisation, so it isn't a new licence-exempt device class.
Radios would still have to meet the LPI power and out-of-band limits. If you plan a variant with external antennas or a different power arrangement, check whether the authorising country would accept it, since the draft doesn't list acceptable deviations.
Your RED conformity route doesn't change. Products sold in the EU still follow EN 303 687 and the conditions of Decision (EU) 2021/1067, which this draft doesn't amend.
Labelling and user instructions for standard LPI products should keep the indoor-only restriction.
Certification Impact Summary
Area | Before (Decision as amended 2024) | After (draft revision) | Impact level |
LPI permissible operation | Indoor only (plus trains and aircraft) | Unchanged for licence-exempt use; other use cases possible by individual authorisation | Medium |
LPI device category | Wired-powered AP with integrated antenna, not battery powered | Unchanged; may be deviated from under individual authorisation | Medium |
Authorisation | Licence-exempt only | Licence-exempt, plus optional national individual authorisation | Medium |
LPI and VLP power limits | 23 dBm / 10 dBm/MHz (LPI); 14 dBm / 1 dBm/MHz (VLP) | Unchanged | Low |
Harmonised standard | ETSI EN 303 687 | Unchanged | Low |
EU implementing decision | (EU) 2021/1067 | Not amended by this draft | Low |
Timeline and Required Actions
Key Dates
Date | Milestone |
20 November 2020 | ECC Decision (20)01 approved |
8 November 2024 | Decision amended (VLP out-of-band relaxation) |
November 2026 | Draft revision published for public consultation |
27 November 2026 | Comments due (13:00 CET) |
To be confirmed | ECC adoption and publication of the amended decision |
Required Actions for Manufacturers
Identify any 6 GHz access points aimed at stadiums, arenas or other partly open venues in Europe.
Check those products against the LPI limits in Table 1, including the –22 dBm/MHz limit below 5935 MHz.
Send comments to the ECO by 27 November 2026 if you want the deviations defined more clearly.
Keep EN 303 687 test reports current; the RED route doesn't change.
Track which CEPT countries adopt the option once the amended decision is published.
Conclusion
The draft revision of ECC Decision (20)01 doesn't open 6 GHz Wi-Fi outdoors. It gives CEPT countries a formal way to authorise LPI-class networks in places such as stadiums, one authorisation at a time, while the technical limits stay as they are. For venue Wi-Fi vendors it's worth a comment before 27 November. Contact our team for support with 6 GHz approvals in Europe.
