Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (ANATEL) has published Act No. 10.400/2026, amending Act No. 14.448 to narrow the frequency range available for Wi-Fi operation in the 6 GHz band. The new rule reduces the usable band from 5925-7125 MHz to 5925-6425 MHz, cutting the spectrum available for Wi-Fi from 1200 MHz to 500 MHz. Compliance becomes mandatory from March 1, 2027, giving manufacturers of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices a defined window to update their Brazilian regulatory configurations. The change reflects ANATEL’s broader strategy to reserve the upper 6 GHz band for IMT and mobile services, including future 5G-Advanced and 6G networks.
What Changed Under ANATEL Act No. 10.400/2026
Act No. 10.400/2026 amends Act No. 14.448 and formally reduces the frequency range permitted for Wi-Fi operation in the 6 GHz band. Under the previous rule, the full 5925-7125 MHz range, representing 1200 MHz of spectrum, was available for Wi-Fi use in Brazil. The new requirement limits Wi-Fi operation to 5925-6425 MHz, or 500 MHz of usable spectrum, removing the upper 6425-7125 MHz segment, a loss of 700 MHz, from Wi-Fi allocation entirely.
Why Brazil Is Reallocating Upper 6 GHz Spectrum
ANATEL’s decision is tied to its spectrum strategy of reserving the upper 6 GHz band for IMT and mobile services, positioning it for future 5G-Advanced and 6G deployment. The move also aligns Brazil with international spectrum discussions that followed the World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23), where several administrations debated how to divide the 6 GHz band between Wi-Fi and mobile broadband use. By narrowing the Wi-Fi allocation now, ANATEL is signaling that mobile network expansion, rather than unlicensed wireless use, will take priority in the upper portion of the band going forward.
Effective Date and Transition Period for Existing Certifications
Although Act No. 10.400/2026 has already been published, compliance with the new frequency range does not become mandatory until March 1, 2027. Products with existing ANATEL certificates that extend beyond that date will need to demonstrate compliance with the new frequency range during their applicable periodic maintenance process, rather than through immediate recertification. Manufacturers should expect further guidance from ANATEL as implementation details, including the treatment of certificates issued before the transition, continue to take shape.
Impact on Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 Product Certification
Manufacturers of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices should pay particular attention to this change, since both technologies are designed to take advantage of the full 6 GHz band. Products intended for the Brazilian market will need their regulatory configuration to limit 6 GHz operation to 5925-6425 MHz, with operation in the 6425-7125 MHz segment disabled for Brazil once the new requirement becomes mandatory. Companies preparing Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 products for certification in Brazil should build this frequency restriction into their regional configuration profiles well ahead of the March 2027 deadline.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Brazil
Certification Body: Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (ANATEL)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: 24/36 Months
Application Language: Portuguese
Legal License Holder: Local Representative
In-Country Testing Requirement: In-Country Testing
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