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systems and calls for new methods to evaluate resource are allowed for trading [36], where the rights can be
efficiency and consumption. transferred to other stakeholders. The unlicensed commons
approach typically allows spectrum access to several
There is an urgency to address resource, and particularly different types of usages and users under regulatory defined
energy, efficiency aspects for 6G systems. The ITU-R rules and conditions. It often involves low-power wireless
process for IMT for 2030 and beyond will eventually define devices restricting interference locally. The unlicensed
the technical performance requirements for future mobile commons approach has resulted in new profits and promoted
communication systems and proper metrics and evaluation innovation and competition through faster access to
methods are needed to introduce energy efficiency into the spectrum for several stakeholders despite perceived quality
technical performance requirements framework. concerns.

4. STATE OF THE ART ON THE ROLE OF The different spectrum management models involve varying
SPECTRUM MANAGEMENT IN 5G AND 6G levels of spectrum sharing, which according to the ITU-R
report [37] refers to the situation where two or more radio
All wireless communications use radio spectrum, whose systems use the same frequency band. Recently, many
management has been the source of contentious debate for a regulators have promoted spectrum sharing, including [13].
century. Spectrum management decisions are about the
governance of the natural resource, defining who, where, 4.2 The struggle of governing the commons
when, how and for what purpose a specific frequency band
is used. The management of natural resources takes places in a
number of fields, as summarized in [38]. Thus, the general
4.1 Spectrum governance models rules for the governance of natural common pool resources
can help in the spectrum management domain in the
Spectrum management coordinates the use of this scarce development of efficient mechanisms for the future wireless
resource between the different wireless systems resulting in systems including 6G. Promising strategies from the
complicated governance of public goods [31]. Successful management of natural resources through adaptive
spectrum management requires the balancing of conflicting governance in [38] include involving interested partied in
stakeholder claims on the use of the precious resource. Any informed discussion of rules (analytical deliberation),
wireless system, existing or entrant, needs to operate in allocation of authority to allow for adaptive governance at
accordance with the Radio Regulations of the ITU-R. multiple levels from local to global (nesting) and employing
a mixture of institutional types (institutional variety).
In general, spectrum management attempts to maximize the
value of spectrum, its efficient utilization, and its benefits to Anker proposed a new spectrum governance process where
society [32]. The choices spectrum regulators make in their the role of the government shifts from a controller of to a
allocation and authorization decisions define the market facilitator of decentralized coordination in a multi-actor
structures. They aim to be effective by allocating spectrum governance process in [31]. This process implements both
to the right use, and efficient by assigning it to those who spectrum property rights and an unlicensed commons
value it the most [32]. The time spans in spectrum approach to optimize the functioning of the market where the
management are long, often decades, and these decisions are role of government remains as a monitor of the system, to
meant to define the markets for long periods. The general guide or correct the market, if necessary. New spectrum
goal of maximizing the value of spectrum and its efficient sharing arrangements are promoted, which can benefit from
use can be interpreted in many different ways, leading to a platform to build trust among stakeholders. Such a process
different outcomes between countries. This decision making is needed for future wireless systems.
has had enormous political and economic significance over
several decades, see [33]. The 5G spectrum awards decisions show an interesting step
towards the 6G era. European pioneer bands for 5G include
Spectrum governance models can be divided into 700 MHz, 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz and their awards are
administrative allocation, market-based mechanisms and the completed in several countries. Recent analyses of the
unlicensed commons approach [6]. Administrative outcomes have shown high divergence in the approaches
allocation, also known as hierarchical command and control taken by regulators in 5G, especially the emergence of local
approach, was traditionally used to give spectrum access 5G networks by non-MNO stakeholders is treated very
rights to those requesting them [34]. The regulator decides differently [6]. The bands have very distinct propagation
who gets the spectrum access rights using its own criteria characteristics resulting in different suitable deployment
through e.g., direct awards or beauty contests. Market-based models. However, some countries have used exactly the
mechanisms are nowadays typically used for commercial same awarding mechanisms for all bands while others have
wireless communications such as mobile communication introduced different methods. This has led to market
networks [33, 35]. They define spectrum property rights fragmentation, especially regarding the availability of local
which are distributed to stakeholders via market mechanisms, spectrum licenses as proposed in [5]. Table 1 summarizes
such as auctions, introducing the value of spectrum as a different spectrum management approaches in the context of
decision-making factor. Often secondary spectrum markets 5G, with a focus on how local networks are considered.

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