# Agriculture 5.0 in Colombia: Opportunities Through the Emerging 6G Network
## 4 Results and Discussion
### Future Challenges for 6G Implementation in Colombia  
6G still faces significant challenges from both technical and regulatory perspectives. Various stakeholders, including regulators, manufacturers, and operators, must address several critical issues before technology can become a reality by 2030. Nonetheless, notable progress has been reported, particularly in the outcomes of AR-23 and within the specialized working groups focused on 6G development. About spectrum availability and the frequency bands anticipated for 6G operations, a certain degree of consensus has already been reached. The 6G Spectrum report identifies three key frequency ranges required to support the full range of 6G use cases: (1) below 1 GHz, (2) between 1 GHz and 15 GHz, and (3) above 15 GHz [53]. The sub-1 GHz band will remain critical for expanding coverage in both urban and rural environments due to its favorable propagation characteristics, including low signal attenuation. This range will also support massive IoT applications, ensuring seamless connectivity for smart cities and autonomous devices. For instance, Europe plans to utilize the 700 MHz band, while the United States may employ the 600 MHz band to support foundational 6G services. The 1-15 GHz range offers an optimal balance between coverage and capacity, making it suitable for next-generation mobile services. Countries such as Spain, Germany, and Japan are expected to allocate these frequencies to enhance Al-driven networks, edge computing platforms, and immersive mobile experiences. Frequencies above 15 GHz, particularly within the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) spectrum, will be relevant for enabling ultra-high-speed communications. These bands will support advanced applications such as holographic transmissions, 3D Internet experiences, and real-time digital twin technologies. Moreover, their extreme data handling capacity will enable transformative innovations including wireless fiber, 8K/16K streaming, and quantum-secure communications [21]. With respect to the Colombian scenario, there is still no defined roadmap for the implementation of 6G, and several regulatory aspects need to be revised to meet the spectrum requirements that this technology will demand. Through its Master Plan for Spectrum Management 2022-2026 [54], the ANE has acknowledged the need to anticipate future spectrum demand for the deployment of IMT broadband networks. To this end, it has proposed conducting technical, economic, regulatory, and social welfare studies. Despite the relevance of the topic, tangible progress remains limited. Nonetheless, initiatives such as the public consultation on prospective IMT frequency bands [55], and the creation of the Digital Connectivity Expansion Plan [56], represent noteworthy steps forward. However, all this uncertainty reduces the incentive for key stakeholders in the governing sector to invest in rural infrastructure, particularly in agricultural areas, where recovering investments and generating profits is more challenging due to the fact that a significant portion of the population lives in poverty [57]. Furthermore, the current legal framework focuses on generating economic returns through high fees for spectrum licensing, overlooking policy trends adopted in other countries that aim to maximize socioeconomic benefits and reduce the digital divide. This latter approach has proven effective in contexts with similar characteristics, such as Brazil and Guatema [57]. Among the actions that the Colombian government must accelerate is the allocation of the remaining spectrum available for IMT services. Currently, out of a total of 930 MHz available, 740 MHz have been assigned, leaving a remainder of 190 MHz. Figure 4 shows the IMT bands with assigned spectrum usage permits in Colombia. Figure 4 shows that Colombia, unlike other countries, has not allocated spectrum blocks in frequencies above 6 GHz, thereby missing the opportunity to use bands that offer greater bandwidth capacity [58].