In a move that could significantly impact tech giants such as Meta, Google, and others, the department of telecommunications (DoT) has decided not to pursue the delicensing of new spectrum for Wi-Fi use, officials said.
The decision is seen as a potential obstacle to improving Wi-Fi quality, particularly for high-bandwidth applications. It could also delay the adoption of next-generation devices requiring enhanced spectrum, while stifling the development of the nascent Wi-Fi 6E equipment industry.
The 6 GHz spectrum has become a focal point of interest for both telecom operators and tech firms. Globally, countries like the United States have delicensed this spectrum for Wi-Fi, enabling faster connectivity and support for advanced technologies. However, India has chosen a different path.
The government plans to vacate around 600 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to allocate it for telecom operators. This will facilitate the rollout of 5G and 6G services.
Officials confirmed that the upper portion of the 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz) will be auctioned for telecom use. Of this, 300 MHz may be included in the upcoming spectrum auction, while the remaining 300 MHz is currently occupied and will require more time to vacate.
The lower part of the band (5925–6425 MHz), which is ideal for Wi-Fi, remains off-limits due to its use for strategic operations, including satellite communications by the space department. Officials said that India’s case differs from other countries because the 6 GHz spectrum is already occupied for satellite applications.
Tech companies, however, have rejected the government’s position. They argue that Wi-Fi’s low-power operations would not interfere with existing satellite services in the 6 GHz band. Presently, Wi-Fi networks in India operate in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
According to firms like Meta, access to the 6 GHz band is essential for supporting cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and advanced gaming. These applications require higher bandwidth and faster connectivity, which cannot be achieved with existing Wi-Fi frequencies.
The unavailability of the 6 GHz band in India has prevented the introduction of next-generation devices by global tech leaders. Industry executives highlighted that many AR/VR products from companies like Apple, Meta, Sony, and Google are skipping the Indian market due to spectrum limitations.
Alan Norman, director of public policy at Meta, said at an industry event last year, “Globally, billions of Wi-Fi devices are scheduled to be shipped in the 6 GHz band. This represents a significant opportunity cost for India as the country misses out on experiencing these advancements”.
Sony, for instance, has stated that its PlayStation 5 Pro will not be launched in India due to the absence of the 6 GHz spectrum. Similarly, Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses have yet to debut in the Indian market.
Experts note that Wi-Fi 6E-certified devices often face performance issues, including overheating, when connected to lower bands like 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, especially on high-speed 5G networks.
On January 17, the Broadband India Forum (BIF) urged the government to reconsider its decision and delicense the 6 GHz spectrum. According to BIF president TV Ramachandran, the long-term economic benefits of delicensing the spectrum by 2030 far outweigh the short-term revenues from auctioning the band to telecom operators.
