US tech majors Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta jointly oppose Reliance Jio and VI’s demand on 6 GHz band spectrum

Core Viewpoint - US tech giants, including Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, HP, and Intel, oppose the allocation of the 6 GHz band for mobile services, advocating instead for its use for Wi-Fi services [1][2]. Group 1: Spectrum Allocation and Auction - The US technology companies argue that the technical and commercial readiness for mobile services in the 6 GHz band is not established [2]. - The government has indicated that 400 MHz of frequencies in the 6 GHz band are available for auction, with 300 MHz expected to be available by 2030 and 500 MHz to be delicensed for low power applications, primarily Wi-Fi [5][6]. - Reliance Jio has requested that the entire 1200 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band be included in the upcoming auction, despite the government's decision to delicence 500 MHz for low power applications [5][6]. Group 2: Industry Responses and Concerns - Airtel has also requested a deferment of the 6 GHz band auction due to ecosystem readiness challenges, including device availability and network equipment [7]. - Qualcomm supports the deferment, emphasizing the importance of aligning with global standards and safeguarding India's 6G future [8]. - The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) opposes the delicensing of the 6 GHz band, arguing that it undermines quality of service and scalability for digital applications [9][10]. Group 3: Implications of Delicensing - COAI warns that delicensing any part of the 6 GHz band could permanently limit its use for licensed mobile broadband services, affecting India's long-term digital capacity [10]. - Concerns are raised that unlicensed Wi-Fi deployments by global OTT players could disadvantage local telecom operators and reduce government revenues [11].