India de-licenses lower 6 GHz spectrum to boost Wi-Fi and broadband

Core Viewpoint - The Department of Telecom (DoT) has de-licensed 500 megahertz of spectrum in the lower frequency range of the 6 GHz band, which is expected to enhance Wi-Fi services in India, following a prior announcement made in May 2025 [1] Group 1: De-licensing and Spectrum Allocation - The DoT's notification allows for licence-free use of wireless equipment for low power indoor and very low power outdoor wireless access systems in the frequency band 5925-6425 MHz [2] - The National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) has identified upper frequencies in the 6 GHz spectrum band (6425-7125 MHz) for advanced mobile services, solidifying the basis for spectrum allocation [3] Group 2: Industry Reactions and Implications - Major US tech companies, including Apple, Amazon, and Meta, have called for the de-licensing of the entire 1200 megahertz spectrum in the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi services, while Reliance Jio has requested that this spectrum be included in upcoming auctions [4] - The DoT's notification limits signal emission power, making it suitable for Wi-Fi device operations but not for high-power mobile antennas [5] - The Wi-Fi in the lower 6 GHz band is expected to complement the rollout of 5G networks and support future 6G readiness, enhancing indoor broadband experiences and Wi-Fi speeds [6] Group 3: Technical Considerations - The proposed low power levels for outdoor usage (up to 0.1 milliwatt) will support industrial automation and AI, but there is a call for higher power levels (up to 4 watts) for larger venues [7] - The regulation balances growth with safety by capping Low Power Indoor (LPI) at 30 dBm and Very Low Power (VLP) at 14 dBm, ensuring high-speed connectivity while protecting critical services from interference [9] Group 4: Future Prospects - The decision to de-license the lower 6 GHz band is seen as a pivotal step for India's wireless ecosystem, enabling the deployment of Wi-Fi 7 technologies while maintaining strict power and safety controls [11] - The policy aligns with international security frameworks, establishing a foundation for secure, high-performance connectivity and reinforcing India's role in next-generation networking solutions [12]