India’s Wi-Fi Future at a Crossroads: Tech Giants Push for 6 GHz Band Delicensing

Leading technology firms, including Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, have urged the Indian government to delicense the 6 GHz Wi-Fi band, citing an estimated annual economic loss of Rs 12.7 lakh crore due to policy delays. The Broadband India Forum (BIF), representing these companies, has emphasized that the frequency is critical for next-generation digital experiences, including AR/VR headsets, smart glasses, and Wi-Fi 6E/7-compatible devices.  

 

Currently, over 84 countries have opened up part or all of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, allowing seamless connectivity and innovation. However, India risks falling behind due to regulatory inertia. The BIF argues that more than 80% of internet data in India is consumed indoors, where 5G in the 3.5 GHz band faces signal strength issues. Wi-Fi 6E/7 in the 6 GHz band is seen as the only scalable, cost-effective solution to bridge this gap.  

 

The push for delicensing comes after the government’s decision earlier this year to auction the 6 GHz spectrum to telecom operators instead of making it available for unlicensed use. The move was supported by the GSMA, which urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to include the band in upcoming spectrum auctions. However, BIF has now sought an urgent meeting with Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to highlight the strategic, economic, and technological imperatives of opening up the band for unlicensed use.  

 

An independent economic study by Columbia University’s Raúl L. Katz, commissioned by the Dynamic Spectrum Alliance, estimates the cumulative economic value of delicensing the 6 GHz band at $4.03 trillion (Rs 34.25 lakh crore). The United States’ Federal Communications Commission has projected an economic benefit of more than $150 billion over 10 years by delicensing the full 6 GHz band.  

 

BIF has urged the government to immediately open at least 660 MHz of the band, similar to Australia’s approach, to allow two simultaneous 320 MHz channels—essential for high-throughput applications. The industry body insists that the ecosystem is already ready, with routers and consumer devices supporting the band globally, but policy clarity remains the missing piece.  

 

Sources: Economic Times, TelecomTalk, Financial Express.