Delicense lower 6GHz for WiFi 7, digital transformation initiatives: IAFI to Scindia
NEW DELHI: The ITU-APT Foundation of India (
IAFI
) has urged the Central government to delicense the lower portion of the
6GHz band
– 5925–6425 MHz – to support next-generation WiFi connectivity in the country and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.
IAFI's statement follows a recent decision by the Ministry of Communications to open new frequency bands for mobile services, particularly the upper 6GHz portion, for 5G and 6G.
The non-profit has sought the government to unlock the lower 6GHz band to enable high-speed, low-latency Wi-Fi 7 services in India.
'The 5925–6425 MHz band—also referred to as the lower 6 GHz band—has already been delicensed for Wi-Fi use in more than 100 countries globally, including the United States, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea,' Bharat Bhatia, president, IAFI, said in a recent letter to
Jyotiraditya Scindia
, union telecom minister.
'In India, where initiatives such as
BharatNet
and PM-WANI are expanding broadband access to rural and underserved areas, there is an urgent need for additional unlicensed spectrum to prevent network congestion and deliver seamless, high-speed connectivity,' Bhatia added.
He said delicensing lower 6GHz band would also enable the next wave of digital innovation, empowering rural communities, and supporting India's global leadership in software, AR/VR, and device manufacturing.
IAFI argued that co-existence studies, including those by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Space, have shown that low-power and very low-power Wi-Fi operations can coexist with satellite services.
'Given the lack of global infrastructure in this band for mobile use, auctioning this spectrum is unlikely to generate any significant revenue,' it added.
IAFI's letter follows a similar letter by the Broadband India Forum (BIF) to Scindia recently, wherein BIF sought the opening up of the entire 6GHz for WiFi, citing that delays in delicensing these airwaves are causing an annual loss of ₹12.7 lakh crore to the Indian exchequer.
Prior to this, the GSMA wrote to Neeraj Mittal, secretary,
Department of Telecommunications
recommending that India should include the 6GHz band (6.425-7.125GHz) in the next spectrum auction, as these airwaves will be crucial for telecom carriers to support the expansion of fifth-generation or 5G mobile services and will strengthen the country's competitiveness.
GSMA's stance has been supported by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), whichg represents telecom incumbents
Reliance Jio
,
Bharti Airtel
, and
Vodafone Idea
(Vi).
The government, though, hasn't set any time frame for the next round of airwave auctions.
Notably, airwaves in the mid-band and some portion of the 6GHz are currently being used by the ministries of space, defence, information and broadcasting, railways, and housing and urban affairs.
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