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Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Broadband India Forum lauds government's move to open 6 GHz spectrum
New Delhi: On the occasion of World Wi-Fi Day , TV Ramachandran , President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), hailed the government's recent decision to delicense 500 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum , calling it a significant move for India's digital future. Speaking to at an event in Delhi, Ramachandran emphasised the importance of the decision, which had been under consideration for several years. "Today was a very important event... In particular circumstances today, the government has recently launched 500 MHz of delicensed 6 GHz spectrum that has been in the works for the last 3 or 4 years. And it's a great step, probably the first step towards that direction, and this is going to help innovation, R&D, and connectivity for high-data applications..." he said. The decision came as part of India's efforts to improve digital access, promote Wi-Fi connectivity , and boost innovation and research in the high-speed wireless data space. The 6 GHz band is expected to play a major role in enhancing Wi-Fi services, especially for bandwidth-heavy applications such as online education, remote work, telemedicine, and IoT (Internet of Things). Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as "an invisible force capable of powering visible change," Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. "Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot," said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages.
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
World Wi-Fi Day: Broadband India Forum President lauds govt's move to open 6 GHz spectrum
New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): On the occasion of World Wi-Fi Day, TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), hailed the government's recent decision to delicense 500 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum, calling it a significant move for India's digital future. Speaking to ANI at an event in Delhi, Ramachandran emphasised the importance of the decision, which had been under consideration for several years. 'Today was a very important event... In particular circumstances today, the government has recently launched 500 MHz of delicensed 6 GHz spectrum that has been in the works for the last 3 or 4 years. And it's a great step, probably the first step towards that direction, and this is going to help innovation, R&D, and connectivity for high-data applications...' he said. The decision came as part of India's efforts to improve digital access, promote Wi-Fi connectivity, and boost innovation and research in the high-speed wireless data space. The 6 GHz band is expected to play a major role in enhancing Wi-Fi services, especially for bandwidth-heavy applications such as online education, remote work, telemedicine, and IoT (Internet of Things). Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as 'an invisible force capable of powering visible change,' Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. 'Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot,' said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. (ANI)
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Delicensing lower 6GHz for Wi-Fi a ‘necessity', industry should produce affordable devices: Jyotiraditya Scindia
NEW DELHI: Terming the Central government's decision to delicense the lower 6GHz band was a 'necessity', Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia Tuesday said this will boost innovation across industries and help drive entrepreneurial opportunities across India. 'We have now delicensed and awarded the lower portion of the 6GHz spectrum, which is not a luxury today, it is a necessity. And that will give our industry multi-gigabit speeds, ultra-low latency, low-cost digital highways that will spawn multiple businesses and opportunities,' Scindia said at a Wi-Fi event organised by the Broadband India Forum (BIF). The mid-band 6GHz comprises 1200MHz of spectrum, ranging from 5925MHz to 7125MHz. Recently, the Centre delicensed the lower portion, between 5925MHz to 6425MHz for Wi-Fi use, which will propel technologies such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 . Over 84 countries, including the US, UK and South Korea among others have already delicensed the 6 GHz band for WiFi services. Wi-Fi services in India are currently offered using the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which have become congested lately and cannot adequately support innovative use cases and applications such as the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), 4K streaming, cloud gaming, and others. The government's decision had come on the back of a stiff tug-of-war between the Wi-Fi broadband companies and the telecom carriers, with the latter seeking the entire 6GHz band to densify fifth-generation or 5G services nationwide and to support 6G networks of the future. Scindia said policy rules for 6GHz band will be released by August 15 this year. 'I guarantee that our rules for this will be out either on or before Independence Day of this year,' he added. The union minister said that Wi-Fi penetration has to be deep and wide nationwide, drawing similarity to the availability of 5G networks across India within 22 months of commercial launch on the back of an investment of about ₹5 lakh crores. The latest generation mobile networks today services nearly 99% of districts and 82% of population. READ MORE | 6GHz delicensing: India needs to assume 'statesman role' for 5G, 6G spectrum, says GSMA 'India's grassroots connectivity is rooted in simplicity, driven by inclusion, and blessed by innovation. These are the three characters of this (Wi-Fi) industry which will help multiple industries to flourish,' Scindia said. He underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. Citing the success of India's low-cost data model, ₹9 per GB compared to the global average of $2.49, he praised India's leadership in telecom affordability. India, in December 2020, had launched its ambitious PM-WANI initiative to boost the penetration of public Wi-Fi hotspots in the country, and drive affordable access to the internet in rural and urban regions. However, the progress of deployment of PM-WANI-compliant hotspots has been mired by challenges, including high backhaul costs and a lack of monetisation opportunities. There are currently 333,294 PM-WANI hotspots available in India, according to the latest data from the central registry. Citing research, the union minister noted that India's telecom sector (by revenue) will grow from about $15 billion currently to nearly $70 billion by 2035, and by then, Wi-Fi segment will account for a revenue of approximately $22 billion. 'That's the steep path of growth, and India is the only country that provides this exponential growth,' he said. Scindia urged the industry, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and device makers to produce network and user devices at affordable costs for driving Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 proliferation. 'We cannot allow devices to become the new digital divide in our country,' he said.
India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Wi-Fi segment to be worth $22 billion by 2035 in India: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as 'an invisible force capable of powering visible change,' Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. 'Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot,' said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. Citing the success of India's low-cost data model, Rs 9 per GB compared to the global average of $2.49, he praised India's leadership in telecom affordability. Highlighting the recent de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum, the Minister said this move will enable multi-gigabit speeds and low-cost digital highways across India. Policy rules for the same will be announced before Independence Day 2025, he added. Scindia also called on industry stakeholders to innovate for affordable devices, ensuring that hardware does not become the next barrier to connectivity. 'Connectivity is not a commodity; it is an act of nation-building,' he concluded, urging collective commitment to light up every rural home, empower every aspiring mind, and fortify public services with the power of Wi-Fi. (ANI)
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Business Standard
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Wi-Fi segment to be worth $22 bn by 2035 in India: Jyotiraditya Scindia
Highlighting the recent de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum, the Minister said this move will enable multi-gigabit speeds and low-cost digital highways across India ANI General News Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as "an invisible force capable of powering visible change," Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. "Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot," said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. Citing the success of India's low-cost data model, Rs 9 per GB compared to the global average of $2.49, he praised India's leadership in telecom affordability. Highlighting the recent de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum, the Minister said this move will enable multi-gigabit speeds and low-cost digital highways across India. Policy rules for the same will be announced before Independence Day 2025, he added. Scindia also called on industry stakeholders to innovate for affordable devices, ensuring that hardware does not become the next barrier to connectivity. "Connectivity is not a commodity; it is an act of nation-building," he concluded, urging collective commitment to light up every rural home, empower every aspiring mind, and fortify public services with the power of Wi-Fi. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
