US Tech Giants Advocate for Full 6GHz Band Wi-Fi Usage Amid Jio and Vi’s Mobile Allocation Push
US technology giants, including Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, HP, and Intel, have united in opposition to requests from Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea for the allocation of spectrum in the 6GHz band for mobile services. Instead, they advocate for the entire band to be reserved exclusively for Wi-Fi applications. This stance was articulated in a joint response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) regarding the upcoming spectrum auctions, where the companies expressed concerns about the technical and commercial readiness of the 6GHz band for mobile use.
Concerns Over Spectrum Allocation
In their submission, the tech giants emphasized that the readiness of the 6GHz band for mobile services has not been sufficiently established. They urged the Indian government to refrain from setting auction timelines for the 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz frequency ranges. The companies suggested that Trai and the Department of Telecommunications should conduct a thorough review of the upper 6GHz band following the outcomes of the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027. They also proposed that any unused spectrum in this range should be made available for unlicensed use in the interim, which would facilitate Wi-Fi services.
The Indian government has indicated that 400 MHz of 6GHz spectrum is available for immediate auction, with an additional 300 MHz expected to be available by 2030. Furthermore, 500 MHz in the lower band is set to be delicensed for low-power applications, such as Wi-Fi. This development has sparked a debate among telecom operators regarding the best use of the 6GHz band.
Telecom Operators’ Demands
Reliance Jio has called for the inclusion of the entire 1200 MHz available in the 6GHz band in the upcoming auction, despite the government’s decision to delicence 500 MHz in the lower range. Vodafone Idea has also requested the sale of the 400 MHz currently available for use. Meanwhile, Airtel has urged the government to postpone the auction of the 6GHz band, citing concerns over device availability, equipment readiness, and the need for global harmonization.
Qualcomm has echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the upper 6GHz band is crucial for the growth of mobile services in India. The company advocates for deferring the auction until after the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027, arguing that this would help India align with global standards and secure its leadership aspirations in the telecommunications sector.
Industry Response and Implications
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents members including Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has voiced strong opposition to the idea of delicensing the spectrum. They argue that delicensing could be misleading and counterproductive, as licensed IMT spectrum ensures quality of service, predictable performance, and nationwide scalability. COAI warns that allowing unlicensed Wi-Fi deployments could diminish government revenues and provide an unfair advantage to foreign over-the-top (OTT) players.
The newly identified frequency ranges of 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz are part of the upper 6GHz spectrum, while the 5925-6425 MHz band has been designated for unlicensed low-power applications. The ongoing discussions and decisions surrounding the allocation of this spectrum will significantly impact the future of mobile and Wi-Fi services in India, as stakeholders navigate the balance between innovation and regulatory frameworks.
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