- By Alex David
- Mon, 24 Nov 2025 09:48 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India’s telecom industry and global tech companies are headed for a major clash over how the 6 GHz spectrum should be used. Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea want it allocated for mobile networks to boost 5G capacity and eventually support 6G rollout. But US tech giants, including Apple, Meta, Intel, Amazon, HP, and Cisco, argue the band simply isn’t ready for commercial mobile deployment. Their joint submission to TRAI claims the 6 GHz band should remain licence-free for Wi-Fi, not mobile services. With TRAI reviewing public comments, the decision could shape India’s connectivity landscape for the next decade.
Why US Tech Companies Oppose Mobile Use of 6 GHz
The coalition of US firms has raised several concerns:
- The 6 GHz band hasn’t been sufficiently tested for large-scale mobile deployment.
- Early use for mobile could trigger performance, reliability and interoperability issues.
- Using it for Wi-Fi instead would immediately improve high-speed connectivity for gaming consoles, AR/VR devices, laptops, and other bandwidth-heavy hardware.
- Licence-exempt access would reduce rollout costs and speed up adoption across homes, offices, and public spaces.
- They also note that over 35 countries—including the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Australia—have already opened most of the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi.
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The Indian Government’s Current Thinking
India has been evaluating whether parts of the 6 GHz band should be released for licence-free Wi-Fi. The move would:
- Improve broadband penetration
- Reduce hardware barriers for device manufacturers
- Deliver faster Wi-Fi speeds in homes and enterprises
- Encourage innovation in AR/VR, cloud gaming and smart devices
Tech companies argue that adopting the global Wi-Fi-first approach would give Indian users better performance at a lower cost.
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Where Telecom Operators Stand
Jio and Vi see the 6GHz band as critical for:
- Expanding 5G mid-band capacity
- Managing rising mobile data demand
- Future-readying India’s networks for 6G
If TRAI sides with the tech giants, operators may be forced to rethink long-term network strategy — or rely more heavily on existing mid-band and millimetre-wave frequencies.
Final Thoughts
The 6GHz decision is more than a technical choice — it shapes how India will connect its next hundred million users. Giving the band to mobile operators supports long-term telecom growth, but keeping it open for Wi-Fi immediately boosts high-speed access for consumers, gadgets and emerging technologies. TRAI’s ruling will affect telcos, device makers, enterprise networks and everyday users, making it one of the most consequential spectrum decisions in years.
