The Indian government has opened up the lower 6 GHz band, covering frequencies from 5925 MHz to 6425 MHz, for unlicensed use, aiming to enhance Wi-Fi performance and enable Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 technologies. This move is expected to deliver faster internet, smoother gaming, high-quality video calls, and improved device-to-device connectivity without requiring more power from Wi-Fi routers. Devices like the latest Sony PlayStation consoles and AR and VR gadgets from leading global brands could now launch in India alongside other markets.
According to the official notification issued by the Ministry of Communications on January 20, low-power indoor and very low-power outdoor devices can now operate in this spectrum without a license. This applies to equipment such as radio local area networks operating on a non-exclusive, shared basis under non-interference conditions. However, the rules restrict the use of this spectrum in land vehicles including cars and trains, boats, and aircraft below 10,000 feet, as well as for controlling drones and unmanned aerial systems.
Devices using the band must follow technical conditions such as employing a contention-based protocol and having integrated antennas designed to meet prescribed emission and bandwidth standards. Experts see this spectrum allocation supporting high data-demand scenarios including smart factories, enterprise connectivity, AI, AR, and VR applications. “This move will be critical in addressing India’s rapidly growing data consumption, supporting dense indoor and enterprise environments, and enabling emerging use cases including Industry 4.0, smart manufacturing, digital healthcare, smart campuses, and the expansion of digital public infrastructure. Affordable, high-throughput, and low-latency Wi-Fi is increasingly becoming the backbone of India’s digital economy, complementing mobile networks and strengthening last-mile connectivity across sectors,” said the national cellular and electronics association.
The decision follows consultations where telecom providers had opposed allocating the lower 6 GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use, preferring auctions for mobile communications. Technology companies, on the other hand, supported opening the spectrum for broader applications. “This reform will also strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem by accelerating demand for advanced Wi-Fi equipment, semiconductors, and network devices, thereby reinforcing the objectives of Make in India and self-reliance,” added the association chairman. Telecom carriers had argued that the full 1200 MHz 6 GHz band should go to mobile services, but the government has now balanced the spectrum use for both Wi-Fi growth and industry needs.
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