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India’s 6GHz Wi‑Fi: Why Telecom Giants Are Worried

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India is on the verge of unlocking a massive upgrade in internet connectivity. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed to delicense the lower part of the 6GHz band (5.925–6.425 GHz) for low-power indoor and very-low-power outdoor use, bringing Wi‑Fi 6E and Wi‑Fi 7 support a step closer to reality.

While this is great news for consumers and broadband users, it’s also stirring controversy—India’s major telecom companies are not happy, and here’s why.

🚀 Why the 6GHz Band Is a Game Changer

The 6GHz band brings a clean, wide, and high-performance frequency range for Wi-Fi. Compared to older bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz), this new section offers:

  • Massive bandwidth: Supports faster speeds—up to 9.6 Gbps with Wi‑Fi 6E and even more with Wi‑Fi 7
  • Low interference: Because it’s freshly opened, the band is much cleaner and more stable
  • Lower latency: Ideal for gaming, streaming, smart homes, and real-time apps
  • Room for more devices: Crucial for homes with many smart gadgets

In other words, this band is tailor-made for high-performance internet in 2025 and beyond.

⚖️ The Conflict: Why Telecom Giants Are Protesting

Indian telecom operators—especially Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea—are opposing the move to open this frequency band for unlicensed use.

Their Argument:

  • Lost Revenue Opportunity: Telcos argue that this premium band should be auctioned, not given away for free. They see this as a potential revenue stream for future 5G Advanced or 6G mobile networks.
  • Unfair Advantage to ISPs: If ISPs and Wi-Fi service providers can use it freely, telecoms fear losing market share in indoor high-speed data usage, especially in urban areas where fiber-backed Wi-Fi could dominate.
  • Network Interference Risk: Some telcos claim that widespread unregulated use could cause interference or overlap with licensed operations (though technically low-power indoor Wi-Fi poses minimal risk).

Counterpoint:

Global regulators including the U.S., UK, South Korea, EU, and Australia have already opened this band for Wi-Fi use without auctions. The logic is that Wi-Fi is a public utility, and freeing up spectrum helps more people connect faster without overloading cellular towers.

India now seems to be following this consumer-first path—but with pushback from big mobile players.

📊 Comparing Wi‑Fi Bands

Feature2.4GHz5GHz6GHz (New)
Speed~100 Mbps max~1 Gbps max9.6 Gbps or higher
ChannelsCrowded, fewModerateWide, clean
LatencyHighMediumVery low
RangeLongest, good through wallsMediumShorter, less wall penetration
Use CaseBrowsing, IoTStreaming, GamingVR, 8K, low-lag apps

📅 When Will This Be Available?

  • Current Draft Status: As of June 2025, the draft policy is under review after public consultation.
  • Expected Final Approval: Likely by end of June or July 2025, with actual consumer devices ready to utilize it by late 2025.
  • Upper Band (6.425–7.125 GHz): Still reserved for future 5G/6G use; not yet open to public or unlicensed use.

So for now, only the lower 500 MHz chunk is being freed.

🛒 Planning to Buy a 6GHz-Ready Router? Here’s What to Look For

To take full advantage of 6GHz Wi-Fi when it goes live, your router must meet certain hardware standards—not all current models will support it.

✅ Hardware Features to Check Before Buying:

  • Tri-band support: Must support 2.4GHz + 5GHz + 6GHz simultaneously
  • Wi‑Fi 6E or Wi‑Fi 7 certification: Wi‑Fi 5/6 routers do not support the new 6GHz band
  • Support for WPA3 encryption: Ensures secure communication on newer bands
  • OFDMA & MU-MIMO: Advanced technologies that enable faster and more efficient connections across multiple devices
  • Mesh compatibility: If you have a large home or thick walls, mesh-ready hardware will help distribute the signal
  • Firmware readiness for India: Ensure your router’s regional firmware will unlock the 6GHz band once India officially enables it

⚠️ Reminder: Not all Wi‑Fi 6E/7 routers sold abroad will have 6GHz enabled by default in India. Look for India-certified versions or wait for firmware updates.

🧠 Final Words

India’s decision to open part of the 6GHz spectrum marks a new chapter in digital connectivity. For consumers, it promises faster Wi-Fi, better stability, and real readiness for next-gen tech like AR/VR, 8K streaming, and cloud gaming.

At the same time, it’s creating friction with India’s powerful telecom lobby. As the nation aims to balance consumer interest vs spectrum monetization, the coming months will reveal how boldly India pushes forward.

If you’re planning to upgrade your home network, just make sure your router is tri-band, Wi-Fi 6E or 7 certified, and future-proofed for when the 6GHz green light is finally official.

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