Why in News?

The Indian government has proposed licence-free use of a part of the 6GHz spectrum, enabling faster WiFi and better connectivity.

This move benefits tech giants like Sony, Apple, and Meta by supporting high-speed performance for devices like PlayStation Pro and VR gear.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Wireless Connectivity
• The 6 GHz Spectrum: The New Frontier for Wi-Fi
• India Opens Part of 6GHz Spectrum for Licence-Free WiFi Use
• India’s 6GHz WiFi Move – A Boost for Tech, But Not Without Concerns
• Global Approach to 6GHz Spectrum: A Mixed Landscape

Wireless Connectivity

• Wireless devices exchange data via radio waves, which are defined by wavelength and frequency.
• Frequency impacts: Data capacity; Speed of transmission; Range.
• Understanding the Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz
  • These bands represent specific parts of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum allocated for unlicensed wireless use.
  • 2.4 GHz: Longer range, slower speed, more interference
  • 5 GHz: Faster speed, shorter range, more congestion
  • 6 GHz: Fastest speed, least congestion, shorter range, exclusive to latest devices

The 6 GHz Spectrum: The New Frontier for Wi-Fi

• Offers 1200 MHz of spectrum—more than double that of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz combined.
• Supports seven 160 MHz channels for high-speed data transmission.
• Accessible only via Wi-Fi 6E devices.
• Use Cases of 6 GHz Band
  • Ideal for real-time applications like gaming, 4K/8K streaming, video conferencing, and cloud computing
  • Reduces network clutter by avoiding interference from older devices
  • Enables multi-device homes with smooth performance

India Opens Part of 6GHz Spectrum for Licence-Free WiFi Use

• The Indian government has proposed making a portion of the 6GHz spectrum (5925–6425 MHz) licence-free, enabling faster WiFi.
• Spectrum Dispute: Telcos vs Tech Giants
  • Telecom companies (Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea) wanted the full 6GHz band reserved for licensed 5G/6G services.
  • In contrast, tech companies advocated for de-licensing to boost WiFi performance.
• India’s Middle Path
  • Unlike the U.S., which has made the entire 1200 MHz of the 6GHz band unlicensed, India has chosen a balanced approach by opening only the lower 500 MHz (5925–6425 MHz) for unlicensed use.
• ITU Guidelines Influence Decision
  • The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in December 2023 had allocated the upper band (6425–7125 MHz) for licensed mobile operations, which India has adhered to in its draft policy.
• Impact
  • This move is expected to improve WiFi speeds across homes and enterprises, benefiting tech ecosystems while preserving space for future mobile technologies.

India’s 6GHz WiFi Move – A Boost for Tech, But Not Without Concerns

• Licence-Free WiFi Access in 6GHz Band
  • As per the proposal, no authorisation or frequency assignment will be needed for operating low-power indoor and very low-power outdoor wireless systems, such as WiFi networks, in the 5925–6425 MHz frequency band.
• A Boost for Next-Gen WiFi and IoT
  • Tech companies believe the move will support the adoption of next-generation WiFi technologies like WiFi 6E and WiFi 7.
  • These technologies offer significantly faster speeds and are crucial for the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT).
• Sony May Reconsider PS5 Pro Launch in India
  • Due to earlier regulatory uncertainty over the 6GHz band, Sony had excluded India from the PS5 Pro launch.
  • With the new draft rules, the company may now include India in its launch plans.
• Industry Says Partial Spectrum Not Enough
  • Despite welcoming the move, industry experts emphasized that just a fraction of the 6GHz band is insufficient to unlock the full potential of WiFi 6E and 7.
  • The Forum urges the government to free up more of the band to fully support India’s digital infrastructure goals.
• The Bigger Picture
  • While the draft policy marks a major step for tech firms and connectivity, stakeholders stress that broader de-licensing is necessary for long-term digital growth and innovation.

Global Approach to 6GHz Spectrum: A Mixed Landscape

• Full Delicensing: U.S. and Canada Lead
  • In April 2020, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened the entire 6GHz band (1200 MHz) for license-exempt uses.
  • Canada has adopted a similar policy, fully supporting next-gen WiFi technologies.
• Partial Delicensing: Cautious Optimism
  • Countries like Japan, Australia, and Singapore have only delicensed a portion of the 6GHz spectrum for WiFi use, aiming to strike a balance between telecom and unlicensed wireless applications.
• Revisions and Debates: Chile and Mexico
  • Chile initially opted to open the full band for WiFi but later reversed its decision.
  • Meanwhile, Mexico is currently evaluating the possibility of broader harmonisation of the 6GHz spectrum for unlicensed use.
• Conclusion: Diverse Regulatory Paths
  • While the global trend supports expanding WiFi access through the 6GHz band, approaches vary significantly, reflecting different national priorities and technological strategies.