The landscape of wireless communication is undergoing a notable transformation as countries worldwide move to delicense the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for unlicensed Wi-Fi use. This shift signifies a major step in spectrum management aimed at accelerating digital transformation, improving connectivity, and fostering innovation in technology and industry. Countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, and many others have embraced this approach, opening the door for advanced wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 7 to flourish on a wider and less congested spectrum band. India’s recent proposal of draft rules to delicense the same lower 6 GHz band reflects a global momentum toward enhancing access to high-speed wireless communication without the bureaucratic hurdles of licensing. This move carries significant technical, economic, and regulatory implications that will shape the future of wireless infrastructure development and digital economy growth.
Across the globe, over 100 countries have recognized the value of opening up the 5925-6425 MHz band for unlicensed use. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States has adopted regulations permitting both standard power and low power indoor operations within this band. This strategic decision aims to support next-generation Wi-Fi technologies such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, which require wider channels to deliver the high throughput, low latency, and improved reliability necessary for emerging applications like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and smart manufacturing.
India’s Department of Telecommunications has recently proposed draft rules to follow suit, enabling wireless equipment to operate license-free in the lower 6 GHz band while adhering to technical constraints that ensure unlicensed devices do not interfere with existing incumbent services. This approach balances innovation with operational safety and signal coexistence. It also aligns well with India’s broader goals to bolster domestic manufacturing of telecom equipment, stimulate innovation ecosystems, and boost exports, reflecting ambitions articulated at forums such as the 4th Indian Spectrum Management Conference 2024. Scholars and think tanks, including the Centre for Internet and Society, have emphasized that delicensing this spectrum is critical for supporting the next wave of Wi-Fi advancements and expanding digital infrastructure across the country.
The economic impact of delicensing the lower 6 GHz band is poised to be substantial. By unlocking access to a premium range of frequencies, it enables new opportunities for enhanced wireless connectivity that can drive digital transformation in multiple sectors. An economic study presented at the Indian Spectrum Management conference assessed the value creation potential from 6 GHz Wi-Fi at approximately Rs. 25,000 crores. This figure links directly to expected growth in domestic telecom equipment manufacturing, innovation-led export expansion, and broader stimulation of digital economy activities. The expansion of spectrum for unlicensed use fosters competition and lowers barriers to entry for device manufacturers and service providers, which can accelerate innovation cycles and offer consumers better wireless services at reduced costs.
Technical advantages underpinning delicensing are equally significant. The 5925-6425 MHz band provides wide continuous bandwidth that is rare in the congested wireless landscape. Existing bands like 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz suffer from heavy device density, interference, and capacity limitations. By contrast, the lower 6 GHz band offers considerable room for broader data channels required by Wi-Fi 7 to deliver faster speeds, lower latency, and increased network capacity. This improved spectral environment supports a host of advanced applications—from the seamless interconnection of smart city infrastructures and Industry 4.0 automation frameworks to immersive media environments that demand high throughput and reliability. The open-access model inherent in delicensing also encourages a more inclusive market environment, helping smaller players innovate without the cost and complexity of spectrum licensing.
Despite these benefits, the delicensing of the lower 6 GHz band has sparked debate and concern among established telecom operators and industry bodies such as the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Telcos argue that reserving this band exclusively for licensed use is essential to ensuring adequate spectrum availability for the rollout and future expansion of 5G and forthcoming 6G cellular services. Their apprehensions revolve around potential spectrum scarcity and the resulting financial implications for government revenue—license fees from commercial carriers constitute a significant source of public funds. Furthermore, some claim that Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities could be realized using currently available or alternative spectrum bands, questioning the necessity of dedicating the 6 GHz band to unlicensed operation.
Proponents of delicensing counter these arguments by emphasizing that the growing demands of next-generation wireless applications necessitate large, contiguous blocks of spectrum like the 5925-6425 MHz band. They warn that limiting this band to licensed uses could stifle innovation and slow digital progress by restricting accessible bandwidth for unlicensed technologies that underpin many consumer and business applications. Regulatory authorities face the complex challenge of balancing these divergent interests — a task mirrored internationally. For instance, the UK’s Ofcom has carefully weighed the trade-offs in its regulation of the upper 6 GHz band (6425-7070 MHz), aiming to preserve market flexibility for both licensed mobile and unlicensed Wi-Fi uses. India’s final policy stance will similarly influence the trajectory of its network modernization and digital economy ambitions.
Overall, opening the lower 6 GHz band for unlicensed wireless use represents a pivotal step in the evolution of spectrum policy worldwide. It forms part of a larger trend toward unlocking premium spectrum for open, competitive access that fosters next-generation Wi-Fi technologies and broader digital innovation. India’s draft rules signify its intent to capitalize on this opportunity to push connectivity forward, enhance domestic tech manufacturing, and propel growth in the digital economy. Although concerns regarding spectrum allocation and revenue loss deserve thoughtful attention, the potential upside—improved wireless capacity, accelerated innovation, economic scale-up, and consumer benefit—is compelling. As policymakers, industry leaders, and regulators engage in dialogue, the resulting spectrum management strategies will play a decisive role in shaping more robust, inclusive, and future-proof wireless ecosystems.
By delicensing the lower 6 GHz band, the door is being opened to exploit the full capabilities of emerging technologies like Wi-Fi 7, smart cities, IoT networks, and more. This move promises to strengthen digital infrastructure and pave the way toward a more interconnected, digitally empowered society. The wireless world is gearing up for the next chapter, and the 6 GHz band is rapidly becoming the new frontier in the ongoing quest for faster, smarter, and more accessible connectivity.
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