The 6 GHz Band: A Critical Hurdle for India's Digital Future
Explore the urgent need for delicensing the lower 6 GHz band and its potential impact on India's digital economy. Discover why immediate action is crucial.
Key Takeaways
- Delicensing the lower 6 GHz band is crucial for India's digital growth and local manufacturing.
- Delays in delicensing could cost the Indian economy up to ₹12.7 lakh crore per year.
- The 6 GHz band supports advanced applications like Industry 5.0, robotics, and e-health.
- Immediate action on indoor use cases can unlock immediate economic benefits.
The Urgency of Delicensing the Lower 6 GHz Band in India
The ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) has urged the Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, to expedite the delicensing of the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz). This move is critical for boosting local manufacturing, innovation, and exports, not just in the telecom sector but across various industries. The call for action comes as a response to the significant economic losses and digital transformation delays that India faces due to the prolonged delay in finalizing the delicensing rules.
Economic Impact of Delicensing Delays
The Government of India announced the delicensing of the lower 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi on May 16, 2025, through draft rules issued under a Gazette Notification. However, five months later, the final rules are still pending, raising deep concerns. According to studies shared with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), each year of delay could cost the Indian economy as much as ₹12.7 lakh crore. This staggering figure is a result of stalled digital innovation, hindered local device manufacturing scalability, and limited affordable internet access for millions of citizens.
Key economic impacts include:
- Massive Economic Losses: Postponing delicensing could deprive India of over $4 trillion (₹330 lakh crore) in economic value between now and 2034.
- Local Manufacturing Stagnation: The availability of the 6 GHz band is essential for the design, development, and manufacturing of Wi-Fi 6e modules, which are integral to future industrial products.
- Digital Divide: Delays in delicensing threaten to widen the digital divide, particularly in rural areas, where affordable high-speed broadband is crucial for telemedicine, online education, and e-governance.
Global Context and Industry 5.0
The lower 6 GHz band is not just a local issue; it is a global standard. Over 100 nations, including major economies like the USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Singapore, and the UAE, have already delicensed Wi-Fi 6e in the 5925-6425 MHz range. This global alignment is crucial for India's participation in the global digital economy. Delicensing the band will accelerate innovation by providing the necessary support for advanced applications such as:
- Industry 5.0:** The next generation of industrial automation, including robotics and AI-driven manufacturing.
- E-Health:** Robotic surgeries, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring.
- Work from Home:** Enhanced connectivity and productivity for remote workers.
- AR/VR and Gaming:** Development and export of software and hardware for these rapidly growing sectors.
Indoor Use Cases: A Practical First Step
IAFI has specifically requested the immediate separation of indoor use cases from outdoor ones and the prompt notification of rules for indoor use cases. This step is based on already discussed and agreed-upon power levels, which have consensus among stakeholders. Technical studies, including those with the Department of Space and global satellite operators, confirm that low-power indoor Wi-Fi can coexist with existing satellite and microwave links without disruption.
Benefits of Indoor Use Cases:
- Immediate Economic Benefits:** Enabling immediate use of the 6 GHz band for indoor applications can unlock economic benefits and boost GDP.
- Consumer-Centric Services:** Affordable broadband to the last mile, unlocking telemedicine, online education, and e-governance for rural India.
- Local Manufacturing:** Catalyzing the design, development, and manufacturing of Wi-Fi 6e devices, boosting India's ambitions under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The Bottom Line
The delicensing of the lower 6 GHz band is not just about faster internet; it is about digital empowerment for every Indian. The timely delicensing of this band is a gamechanger for India's digital future, aligning the country with global digital advancements and unlocking multi-trillion-dollar market opportunities. Immediate action on indoor use cases is a practical first step that can deliver significant economic and social benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the lower 6 GHz band important for India's digital economy?
The lower 6 GHz band is crucial for supporting advanced applications like Wi-Fi 6e, which are essential for digital innovation, local manufacturing, and affordable internet access. Delays in delicensing can cost the Indian economy up to ₹12.7 lakh crore per year.
What are the potential economic losses due to delays in delicensing?
Each year of delay in delicensing the lower 6 GHz band could cost the Indian economy as much as ₹12.7 lakh crore. Postponing delicensing could deprive India of over $4 trillion (₹330 lakh crore) in economic value between now and 2034.
How does the 6 GHz band support advanced applications like Industry 5.0 and e-health?
The 6 GHz band supports advanced applications such as Industry 5.0, robotics, AI-driven manufacturing, robotic surgeries, telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring. It also enhances work from home and the development of AR/VR and gaming software.
What is the global context for delicensing the 6 GHz band?
Over 100 nations, including major economies like the USA, Canada, France, Germany, UK, Singapore, and the UAE, have already delicensed Wi-Fi 6e in the 5925-6425 MHz range. This global alignment is crucial for India's participation in the global digital economy.
What are the benefits of focusing on indoor use cases first?
Focusing on indoor use cases first can unlock immediate economic benefits, boost GDP, and provide affordable broadband to the last mile. It also catalyzes local manufacturing and aligns with India's digital transformation goals.
