India notifies draft rules to delicense the lower 6 GHz band, boosting Wi-Fi, next-gen device access

The delicensing of the lower portion of the 6 GHz band is expected to accelerate the adoption of next-generation wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

The Central government has unveiled draft rules to delicense the 5925–6425 MHz portion of the 6 GHz spectrum band. This step aims to accelerate the nationwide rollout of low-power and very low-power wireless devices. It is expected to enhance home Wi-Fi speed and capacity for consumers while enabling access to the latest devices from leading tech companies such as Sony, Meta, Apple, and Google.

The draft rules, titled ‘Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in Lower 6 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2025’, were published via a gazette notification dated May 16, 2025. The rules have been proposed under the powers granted by sections 3(3) and 4(6), along with clauses (b) and (h) of sub-section (2) of section 56 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023).

As per the notification, no prior authorisation or frequency assignment will be required for setting up, operating, or using wireless devices for low-power indoor and very low-power outdoor access in the 5925–6425 MHz band. However, usage must be on a non-interference, non-protection, and shared basis, while complying with defined technical parameters.

The draft rules specify several operational restrictions for the use of wireless equipment in the 6 GHz band. All usage is strictly prohibited on oil platforms.

Additionally, indoor use is not allowed on land vehicles such as cars and trains, as well as on boats and aircraft, except when the aircraft is flying above 10,000 feet. The rules also explicitly prohibit using this frequency band to communicate with or control drones and unmanned aerial systems.

Globally, several regulators have already delicensed the lower portion of the 6 GHz band to enable unlicensed Wi-Fi use, while the upper portion is typically reserved for licensed telecom services.

In India, this development is seen as a win for broadband and tech firms advocating for unlicensed access to the full 6 GHz band to support next-gen Wi-Fi technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

The delicensing of the lower portion of the 6 GHz band is expected to accelerate the adoption of next-generation wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.

Experts note that this spectrum will enable high-speed, low-latency internet access, particularly for indoor environments, by reducing congestion and improving overall network performance. This development is essential for delivering uninterrupted, high-quality connectivity in a dense digital ecosystem. They believe that this move will impact several high-growth sectors, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital healthcare, gaming, and immersive technologies like AR and VR.

The band is crucial for providing high-speed WiFi and supporting next-generation gadgets such as Sony PlayStation and augmented reality/virtual reality devices from companies like Apple and Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses. However, Sony could not launch its latest PlayStation 5 Pro in the country because the WiFi spectrum in the 6 GHz band was unavailable.

Notably, Indian telecom operators opposed the full delicensing of the 6 GHz band.

Telcos, represented by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which includes Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, have lobbied for the entire 6 GHz band to be identified for 5G and future 6G services. They argue that auctioning this mid-band spectrum is critical to addressing spectrum scarcity.

Supporting this view, the London-based GSM Association (GSMA), the global telco body, urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to include the upper portion of the 6 GHz band (6425–7125 MHz) in upcoming spectrum auctions earlier this year, Moneycontrol reported on April 2.

GSMA) urged the department of telecommunications (DoT) to send a reference to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to include the 6 GHz band, along with any other band made available for IMT, in the upcoming spectrum auction process. GSMA said the move will ensure that all necessary IMT spectrum bands—across mid-band and high-band frequencies—are made available together, facilitating a more comprehensive and efficient spectrum strategy.