New Delhi: So, finally, Indian telecoms operators has raised many questions against the US technology companies, which include many tech giants like Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, HP, and Intel. They have formally opposed demands by Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea regarding the allocation of the 6 GHz spectrum band. While the Indian telecom operators are now pushing for the spectrum to be auctioned for mobile services, the tech giants are now advocating for the entire band to be delicensed for Wi-Fi use. In a joint submission to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India regarding the upcoming spectrum auction, the US tech majors argued that the ecosystem for mobile services in the 6GHz band is not yet technically or commercially ready.
Presently, the Indian government has identified that 400 MHz of the frequencies in the 6GHz band are available for auction, with another 300 MHz expected by 2030. The lower 6GHz band has already been decided for delicensing to support low-power applications like Wi-Fi. The coalition of American technology companies has urged the government to delay any auction timelines for the 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz ranges. In a joint response to telecom regulator Trai’s consultation paper for the next round of spectrum auction, the US technology giants have stated that the technical and commercial readiness in the 6GHz band is not established for mobile services.
It does not recommend setting timelines for any future auction of the 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz ranges for IMT. TRAI, together with the Department of Telecommunications, should review the allocation of the upper 6GHz band following the outcomes of WRC-27, including Agenda Item 1.7 concerning 7.125-8.4 GHz. The tech giants stated that any upper 6GHz spectrum that would otherwise remain unused should be made available for unlicensed use in the interim. They further suggested that any upper 6GHz spectrum left unused should be opened for unlicensed use, effectively Wi-Fi in the interim.
The Cellular Operators Association of India, representing Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has strongly opposed delicensing. They argue that handing the spectrum over to Wi-Fi would result in a loss of exchequer revenue and provide an unfair advantage to foreign OTT players. It stated that delicensing even part of the 6GHz band will be an irreversible action, permanently foreclosing its use for licensed mobile broadband services and severely limiting India’s long-term digital capacity and provision of affordable services.
However, Reliance Jio has demanded that the entire 1200MHz of available spectrum in the 6GHz band be included in the upcoming auction, despite the government decision to delicense the lower 500MHz for low-power applications. Vodafone Idea has requested that the 400MHz currently available be put up for sale immediately. Bharti Airtel, taking a more cautious approach, has sought a deferment of the auction. Airtel cited a lack of ecosystem readiness regarding devices and global harmonisation, a view echoed by chipset major Qualcomm. US-based chipset major Qualcomm has echoed views similar to Airtel. Qualcomm aligned partially with Airtel, emphasising that the upper 6GHz band is critical for India’s future 6G ambitions. By deferring the auction of the 6425-6725 MHz and 7025-7125 MHz bands until after WRC-27, India safeguards its 6G future, aligns with the global standards, and honours its leadership aspirations.
