Reliance Jio has reportedly approached the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking permission to repurpose spectrum in the 26 GHz band for Wi-Fi services. Meanwhile, according to media reports, DoT has confirmed that Jio’s request has been formally received and is under review.
The request falls under Clause 2.3 of the notice inviting applications (NIA) for the July 2022 spectrum auction, which stipulates that operators must obtain prior approval from the DoT before using mobile-designated spectrum for alternate services. Such applications must be submitted at least six months prior to deployment for the new use.
Further, Jio is reportedly exploring a hybrid strategy, combining the broader coverage of 5 GHz with the high-capacity throughput of 26 GHz to deliver ultra-fast broadband in dense urban areas without fully relying on mobile 5G infrastructure.
If Jio’s proposal is approved, it is expected that Bharti Airtel would submit a similar request. Though the 26 GHz band is globally designated for 5G, market adoption remains limited due to a lack of widespread device and infrastructure support.
