The Broadband India Forum (BIF) has reportedly urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to separate indoor and outdoor use cases of the delicensed 6GHz spectrum to accelerate the rollout of services on this band. The request follows DoT’s decision to conduct feasibility studies for outdoor use cases. Although a draft gazette notification has been issued, the final rules for delicensing the lower portion of the 6GHz band have been delayed. Tech companies have long sought access to this band to enable faster Wi-Fi services using Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 technologies.
The DoT had earlier planned to delicense the lower 6GHz band and implement the policy by August 15, 2025, without auctions. However, the department has since decided to carry out technical and field studies to assess feasibility and potential interference risks with terrestrial and satellite services. A committee has been formed to conduct coexistence studies, especially for outdoor use cases with higher power levels. The delay in notifying the rules means that new Wi-Fi technologies and devices cannot yet be approved for sale in India. The 6GHz band is capable of delivering speeds up to 9.6 Gbps, compared to the current 5GHz band’s 1.3 Gbps.
Therefore, BIF has asked the DoT to immediately approve indoor use cases based on agreed power levels, where consensus already exists among stakeholders.
