Understanding Wi-Fi6E and 6 GHz Band

• The 6 GHz Wi-Fi operates on a less congested part of the Wi-Fi spectrum, ensuring maximum performance for compatible devices.
• With unique features such as wide channels and less interference, Wi-Fi 6E can deliver higher speeds even in dense, crowded, and multi-user connected networks.
• Wi-Fi 6E employs the 6 GHz band for its operation.
  • The 6 GHz band refers to the frequency range between 5.925 GHz and 7.125 GHz.
  • The 1,200 MHz frequency range of the 6 GHz band is its largest.

Why Delicensing the 6 GHz Band is Necessary

• The exponential growth in India’s mobile data consumption necessitates telecom operators to allocate more spectrum for licensed use in their networks.
• Given the varied use cases, India might require more mid-band spectrum between 2025 and 2030.
• The current spectrum availability is grossly insufficient for successful 5G implementation.
• The absence of a 6 GHz spectrum would force telecom service providers to densify their networks to meet 5G performance standards, thereby increasing costs by 60% every year.
• To leverage the benefits of 5G like enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-low latency, and extensive support for the IoT , consumers would need Wi-Fi 6E installed at their premises.
• Wi-Fi 6E is necessary for emerging technologies like AR and VR, which are currently transforming sectors like education, entertainment, and healthcare.

Present State of Affairs:

• As per the National Frequency Allocation Plan, 2022, the 6 GHz spectrum is presently reserved for mobile and satellite communications.
• The ISRO currently uses the 6 GHz for satellite operations in India.

Advantages of Delicensing the 6 GHz Band

• Delicensing the 6 GHz would allow fixed-line broadband providers and software giants to achieve efficient high-speed transmission.
• WiFi 6E can support speeds of up to 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps).
• A wireless network can accommodate more devices in the 6GHz spectrum than in the 5GHz band.
• With the global increase in user devices, Wi-Fi 6E will be crucial to prevent data congestion.

Significance for India

• Wireless connectivity plays a crucial role in India, with users relying on Wi-Fi hotspots at homes, offices, and other places.
• To maximize the potential of BharatNet , the national optical fibre network, rural consumers need reliable Wi-Fi.
• The government’s PM-WANI initiative aims to empower rural entrepreneurs to enhance Wi-Fi availability.
• India needs to augment Wi-Fi hotspots in a strategic manner. Adopting advanced Wi-Fi technology could spur demand, benefit users, and increase the service’s profitability.
• However, the new Wi-Fi technology requires unlicensed 6 GHz and V bands.

Concerns: There are certain apprehensions about delicensing the spectrum.

• Delicensing the 6 GHz spectrum could potentially lead to quality and cost issues, making 5G services more expensive and of inferior quality.
• There are fears that delaying the spectrum auction may infringe on the rights of currently licensed providers, or violate Supreme Court judgments.
• Some argue that delicensing the spectrum contradicts the Supreme Court’s verdict from the 2G case in 2012, which mandated that the government must auction spectrum.
  • The Court later clarified its stance, stating that the sale of natural resources is a policy matter and not a constitutional issue.
• A major concern raised by telcos recently is that the government could lose out on revenue if the 6 GHz and 60 GHz bands are delicensed instead of being licensed and sold via auction.
  • However, as various experts have pointed out, this concern seems misplaced considering the enormous economic potential of these bands.

Global Instances

• The process of delicensing these bands has already begun in several other countries.
• More than 35 countries, including the USA, UK, Brazil, UAE, and Korea, have already delicensed the 6 GHz spectrum, and many others are considering doing the same.
• Similarly, the V-band in the 60 GHz region has been delicensed in about 70 countries worldwide.

The Road Ahead

• The market for Wi-Fi 6E, a new and specialized technology, is expected to grow significantly over the next few years.
• The telecom department (DoT) needs to judiciously determine the amount of licensed 5G spectrum required and ensure its availability, while also making a decision on the 6 GHz band in India at the earliest.
• Regulators must allow all components of the broadband ecosystem to develop their capabilities, especially license-exempt technologies due to their critical role in meeting broadband needs.
• Indian telecom hardware and software companies have the opportunity to capture a share of this market both domestically and globally.