A major technology debate is unfolding in India as US tech giants including Apple, Amazon, Cisco, Meta, HP, and Intel strongly oppose Indian telecom operators’ demand to allocate the 6 GHz spectrum band for mobile services. The telecom players, notably Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, seek to use the spectrum for the upcoming 5G and future 6G mobile networks—a move the tech giants say is premature and technically unready.
Table of Contents
US Tech Giants Spectrum Battle: Key Details
| Stakeholders | Position/Concern |
|---|---|
| US Tech Giants | Oppose auction for mobile use; favor entire 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and unlicensed use. |
| Indian Telcos (Jio, Vi) | Demand 6 GHz spectrum for licensed mobile broadband, emphasizing future scalability and quality of service. |
| Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) | Warn delicensing parts of 6 GHz will harm mobile broadband growth, government revenues, and favor foreign OTT players unfairly. |
| Qualcomm (Chip Maker) | Supports deferment; stresses aligning with global standards to benefit India’s 6G roadmap. |
| Indian Government & TRAI | Planning to delicense lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for low power Wi-Fi, consult on upper bands amid global conference outcomes. |
US tech firms argue that the 6 GHz band’s technical and commercial readiness for mobile telecom services has not been established and suggest waiting until after the World Radiocommunication Conference 2027 (WRC-27) for decisions on the upper 6 GHz range (7.125–8.4 GHz). Meanwhile, Indian telecom operators stress the necessity of licensed spectrum availability for delivering reliable widespread 5G and future 6G services.
Why This Spectrum Debate Matters
- Wireless Future: The 6 GHz band houses critical frequencies crucial for expanding next-gen mobile networks, including 6G.
- Global Alignment: Other countries like China and Brazil are considering allocating much of the upper 6 GHz spectrum for mobile services.
- Economic Impact: Licensed spectrum auctions raise government revenues and ensure operational control for domestic telecom infrastructure.
- Technology Ecosystem: Device availability, network hardware readiness, and global spectrum harmonization remain concerns delaying immediate mobile service deployment.
FAQs
Q1: Why do US tech companies want the 6 GHz spectrum reserved for Wi-Fi rather than mobile services?
US tech giants argue that the 6 GHz band is not yet technically or commercially ready for mobile telecom use. They want the spectrum delicensed for unlicensed Wi-Fi applications, promoting broad consumer access before mobile auction programs proceed, recommending revisiting allocation post-WRC-27 conference.
Q2: What are Indian telecom companies’ concerns regarding the 6 GHz band?
Indian telcos like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea emphasize that licensed mobile broadband on the 6 GHz band is essential for quality service, nationwide scalability, and India’s digital future, warning delicensing would lock out future mobile use, reduce government revenues, and give unfair advantage to foreign OTT players.
