6 GHz to Wi-Fi would represent revenue loss for country’s treasury

6 GHz spectrum is key for the provision of ubiquitous 5G coverage across the country. In the last auction, the telcos got 800 megahertz, resulting in a deficiency of 1200 MHz. For an effective rollout of 5G in the mid-band, the spectrum requirement can be met fully by taking 1200 MHz from the 6 GHz range.

Jio in its counter comments on Indian telecom regulator Trai’s consultation paper on promoting 5G transformation had reiterated, “As 6 GHz band is the only mid-band spectrum available for IMT services, the full 6 GHz (1200 MHz i.e. 5925-7125 MHz) band should be earmarked for IMT so that around 300-400 MHz are available to each of the TSP for growth of 5G and introduction of 6G services. Delicensing of spectrum not only create a cost arbitrage between the operator providing services on licensed spectrum and other operators but will also leads to huge loss to the country’s treasury. The countries that have delicensed the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi services are now facing difficulty in reversing their decision when a large part of the band is being considered for IMT in WRC-23.”

In a letter to India’s communications minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the GSMA said: “The 6 GHz range is the primary mid-band spectrum to meet the needs for 5G expansion and its timely availability will drive cost-efficient network deployment, help lower the broadband usage gap and support digital inclusion.”

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) also highlighted that the government should award the 6 GHz spectrum band for the provision of mobile services in India, adding that allocating the 6 GHz band to public Wi-Fi companies would represent a revenue loss for the country’s treasury. The spectrum shortage for effectively expanding fifth-generation or 5G mobile networks in India will be fulfilled by the crucial 6 GHz frequency band, says COAI.

“WRC 23 has already decided that the band 6425-7125 MHz is the only band that can be considered for 5G. The band 5925-6425 MHz is globally harmonized for Wi-Fi 6e. All governments around the world have since agreed to implement those decisions. In India the band 6425-7025 MHz is extensively used by satellite services and line of sight fixed services and further studies are being done to consider coexistence,” clarifies Bharat B Bhatia, President and CEO of the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) and Vice Chairman for Asia Pacific for the World Wireless Research Forum (WWRF).

However, Delhi-based Broadband India Forum believes that the government should either delicense a portion of 6 GHz band or make complete spectrum available for public Wi-Fi services in the country.

CT Bureau