WRC-27 talks spotlight spectrum crunch as India pushes 6G readiness

The 3rd Preparatory Workshop for WRC-27 was held in the Capital on March 17, 2026. Organised by the ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI), Communications Today was the exclusive media partner.

The first Technical Session on WRC-27 items 1.7/1.13, chaired by Gulab Chand, Joint Wireless Advisor, WPC, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), began with a keynote by Jitendra Singh, Head, Government Affairs, Qualcomm. He explained harmonization needs, noting that frequencies can’t overlap and that harmonization is influenced by geopolitics/economics (e.g., Bangladesh/Thailand shifts). Singh focused on 1.7 as the prime for IMT/5G-6G by 2030 via WP5D. He stressed Sapporo APG views, India’s prior band leadership (Laos/Vietnam support).

Ashwani Kumar, Head Standards and Spectrum Engagements, Nokia, cited 450 EB/year data (Dec 2025), India’s 20 percent aggressive growth per operator. He detailed 7-8 GHz WP5D woes: complex scope, France’s scenarios, parameter clashes, and 14 bracketed studies. Kumar noted divergent results (4-300 km separations, TVG/Monte Carlo), urging baseline criteria for consistency.

Dr. Sendil Kumar Devar, Director, Standards and Spectrum Ericsson, tied 1.7 to 1.19 (4.2-4.4/8.4-8.5 GHz ESS). He lauded India-ISRO stakeholder depth and APG leadership, addressing concerns: 4.4 GHz altimeters/exclusions; 7-8 GHz segments for NGSO/MSS; 14.8-15.35 GHz microwave focus. He promoted progressive band splits, practical will over complexity.

Dr. Punit Rathod, Lead Technical Standards Qualcomm, summarized ~76 7-8 GHz studies for 1.7 IMT/6G, WP5D nearing CPM. He covered deliberations on technical resolutions amid complexities in spectrum identification and coexistence.

Other speakers included Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology), DoT; Syed Tausif Abbas, Sr DDG & Head, TEC and Chairman and MD, TCIL; NK Bhola, Joint Wireless Advisor and OSD to, Wireless Advisor, WPC, DoT; M Revathi, Joint Wireless Advisor, WPC, DoT; Gulab Chand, Joint Wireless Advisor, WPC, DoT; MK Pattanaik, Joint Wireless Advisor, WPC, DoT; Amit Gulati, Sr Deputy Wireless Advisor, WPC, DoT; Jitendra Singh, Head, Govt Affairs Qualcomm India; Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Director General, Bharat 6G Alliance; J Sofi Jebasoundaram, Associate Director (Frequency Management) Satellite Communication Programme; Jose ‘Pepe’ Feu Vidal, Satellite Network Coordination Engineer, Amazon Leo; Dr Laura Roberti, Director for Spectrum & Market Access, Telesat; Arun Kumar, Assistant Wireless Advisor (ISR), WPC Wing, DoT; and NK Goyal, Vice Chairman, IAFI President; CMAI Association of India; Chairman Emeritus, TEMA; & Founder President CSAI.

CT Bureau