Tech firms face setback as Wi-Fi spectrum allocation plan nixed

DoT DECISION MAY DELAY ADOPTION OF NEXT-GENERATION DEVICES

- JATIN GROVER

IN A MOVE that could significantly impact tech giants such as Meta, Google and others, the department of telecommunications (DoT) has decided not to pursue the delicensing of new spectrum for Wi-Fi use, officials said.

The decision is seen as a potential obstacle to improving Wi-Fi quality, particularly for high-bandwidth applications. It could also delay the adoption of next-generation devices requiring enhanced spectrum, while stifling the development of the nascent Wi-Fi 6E equipment industry.

The 6 GHz spectrum has become a focal point of interest for both telecom operators and tech firms. Globally, countries like the United States have delicensed this spectrum for Wi-Fi, enabling faster connectivity and support for advanced technologies. However, India has chosen a different path.

The government plans to vacate around 600 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) to allocate it for telecom operators. This will facilitate the rollout of 5G and 6G services.