Wi-Fi Speeds to Get Boost as India to Open New Spectrum

The band is crucial for providing high-speed Wi-Fi, supporting augmented reality devices

- Jatin Grover

In a move that is set to benefit technology companies such as Sony, Meta, Apple, and Google, the government on Monday paved the way for licence-free use of a portion of the key 6GHz spectrum. The band is crucial for providing high-speed Wi-Fi and supporting the next-generation gadgets such as Sony PlayStation, and augmented reality/virtual reality devices from companies like Apple and Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.

According to industry executives, some technology companies were unable to launch these gadgets in the country because the Wi-Fi spectrum in the 6GHz band was unavailable.

For instance, in November, Sony said its PlayStation 5 Pro won't be released in India in the absence of the 6GHz band. "PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries (which currently includes India) where the 6 GHz wireless band used in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) has not yet been allowed," the company had said in a statement.

"No Authorization or Frequency Assignment shall be required to establish, maintain, work, possess, or deal in any wireless equipment for the purpose of Lower Power Indoor and Very Low Power outdoor wireless access systems, including radio local area networks operating in the frequency band 5925-6425 MHz," the communications ministry said in a notification stating draft rules.