6 GHz Band Delicensing [UPSC Current Affairs]

Telecom service providers and big tech companies in India have demanded delicensing the 6 gigahertz (GHz) 5G band. What is the 6 GHz band and why are telecom service providers asking for its delicensing? Get answers to these questions in this article. This topic is relevant for the IAS exam current affairs segment.

What are Wi-Fi6E and 6 GHz Band?

• 6 GHz Wi-Fi is able to function on a less crowded portion of the Wi-Fi spectrum, maximizing the performance of devices that are compatible with this band.  
• Wi-Fi 6E can operate at higher speeds even in multi-user connected, crowded, and dense networks because of the wide channels and other unique features including less interference.
• Wi-Fi 6E uses the 6 GHz band for operation.
  • The frequency range between 5.925 GHz and 7.125 GHz is known as the 6 GHz band.
  • The 6 GHz band’s 1,200 MHz frequency range is the largest.

Need for Delicensing the 6 gigahertz (GHz) Band

• India’s mobile data consumption is growing so rapidly that telecom operators need to earmark further spectrum for licensed use on their networks.
• India may need more mid-band spectrum between 2025 and 2030 due to a variety of use cases.
• For successful 5G, the spectrum that is currently accessible is grossly inadequate.
• Due to the lack of a 6 GHz spectrum, telecom service providers would be forced to densify their networks in order to satisfy 5G performance standards, which would increase costs by 60% every year.
• To take advantage of 5G’s advantages, such as improved mobile broadband, extremely low latency, and expanded support for the IoT, consumers will need Wi-Fi 6E installed on their premises. 
• Wi-Fi 6E is required for immersive technologies like AR and VR, which are currently revolutionising industries including education, entertainment, and health care. 

Current Scenario:

• According to the National Frequency Allocation Plan, 2022, 6 GHz spectrum is currently set aside for mobile and satellite communications.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) currently uses 6 GHz for satellite operations in India.

Benefits of Delicensing the 6 GHz Band

• Delicensing at 6 GHz would offer fixed-line broadband providers and software behemoths with efficient high-speed transmission. 
• WiFi 6E supports speeds of up to 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps). 
• A wireless network may accommodate more devices in the 6GHz spectrum than in the 5GHz band.
• Due to the tremendous increase in user devices around the world, Wi-Fi 6E will be essential for preventing data congestion. 

Significance for India

• India has a lot riding on wireless connection. Wi-Fi hotspots are used by users in homes, offices, and other locations. 
• To fully utilise the capabilities of BharatNet, the national optical fibre network, rural consumers need reliable Wi-Fi.
• The government’s PM-WANI initiative aims to support regional rural business owners in boosting Wi-Fi availability. 
• India needs to improve Wi-Fi hotspots in a subtle way. Using cutting-edge Wi-Fi technology could increase demand, benefit users, and improve the profitability of the service. 
• New Wi-Fi technology, however, requires unlicensed 6 GHz and V bands.

Concerns: There are some concerns about delicensing spectrum. 

• Quality and cost issues could arise from delicensing the 6 GHz spectrum since 5G services will become more expensive and of lower quality.
• There is concern that delaying the spectrum auction will infringe on the rights of currently licensed providers, or contravene Supreme Court rulings.
• Some contend that the delicensing of spectrum breaches the Supreme Court’s ruling from the 2G case in 2012, which mandates that the government would eventually auction spectrum. 
  • The Court clarified its stance, declaring that the sale of natural resources was a matter of policy rather than a constitutional issue. 
• The government could lose out on revenue if the 6 GHz and 60 GHz bands are delicensed rather than licenced and sold through auction, according to a key worry recently voiced by telcos. 
  • However, as other experts have also noted, this concern seems to be evidently misplaced given the enormous economic potential of these bands.

Global examples

• The delicencing of these bands has already begun in a number of other jurisdictions. 
• A number of other nations are considering doing the same as over 35 nations, including the USA, UK, Brazil, UAE, and Korea, have delicensed the 6 GHz spectrum. 
• Similar to this, the V-band in the 60 GHz region has been delicensed in about 70 nations worldwide.

Way Forward

• The market for Wi-Fi 6E, a new and specialized technology, will surely expand over the next few years. 
• The telecom department (DoT) needs to carefully consider how much licenced 5G spectrum is needed and make sure it can be provided, all the while making a decision on the 6 GHz band in India as soon as possible.
• All components of the broadband ecosystem must be allowed to develop their capabilities by regulators, but this is especially true of license-exempt technologies because of their crucial function in meeting broadband requirements. 
• Indian telecom hardware and software businesses have the chance to seize a portion of this industry both domestically and internationally.

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