By freeing up 500 MHz of spectrum, the government has cleared the path for next-generation wireless standards—Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7—to operate at their full potential in Indian homes and offices.
Key Highlights of the Notification
- The Frequency: The band covering 5925 MHz to 6425 MHz is now license-free for low-power indoor and very low-power outdoor use.
- The “Middle Ground” Decision: While tech giants (Meta, Google, Apple) wanted the entire 1200 MHz band de-licensed, the government opted to split it. The lower 500 MHz goes to Wi-Fi, while the upper 700 MHz is reserved for licensed 5G/6G mobile services.
- Immediate Impact: Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can now legally sell and activate Wi-Fi 7 routers and devices that were previously “software-locked” in India.
Who Wins? The Impact on Gadgets and Industry
| Stakeholder | Impact | Notable Example |
| Gamers | High: Enables low-latency gaming. | Sony PS5 Pro: Previously delayed in India due to 6 GHz restrictions, it is now expected to launch locally. |
| Big Tech | Win: Better performance for AR/VR and smart home ecosystems. | Apple Vision Pro / Meta Quest: Will see significantly reduced lag and higher data throughput. |
| Consumers | Win: Home Wi-Fi speeds can now reach up to 9.6 Gbps (vs 1.3 Gbps on 5 GHz). | Improved 4K/8K streaming and buffer-free video conferencing. |
| Telcos | Mixed: Lost the auction revenue but can now “offload” mobile data to Wi-Fi to reduce network congestion. | Reliance Jio / Airtel can use Wi-Fi to improve indoor coverage. |
Usage Restrictions & Rules
To prevent interference with satellite services (ISRO) and critical communications, the DoT has placed specific riders on the 6 GHz band:
- Strictly Indoor/Low Power: Use is primarily for Low Power Indoor (LPI) and Very Low Power (VLP) outdoor devices.
- Prohibited Zones: Usage is banned on oil platforms.
- Moving Vehicles: Usage is prohibited in cars, trains, or boats. It is allowed on aircraft only when flying above 10,000 feet.
- Drones: Communication with or control of unmanned aerial systems (drones) using this band is strictly forbidden.
Conclusion: India Aligns with Global Standards
With this move, India joins 96 other countries, including the US, UK, and South Korea, in enabling the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi. The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) hailed the reform as a “landmark” that will reinforce the “Make in India” initiative for advanced networking gear. For the average user, the result is simple: the “bottleneck” in your home internet is about to vanish.
