India’s Department of Telecommunications has de-licensed the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz), providing 500 MHz of spectrum for unlicensed Wi-Fi use and enabling faster Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 networks nationwide. This move promises reduced congestion, lower latency, and higher speeds for homes, offices, and public spaces supporting 4K/8K streaming, gaming, and remote work.
Key Benefits and Requirements
Devices must follow technical power limits, use contention-based protocols, and operate on a shared non-interference basis for low-power indoor and very-low-power outdoor systems. The upper 6 GHz band stays reserved for potential 5G/6G mobile services, balancing Wi-Fi growth with telecom needs after debates between operators and tech firms.
Impact on Devices and Adoption
Wi-Fi 6E/7-ready smartphones, laptops, routers, and gaming consoles like PlayStation 5 Pro can now fully utilize the cleaner spectrum beyond crowded 2.4/5 GHz bands. This aligns India with global markets, boosts 5G offloading, and accelerates next-gen connectivity without licenses or approvals.