Apple, Amazon, and Meta oppose Jio and Vi using the 6GHz band for mobile, saying it’s not ready for large-scale mobile deployment.
US tech firms want the 6GHz band reserved for licence-free Wi-Fi to boost high-speed connectivity for devices like AR/VR headsets and gaming consoles.
India may open parts of the 6GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi, which could enhance internet quality but force telcos to rethink their plans.
India’s two largest telecom operators, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi), are pushing to use the 6GHz spectrum for mobile phone services, but this is facing strong opposition from US technology giants. This comes after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) sought public comments on the spectrum allocation via its consultation paper, which attracted the attention of several global technology companies, including Apple, Meta, Intel, Amazon, HP, and Cisco. These companies, in their joint response, have said the 6GHz frequency band is not ready for commercial deployment in mobile services on a number of technical and operational grounds.
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US companies’ concerns over the 6GHz spectrum
The US companies contend that while the 6GHz band holds promise from a bandwidth perspective, it has not been adequately tested for large-scale mobile use. They caution that making the spectrum available for mobile services now may cause performance issues and interoperability problems. Instead, these companies have urged Indian authorities to reserve the spectrum mainly for Wi-Fi services, citing that such a move would be in the general interest of internet users by providing faster and more reliable connectivity to support advanced technologies like gaming consoles, AR devices, VR headsets, and other high-bandwidth applications.
The US companies reportedly submitted a common response to the TRAI consultation paper and argued that it would be more expedient to open the 6GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi. They said licence-exempt use would quickly proliferate high-speed wireless internet across India, benefiting service providers and consumers by reducing deployment costs. The same spectrum could alternatively be used for mobile networks, but that would require major infrastructure upgrades and considerable testing before deployment, delaying the potential benefits for end users.
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Indian government stance on the 6GHz spectrum
The Indian government has also been considering opening select parts of the 6GHz spectrum for licence-free use. Such a move would allow internet service providers and device makers to offer faster Wi-Fi connections without paying high licensing fees, thereby creating the right ecosystem for innovation and technological advancement. Experts say this could benefit major technology companies such as Apple, Meta, and Sony, as devices like PlayStation Pro gaming consoles and AR headsets can perform considerably better in the Indian market.
In its submission to the TRAI, Meta referred to the fact that over 35 countries, including the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Australia, have already opened the 6GHz spectrum for licence-free Wi-Fi use. The company highlighted this as a clear model from other major international jurisdictions that India can follow, extending high-speed wireless connectivity for consumers and businesses while ensuring efficient and safe spectrum use.
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If TRAI acts in line with the US tech companies’ recommendations, then Jio and Vodafone Idea will have to reconsider their strategy to deploy mobile services on the 6GHz spectrum. At the same time, prioritising Wi-Fi use would significantly enhance internet quality and penetration in India, while enabling new digital technologies and applications based on high-speed, low-latency connections. It will be a far-reaching decision by the regulator, impacting not just telecom operators but also technology companies, consumers, and the overall digital ecosystem in India.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
