New Delhi: The center could make the lower block of the 6 GHz (5925 – 6425 MHz spectrum band) for unlicensed indoor use, a move that could benefit from Wi-Fi broadband space by opening data-intensive applications. However, experts believe that with this move, users can get high-speed Wi-Fi, as its range will be greatly increased and will also help service providers in artificial intelligence and robotics.
The government’s move has provided refinement for low 6 GHz bands used by unlicensed Wi-Fi, after several countries, including the United States and EU members. In India, however, scope has been the subject of intense debate between telecom operators and technology companies.
The government has notified the draft rules in this regard, which should apply to bands 5925 – 6425 MHz. According to the draft, the notice said that in order to build, maintain, work, own or trade or trade any wireless equipment in any wireless indoor room, in order to be indoors with lower power and very low power outdoor wireless access systems (including radio local networks operating in the frequency band 5925-6425 MHz), not on non-decomposed, non-local and shared (without XCLECTERISE).
According to experts, the spectrum will enable high-speed, low-latency internet access by reducing congestion and improving overall network performance, especially for indoor environments. “This development is crucial to providing uninterrupted high-quality connectivity in a dense digital ecosystem. They believe this move will impact multiple high-growth areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital healthcare, gaming, and immersive technologies such as AR and VR gaming,” they said.
For low-power indoor equipment, the proposed power output limit is 30 dbm or decibel-Milliwatts (vs. 53 dbm, 5 GHz at 5 GHz) to avoid interference. It also clarifies some operational restrictions prohibiting use on oil platforms. The draft says: “Use indoors on land vehicles (i.e. cars, trains) and aircraft is prohibited, but flights of 10,000 feet are prohibited.
The ITU-APT Foundation (IAFI) in India described the decision to figure out the low 500 MHz of the 6 GHz band as “visionary” and said it paved the way for useless mid-band spectrum such as low-power and low-power wireless access systems, including next-generation Wi-Fi technology.
IAFI also said that given the huge potential of the range, it could unlock new possibilities for digital inclusion, local manufacturing and economic growth, it has been a staunch advocate for food in the low 6 GHz band. “The government’s bold moves have changed the game rules for India’s digital future. This decision aligns India with more than 100 countries that have already opened a 6GHz band, including members of the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea and the European Union.”
According to IAFI, the 6 GHz band provides a wide and clean spectrum without traditional congestion in traditional 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. Its availability is critical to meet the needs of data-intensive applications such as 4K streaming, AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality), online gaming, IoT services and high-resolution video conferencing. “Wi-Fi 6e runs in this new cooked band, promising speeds up to 9.6 Gbps, ultra-low latency and greater capacity, thus bringing a quantum leap in user experience and digital productivity,” IAFI said in a statement.
