Published: 20 January 2026Business StandardGeneral
DoT Delicenses Lower 6 GHz Band to Boost Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 Services in India
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) formally delicensed the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) on January 21, 2026, allowing it to be used without charge for Wi-Fi and other low-power wireless applications on a shared, non-exclusive basis. The notification titled 'Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in Lower 6 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2026' ended years of debate.
The decision enables Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 technology deployment in India, offering faster speeds and lower latency ideal for cloud gaming, virtual reality, and IoT applications. However, the spectrum is restricted to low-power indoor and very-low-power outdoor use. Use on aircraft and moving vehicles was prohibited. Telecom operators had sought the band for 5G/IMT services.
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Q: Discuss the significance of the Department of Telecommunications' decision to delicense the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for Wi-Fi use in India, and analyse its implications for digital connectivity and spectrum policy.
Answer (50 words):
On January 21, 2026, DoT delicensed 5925-6425 MHz, enabling royalty-free Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deployment on a shared, non-exclusive basis. The rules permit low-power indoor and very-low-power outdoor use, while prohibiting aircraft and moving vehicles. This decision, overriding telecom operators' 5G claims, advances cloud gaming, virtual reality, and IoT connectivity.
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The Department of Telecommunications delicensed the lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) in January 2026. This enables which technologies?
Explanation · Correct answer BDoT delicensed the lower 6 GHz band on January 21, 2026, enabling Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deployment in India for faster speeds and lower latency. The band is available on a shared, non-exclusive basis without charge for low-power wireless applications.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lower 6 GHz band delicensing by DoT and what does it enable?
The **Department of Telecommunications (DoT)** delicensed the **lower 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz)** for unlicensed use, enabling the deployment of **Wi-Fi 6E** and **Wi-Fi 7** technologies in India. This provides **500 MHz of additional spectrum** for high-speed wireless broadband, dramatically reducing congestion on the existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
What is Wi-Fi 6E and how is it different from regular Wi-Fi 6?
**Wi-Fi 6E** is an extension of **Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)** that operates in the newly opened **6 GHz band**, in addition to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It offers **up to 9.6 Gbps speeds**, lower latency, and less interference. **Wi-Fi 7** (802.11be), the next generation, offers speeds up to **46 Gbps** and benefits even more from 6 GHz spectrum.
What is the significance of DoT delicensing the 6 GHz band for India's digital economy?
The **6 GHz band delicensing** is transformative for India's digital infrastructure. It enables **gigabit home broadband**, supports **Industry 4.0** (smart factories, IoT, AR/VR), reduces load on cellular networks, and makes **high-speed Wi-Fi** available in dense environments. This aligns with India's **National Broadband Mission** to provide 50 Mbps+ connectivity to all citizens.
How does 6 GHz Wi-Fi delicensing differ from licensed spectrum auctions for telecom operators?
Unlike licensed spectrum auctions where telecom companies pay billions, **delicensed spectrum** (6 GHz band) is available **free of cost** for compliant devices. This democratizes high-speed connectivity, allowing homes, enterprises, and public Wi-Fi providers to deploy **Wi-Fi 6E/7** without spectrum fees, complementing licensed 5G networks for **indoor and high-density** use cases.
Which countries have opened the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi and what is India's position?
The **USA, EU, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE**, and **South Korea** have opened the full 6 GHz band (5925-7125 MHz) for unlicensed Wi-Fi. India has opened only the **lower 500 MHz** (5925-6425 MHz) — partial compared to global leaders but ahead of many developing nations, signaling India's intent to align its **spectrum policy** with global standards for next-generation connectivity.
