Tech Firms vs Telecom Companies: Why Giants Are Fighting Over 6 GHz Spectrum

The fight between global tech firms and telecom companies over the coveted 6 GHz spectrum is set to escalate after the Indian government's decision to auction off part of the band. Earlier this month, the government decided to auction a portion of the upper 6 GHz band to telecom firms for expanding 5G and future 6G services.

The move has been strongly opposed by tech firms, led by industry body Broadband India Forum (BIF) whose members include Amazon and Google. A new Economic Times report, citing Tech executives, suggests that some might take legal action against the government’s decision.

Indian Govt’s Plan So Far

The 6 GHz band refers to the radio frequency range between 5,925 MHz and 7,125 MHz. It promises faster and more reliable connectivity and is critical for expanding high-speed wireless internet. In India, part of the 6 GHz band is currently utilized by the government for space, defense, and other sectors. The Indian government typically auctions spectrum licenses. However, global tech firms have been pushing for the spectrum to be delicensed and allocated administratively.

The decision to auction certain portions of the 6 GHz spectrum came as part of a Cabinet-approved plan to refarm or repurpose nearly 1,100 MHz of spectrum across multiple bands over the next few years, according to an Economic Times report. The approval also allows the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to refarm spectrum across 10 bands, ranging from 470 MHz to 6 GHz.

Also Read: Telecom Companies Seek Allocation Of Entire 6 GHz Band Spectrum For 5G, 6G Services

Boost for the Telecom Industry

The Cabinet’s decision marks a significant win for the telecom industry, which has been lobbying for access to the entire 1,200 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band (5,925-7,125 MHz) to support 5G and 6G expansion. However, the auction of only the upper portion leaves a large part of the spectrum they have been demanding.

Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents telecom firms like Jio, Airtel and others, argue that they will need around 2,000 MHz of mid-band spectrum by 2030 to efficiently roll out 5G and 6G. Currently, only 400 MHz is available for them in this range.

COAI says that the 6 GHz band, particularly the 1,200 MHz available within it, has immense potential for mobile communications. It is seen as essential for ensuring the commercial success of 5G and the future deployment of 6G.

"We want to stress on the fact that it is essential that the most optimal allocation of the 1,200 MHz available in the 6 GHz band is done for mobile communications in India, to get this critical 2 GHz of spectrum in mid-band," COAI Director General S P Kochhar told PTI earlier this month. This band, the industry body claims, can provide higher speeds, lower latency, and better connectivity in densely populated areas.

Tech Sector Pushes Back

Broadband India Forum (BIF) argues that India should delicense the 6 GHz band, following the example of several other nations, to unlock its full potential. While the 6 GHz band is crucial for mobile communications, it also has potential applications in AI, VR, cloud gaming, massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB).

Global tech firms say International Mobile Telecommunication (ITM) services in the 6GHz band alone cannot meet the advanced requirements of digitalization of the key sectors of the economy.

"We strongly urge the government to immediately delicense the lower 500 MHz of the 6 GHz band and an additional 160 MHz from the 300 MHz held back until 2030,” said TV Ramachandran, President of BIF, in a statement earlier this month.

The industry body claims that delicensing the 6 GHz band could generate recurring economic benefits of $60 billion annually from 2028, which they argue is "much higher than the one-time revenue the government would earn from auctioning this spectrum."