A coalition of major US technology companies—Apple, Cisco, Broadcom, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)—has formally opposed the proposals by Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea seeking licensed access to the 6GHz spectrum band for 5G and future network expansion. The US vendors argue that the 6GHz band should remain available for unlicensed use, supporting global Wi-Fi innovation rather than being reserved exclusively for telecom operators.
In filings to India’s telecom regulator, the companies emphasized that the 6GHz band is critical for advancing Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, which promise faster speeds, lower latency, and improved indoor connectivity. Allocating the band to telcos for licensed 5G services, they warned, would restrict innovation and limit consumer benefits.
Meanwhile, Jio and Vodafone Idea have insisted that India requires this mid-band spectrum to support nationwide 5G capacity, stating that without additional airwaves, network performance could suffer as data demand surges. They argue that licensed access ensures better quality, higher reliability, and broader coverage for mobile broadband users.
Industry experts note that the debate reflects a global divide between telecom operators and technology vendors over the future of mid-band spectrum. The decision will influence India’s digital infrastructure strategy, impacting everything from home broadband to enterprise networks and IoT deployments.
The government’s final stance on 6GHz allocation is expected to shape both India’s 5G roadmap and the competitiveness of its Wi-Fi ecosystem in the years ahead.
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