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Broadband India Forum lauds government's move to open 6 GHz spectrum
Broadband India Forum lauds government's move to open 6 GHz spectrum

Time of India

time25-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Broadband India Forum lauds government's move to open 6 GHz spectrum

New Delhi: On the occasion of World Wi-Fi Day , TV Ramachandran , President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), hailed the government's recent decision to delicense 500 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum , calling it a significant move for India's digital future. Speaking to at an event in Delhi, Ramachandran emphasised the importance of the decision, which had been under consideration for several years. "Today was a very important event... In particular circumstances today, the government has recently launched 500 MHz of delicensed 6 GHz spectrum that has been in the works for the last 3 or 4 years. And it's a great step, probably the first step towards that direction, and this is going to help innovation, R&D, and connectivity for high-data applications..." he said. The decision came as part of India's efforts to improve digital access, promote Wi-Fi connectivity , and boost innovation and research in the high-speed wireless data space. The 6 GHz band is expected to play a major role in enhancing Wi-Fi services, especially for bandwidth-heavy applications such as online education, remote work, telemedicine, and IoT (Internet of Things). Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as "an invisible force capable of powering visible change," Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. "Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot," said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages.

World Wi-Fi Day: Broadband India Forum President lauds govt's move to open 6 GHz spectrum
World Wi-Fi Day: Broadband India Forum President lauds govt's move to open 6 GHz spectrum

India Gazette

time24-06-2025

  • Business
  • India Gazette

World Wi-Fi Day: Broadband India Forum President lauds govt's move to open 6 GHz spectrum

New Delhi [India], June 24 (ANI): On the occasion of World Wi-Fi Day, TV Ramachandran, President of the Broadband India Forum (BIF), hailed the government's recent decision to delicense 500 MHz of the 6 GHz spectrum, calling it a significant move for India's digital future. Speaking to ANI at an event in Delhi, Ramachandran emphasised the importance of the decision, which had been under consideration for several years. 'Today was a very important event... In particular circumstances today, the government has recently launched 500 MHz of delicensed 6 GHz spectrum that has been in the works for the last 3 or 4 years. And it's a great step, probably the first step towards that direction, and this is going to help innovation, R&D, and connectivity for high-data applications...' he said. The decision came as part of India's efforts to improve digital access, promote Wi-Fi connectivity, and boost innovation and research in the high-speed wireless data space. The 6 GHz band is expected to play a major role in enhancing Wi-Fi services, especially for bandwidth-heavy applications such as online education, remote work, telemedicine, and IoT (Internet of Things). Earlier in the day, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in his keynote address at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, stated that Wi-Fi will be a $22 billion segment in India by 2035, playing a transformative role in the nation's digital journey. Describing Wi-Fi as 'an invisible force capable of powering visible change,' Scindia hailed India's rapid strides in digital inclusion, noting that India now contributes 46 per cent of global digital transactions. He emphasised that connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a fundamental tool of empowerment, akin to access to capital and infrastructure in previous eras. 'Wi-Fi is not just about internet access; it's about widespread inclusion in India in the future. Every hotspot must become a hope spot,' said Scindia, outlining a vision for grassroots entrepreneurship driven by affordable devices, ubiquitous networks, and deregulated spectrum. He underscored Prime Minister Modi's vision behind PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) as a game-changer that democratises digital access, especially in villages. (ANI)

Satcom providers junk Indian telcos' demand for level-playing field
Satcom providers junk Indian telcos' demand for level-playing field

Time of India

time19-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Satcom providers junk Indian telcos' demand for level-playing field

NEW DELHI: Satellite communications ( satcom ) players have junked the telecom industry 's call of seeking a level-playing field between mobile and space broadband services. Broadband India Forum (BIF), which represent technology and satcom companies such as Google, Meta, OneWeb, Tata's Nelco, Hughes, among others, has staunchly opposed telecom carriers' opinion that the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has kept satellite spectrum pricing low and non-transparent, compared to prices of spectrum for terrestrial services . The issues of 'level playing field' and 'same service same rule' are based on certain basic legal principles of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. According to the Delhi-based association, the core doctrinal requirement under the said Article is that entities must be similarly situated for similar treatment. 'In other words, unequals (satcom and terrestrial services) cannot be treated equally. We submit that two differently placed services which are intrinsically based on different technologies, different regulations and laws, having different intended use, different rights and obligations, cannot be deemed as similar or substitutable or competing services,' TV Ramachandran, director-general of BIF, said in a letter to Neeraj Mittal, secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT). ETTelecom has reviewed a copy of the letter dated June 18, 2025. TRAI had recommended the administrative allocation of satcom spectrum for a fee pegged at 4% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) to be assigned for five years. There won't be any upfront fee for getting spectrum. TRAI Chairman AK Lahoti had categorically rejected the level-playing field argument by telcos, stating that the two technologies were different and that satellites could only be complementary. In turn, BIF termed the Cellular Operators Association of India 's ( COAI ) claims as 'detached from reality', adding that the latter's members have formed commercial partnerships with global satellite service providers, including billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink, and AST SpaceMobile, which demonstrates complementarity between terrestrial and satellite services. In terms of economic scale, BIF said terrestrial telcos in India generate over ₹3.36 lakh crore annually, while the combined satcom market barely touches ₹540-600 crore, or just 0.2% of telco revenue, which 'discredits' any claim of market overlap or substitutability. Ramachandran further said that the cost of the devices is of the order of ₹25,000 (satcom) versus ₹5,000 (terrestrial), with the scale being of the order of 1:5. Likewise, he noted that the number of satellite terminals manufactured in 2024 by the largest satellite service provider was approximately 3 million globally, whereas in India, almost 150 million mobile devices are sold. 'These numbers expose the fallacy of any claim of substitutability or competitive parity,' the executive said. BIF's statement comes close on the heels of telcos, in a recent joint letter through the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) to various government authorities, slamming the sector regulator's recommendations on satcom spectrum pricing , calling them unjustifiably low. Telcos had cautioned the government that if TRAI's recommendations were implemented in their current form, they would create a non-level playing field and impact the sustainability of terrestrial telecom services. 'By no stretch of imagination, satellite communication service providers and terrestrial communication providers are similar or equal. To put both categories at par is wholly unjustified, arbitrary, unconstitutional, being violative of Article unequal entities in this case, which are satcom services ought to be treated differently,' Ramachandran said. 'Due to multiple reasons, the satellite services would not even be an alternative (to terrestrial network). It's a minor complementary, and not even a major complementary service,' Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani told ETTelecom in a recent interview, adding that "there is no need to worry" about it.

Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices
Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices

Time of India

time06-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices

New Delhi: The technology industry wants the power levels permitted for Wi-Fi and other devices to be used under the 6 GHz spectrum band to be reviewed and aligned with global standards, so that users can get the best performances and devices remain affordable. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has come out with draft rules for use of low power and very low power wireless systems in the lower 6 GHz band, which has been delicensed, or will be allocated without auctions. Once the consultation on the draft rules is over, the final rules will be notified allowing the latest Wi-Fi routers and gaming consoles to work in India. As per experts, the current power levels proposed by DoT may limit the range and throughput of very low power devices. The DoT has proposed a maximum power spectral density (PSD) level of -5 dBm/MHz and total transmit power of 14 dBm for such devices. The industry wants it to be revised to 1 dBm/MHz for very low power indoor and outdoor devices otherwise it could have a major impact on the performance of Wi-Fi advanced applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) collectively, which demand high throughput and latency performance Although this increase is not beneficial to applications requiring wide channel bandwidth sizes of 80/160/320MHz, it can incrementally help with very low power applications utilising 20 MHz and 40 MHz channel sizes. As per Broadband India Forum (BIF), which counts tech majors like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon as members, the permitted power levels need to be reviewed so as to permit equitable distribution of devices in indoor and outdoor environments. 'Also, it needs to be aligned with global best practices to enable use of affordably priced devices in India,' BIF President TV Ramachandran said. He also reiterated the demand to delicense another 160 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band so that the full economic benefits can be realised. The government has so far delicensed 500 MHz spectrum ((5925-6425 MHz) in the band. 'The complete benefits of license exemption of 6GHz spectrum band can only be realised when at least an additional 160 MHz is delicensed – bringing the total to at least 660 MHz,' Ramachandran said. Experts said the 6 GHz band can offer data speeds of up to 9.6 gigabits per second (Gbps), against 1.3 Gbps in the 5 GHz band and 600 megabit per second (Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. Over 84 countries, including the US, UK and South Korea, have already delicensed the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi services. Wi-Fi services are currently offered in India through the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. These are congested and offer limited speeds and capacity for data-heavy applications such as online gaming, internet of things, assisted reality and virtual reality.

Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices
Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices

Time of India

time05-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

Tech companies seek higher power limit for Wi-Fi devices

The tech industry urges a review of Wi-Fi power levels in the 6 GHz band. They seek alignment with global standards for better performance and affordable devices. The Department of Telecommunications is drafting rules for low-power wireless systems. Industry experts believe current power levels may limit device range. Broadband India Forum requests delicensing of additional spectrum for economic benefits. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The technology industry wants the power levels permitted for Wi-Fi and other devices to be used under the 6 GHz spectrum band to be reviewed and aligned with global standards, so that users can get the best performances and devices remain Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has come out with draft rules for use of low power and very low power wireless systems in the lower 6 GHz band, which has been delicensed, or will be allocated without auctions. Once the consultation on the draft rules is over, the final rules will be notified allowing the latest Wi-Fi routers and gaming consoles to work in per experts, the current power levels proposed by DoT may limit the range and throughput of very low power devices. The DoT has proposed a maximum power spectral density (PSD) level of -5 dBm/MHz and total transmit power of 14 dBm for such industry wants it to be revised to 1 dBm/MHz for very low power indoor and outdoor devices otherwise it could have a major impact on the performance of Wi-Fi advanced applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) collectively, which demand high throughput and latency this increase is not beneficial to applications requiring wide channel bandwidth sizes of 80/160/320MHz, it can incrementally help with very low power applications utilising 20 MHz and 40 MHz channel per Broadband India Forum (BIF), which counts tech majors like Meta, Google, Microsoft, Amazon as members, the permitted power levels need to be reviewed so as to permit equitable distribution of devices in indoor and outdoor environments."Also, it needs to be aligned with global best practices to enable use of affordably priced devices in India," BIF President TV Ramachandran also reiterated the demand to delicense another 160 MHz spectrum in the 6 GHz band so that the full economic benefits can be realised. The government has so far delicensed 500 MHz spectrum ((5925-6425 MHz) in the band."The complete benefits of license exemption of 6GHz spectrum band can only be realised when at least an additional 160 MHz is delicensed - bringing the total to at least 660 MHz," Ramachandran 84 countries, including the US, UK and South Korea, have already delicensed the 6 GHz band for Wi-Fi services.

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