India is likely to reserve a portion of the crucial 6GHz band for telecom operators to provide 5G and 6G services.

The upper portion of the band — 6425-7125 MHz — may be reserved by the end of 2024 or early 2025. A high-powered committee is examining the matter.

Telecom and Tech firms have different views on the band. Telcos would like to have the band for 5G/6G services, tech firms are advocating its use for public WiFi.

The 6GHz band includes frequency in 5925-7125 MHz’s. It provides faster speed. The band is used by ISRO for satellite operations. ISRO raises interference issues with satellites if the band is allotted.

China has allotted the band for 5G/6G. Therefore, other countries would also like to do the same. It could create a whole eco-system.

The government can satisfy ISRO’s concern by vacating Ku band for satellite operations. (12GHz). The US has delivered 6GHz band for WiFi. China, on the other hand, has given it to telecom operators. It is an issue of co-existence between telecom and satcom.

There is no decision on lower 6GHz band. It is open to be given either for WiFi or telecom services.

If the band is reserved for Telcoms, it will be advantageous for Chinese equipment makers such as Huawei and ZTE. This raises the security issues.

If in 6GHz, 1200MHz is not utilized for telecom, the cost of infrastructure will increase as there would be a need to have towers at short distances. 5G is requires 2GHz or 2000MHz. There is a deficiency of 1200MHz.

Telcoms contend that administrative allocation of 6GHz would result in a potential loss of Rs.3 lac crore. It is objectionable.