The 6GHz band is necessary for successful roll-out of 5G

In order to satisfy its minimum requirement of 2 Ghz mid-band spectrum by 2030, India requires the 6GHz spectrum to be put up for auction.

In India, the rollout of 5G is proceeding quickly, but it would need to cover every part of the nation in order to guarantee enduring impact along with last-stretch connectivity.

The mid-band spectrum plays a crucial role for widespread 5G deployment, therefore the telcos will want a sufficient spectrum in this band to be provide 5G to clients nationwide. Telcos competed for mid-band spectrum in t3.3-3.67 GHz range during the 5G spectrum auction in 2022. But, the telecom operators will manage using more than this to cover the last tranche of India.

For a successful rollout, the GSMA claims that each nation must have access to at least 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum. By auctioning the 6 GHz spectrum, India will have the chance to provide that to the carriers. GSMA in its report stated that, "6 GHz 5G spectrum can play a central role in sustainable social and industrial development. This section gives guidance on why the mobile industry believes the 6 GHz range is vital to the future of global connectivity.

As enhanced broadband, IoT, data, analytics, and insight permeate every aspect of society, mobile networks will require spectrum capacity plans that are integrated into a long-term vision of each nation’s future."

With its ability to offer high-capacity, city-wide 5G, mid-band spectrum plays a core role in delivering 5G networks all over the world. In fact, mid-band 5G spectrum will deliver more than $610 billion in global GDP in 2030, accounting for almost 65% of the overall socio-economic value generated by 5G, according to research from GSMA Intelligence.

Nevertheless, the Broadband India Forum(BIF) on behalf of the tech industry advocates for de-licensing the Wi-Fi spectrum in the 6 GHz range, because Wi-Fi services offer access in places where mobile networks are weak, and tech organisations think they complement mobile networks.

The telecom companies will face shortage in their mid-band portfolio if the 6GHz band is de-licensed. The GSMA in its blog added, "for 5G to flourish, each country needs 2 GHz of mid-band spectrum to meet demand by 2030. This is a challenging goal, but the earliest adopters are starting to move closer to this target in their spectrum roadmaps and through assignments. Governments around the world need to make a carefully considered decision as to what the most efficient use of 6 GHz spectrum will be. For countries that want to maximise the socio-economic benefits delivered by 6 GHz and invest in the future of mobile, deployment of 5G in the upper 6 GHz band is crucial."

In order to satisfy its minimum requirement of 2 Ghz mid-band spectrum by 2030, India requires the 6GHz spectrum to be put up for auction. In the upcoming years, a growing number of upgraded Internet of Things (IoT) devices will begin using 5G's capacity. Th only choice telecom operators are left with is to add the 6GHz spectrum to their spectrum.

If the government de-licences the 6 GHz spectrum, it will forfeit a significant portion of the money it can possibly make by putting it up for sale. The tech businesses demand the 6GHz spectrum to be de-licensed, but the telecom companies want it put up for auctioning first.