FACT-CHECKING THE FAD FOR DELICENSING MID-BAND SPECTRUM

India needs to secure and plan the availability of the 6 GHz band spectrum to meet the future needs of 5G mobile communications and beyond

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In the world of telecom, the spectrum can easily be considered Oxygen. It is, without doubt, the most vital component in a complex mix of ingredients required to produce an efficiently working network and deliver connectivity services to the customers. It is no surprise then, that adequate spectrum is the primary factor to determine the efficiency of how the telecom networks perform.

Given that over 96% of subscribers in India access broadband through mobile devices, it is important to ensure that the spectrum supply is sufficient to cater to their incredibly fast-rising appetite for data. This is beside the fact that as we move to more advanced technologies like 5G, 6G and so on, the spectrum requirements are shifting to higher bands like mmWave, which have much higher capacities, but lack in coverage reach. This is where the mid-band spectrum comes into play, as they offer a great balance between both capacity and reach, and would be critical for the deployment of 5G in India.

The criticality of mid-bands for 5G and its evolution is established by the fact that out of the 176 global 5G networks rolled out, around 70% (~120 networks) have harnessed mid-bands.

However, a contention has been rising in this regard as certain quarters are lobbying for the mid-band spectrum, especially the 6 GHz band, to be delicensed for Wi-Fi use.

The advocacy is based on how global economies like the EU, South Korea, USA, UK, etc. have dealt with it (partially in most cases). The prime issue in India, however, is the unrealistic comparison with such countries. One must understand that being a stationary technology, Wi-Fi is more dependent on last-mile connectivity for effective functioning.