**Telecom Operators Demand 6GHz Band for Future Network Needs**
Meta estimates a staggering $3 trillion economic value from delicensing 500 MHz of the 6 GHz band spectrum, significantly overshadowing the $254 billion projected from the 700 MHz segment set for government auction. However, Reliance Jio has contested this figure, asserting that the calculations are not directly comparable.
As India prepares for upcoming spectrum auctions next year, the debate over the allocation of the high-speed 6 GHz spectrum intensifies. Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd has publicly challenged Meta Inc’s claim that allowing unlicensed use of the lower end of the band could yield $3 trillion in economic benefits for the country over the next decade.
The potential for licence-free access could facilitate the rollout of next-generation technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7, along with devices such as the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro and new smart glasses from Apple and Meta. However, telecom operators emphasize the necessity of the 6 GHz band to meet the growing demands for high-speed and high-capacity networks essential for 5G and 6G services.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed allocating 500 MHz of the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use while planning to auction the remaining 700 MHz to telecom operators. Notably, 300 MHz of this spectrum will not be available for auction until December 2030, as it is currently occupied by existing users, including satellite and defense authorities.
Both major technology firms and telecom operators are vying for the entire 1200 MHz of the band for their respective purposes. Alan Norman, Meta’s public policy director, highlighted at a recent spectrum management conference in New Delhi that the estimated value of $3 trillion from delicensing 500 MHz translates to approximately $6 billion per MHz. In contrast, he noted that auctioning the upper 700 MHz could generate an economic value of $254 billion over the same period.
Norman referenced an analysis by Telecom Advisory Services, which considered consumer and producer benefits, particularly from the deployment of IoT technologies, alongside anticipated revenues from telecom auctions in the 6 GHz band based on estimates from the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
In response, Reliance Jio argued that Meta’s $3 trillion projection may have included broader economic factors, such as device manufacturing costs and revenues from over-the-top (OTT) services, which do not provide a direct comparison to the value that telecom operators could generate from the band. Jio emphasized the need for a side-by-side comparison with telecom operators, suggesting a similar analysis for the 3.5 GHz band, which is crucial for 5G deployment.
**FAQ**
**What is the significance of the 6 GHz band for telecom operators?**
The 6 GHz band is crucial for telecom operators as it supports the high-speed and high-capacity network requirements necessary for the deployment of advanced technologies like 5G and 6G, enabling faster and more reliable connectivity for users.