Apple, Amazon, Meta unite against Reliance Jio, Vi’s 6GHz allocation demand, say ‘not ready for mobile yet’

By Admin

24 Nov, 2025

The debate over India’s 6GHz spectrum allocation has intensified as global tech giants and Indian telecom operators take sharply opposing positions. While Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea (Vi) are pushing for the 6GHz band to be auctioned for mobile use, major US technology companies like Apple, Amazon, Meta, Cisco, HP and Intel have jointly argued that the band is still not technically or commercially ready for mobile networks. Their stance has put them in direct conflict with India’s top telecom companies at a crucial moment in the nation’s 5G and future 6G roadmap.

US Tech Giants Oppose Mobile Use of the 6GHz Band

In a unified response to TRAI’s consultation paper on the upcoming spectrum auction, leading US tech companies emphasised that the 6GHz band should remain dedicated to Wi-Fi rather than mobile technology. They argued that both segments of the upper 6GHz range 6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz are not yet suitable for mobile services. Instead, they have advised TRAI and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to wait for global clarity, particularly the outcomes of WRC-27, which will also review the 7.125–8.4 GHz range.

The companies further suggested that any idle portion of the upper 6GHz band should be opened temporarily for unlicensed use. Their message was clear: prioritise Wi-Fi growth and avoid rushing India into allocating a band that is still years away from global mobile readiness.

Telcos Push for Auction as Govt Eyes Mixed-Use Model

India’s government has outlined a mixed-use plan for the 6GHz band:
– 400 MHz ready for auction immediately
– Another 300 MHz available by 2030
– 500 MHz delicensed for low-power Wi-Fi use

Reliance Jio, however, has demanded that the government include the entire 1200 MHz of the 6GHz band in the next auction even though 500 MHz in the lower segment (5925–6425 MHz) has already been opened for unlicensed Wi-Fi.

Vodafone Idea has joined the call, asking the government to auction the immediately-available 400 MHz in the next sale. Meanwhile, Airtel has taken a more cautious approach, requesting that the auction be delayed because compatible devices, network equipment and global harmonisation are still not fully ready.

Qualcomm and COAI on Opposite Sides

Global chipset maker Qualcomm has sided with the US tech companies on one key point: delay the 6GHz auction. Qualcomm emphasised that the upper 6GHz band is critical for India’s long-term mobile growth, particularly for upcoming 6G networks. It noted that several major markets China, Brazil and parts of Europe are evaluating the full 700 MHz of upper 6GHz for future 6G deployment. Waiting until after WRC-27, it suggested, would ensure India stays aligned with international standards and protects its technological future.

On the other hand, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) representing Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea strongly opposed any move to delicense the 6GHz band. COAI argued that licensed mobile spectrum offers reliability, quality of service and nationwide coverage essential for Digital Bharat and future applications like connected mobility, smart factories and industrial automation.

The association also warned that delicensing even part of the band would be an irreversible decision that could block its future use for mobile broadband. COAI claimed that allowing global tech firms to use the band for unlicensed Wi-Fi would reduce government revenue and give foreign companies an unfair advantage, ultimately hurting India’s telecom operators.

A Battle That Will Shape India’s Digital Future

The growing divide highlights a fundamental question: Should India prioritise expanding high-performance mobile networks or strengthening unlicensed Wi-Fi infrastructure? While telecom operators argue that licensed 6GHz spectrum is vital for 6G readiness, global tech companies believe that Wi-Fi-dependent ecosystems ranging from smartphones to IoT devices will benefit more if the 6GHz band remains open and unlicensed.

As India marches toward its Digital Bharat vision, the decision will have sweeping implications. The final stance of TRAI and DoT expected after global developments like WRC-27 will determine whether India leans toward a mobile-first or Wi-Fi-first future in the 6GHz spectrum band.