US Tech Giants Oppose Jio, Vi’s Push for 6GHz Mobile Spectrum in India

Major US tech companies — Apple, Amazon, Meta, Cisco, HP and Intel — have jointly opposed Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea’s demand to allocate the 6GHz band for mobile networks. They want the entire 6GHz band reserved for Wi-Fi and unlicensed use.

What the US Companies Said

In their joint response to Trai’s spectrum auction consultation:

• The 6GHz band is not technologically or commercially ready for mobile use.

• No timeline should be set for auctioning 6425–6725 MHz and 7025–7125 MHz.

• Trai and DoT should wait for decisions of WRC-27, which will study the 7.125–8.4 GHz range.

• Any unused portion of the upper 6GHz band should be temporarily opened for unlicensed use.

Government’s Plan

• 400 MHz of 6GHz spectrum is ready for auction now.

• Another 300 MHz will be available by 2030.

• 500 MHz (lower 6GHz: 5925–6425 MHz) is already delicensed for low-power Wi-Fi.

Telcos vs Tech Giants

• Reliance Jio wants the entire 1200 MHz in the 6GHz band included in the next auction.

• Vodafone Idea wants the 400 MHz immediately available to be auctioned soon.

• Airtel wants the auction postponed due to lack of device and network readiness.

Qualcomm vs COAI

• Qualcomm supports a delay, saying:

  • The upper 6GHz band will be crucial for 6G.

  • Global players like China, Brazil and Europe plan to use all 700 MHz for future mobile networks.

  • India should align with global norms after WRC-27.

• COAI (Jio, Airtel, Vi) strongly opposes delicensing:

  • It would permanently block the band from future mobile broadband.

  • Unlicensed use benefits foreign tech platforms and reduces government revenue.

  • Licensed spectrum is essential for Digital Bharat, nationwide coverage, and future 6G applications such as connected mobility and industrial automation.