Why Wi-Fi Power Demands, IMT Auctions and Filter Design Could Undermine India’s 6 GHz Strategy — and How It Can Be Fixed
India’s 6 GHz band has become the centre of an intense policy and technical confrontation between two powerful lobbies — telecom operators and global technology companies.
On one side, telecom operators are demanding the entire 1200 MHz band be reserved for IMT (5G and 6G) services and pushed for immediate auctions. On the other, global companies such as Apple, Cisco, Broadcom, Intel and HP are warning that auctioning any part of the band will severely disrupt Wi-Fi innovation due to filter design limitations and unavoidable interference at the 6425 MHz border.
This video unpacks the complete controversy with clarity and technical depth.
What you will understand in this analysis:
- Why the 6425 MHz border is the most critical point of interference
- How Wi-Fi filter designs inherently cause spillover beyond licensed limits
- Why IMT and Wi-Fi cannot coordinate transmission like TDD operators can
- The contradiction in Jio’s stance — demanding IMT auctions while pushing for high-power Wi-Fi
- Why higher Wi-Fi power could degrade the very IMT spectrum being auctioned
- Historical parallels with the 2.3 GHz / 2.4 GHz coexistence model
- Why guard bands become unavoidable without intelligent spectrum design
The core argument
If high-power Wi-Fi is allowed close to the 6425 MHz boundary, the first IMT blocks will become vulnerable to interference, reducing their practical usability and financial value. This creates a structural policy contradiction that harms both telecom operators and Wi-Fi ecosystem growth.
A balanced, practical solution proposed
This presentation proposes a realistic middle ground:
- Allocate 160 MHz at the lower edge for high-power Wi-Fi
- Retain low-power Wi-Fi for the remaining 340 MHz
- Ensure IMT spectrum starts far enough to preserve edge usability
This solution preserves coexistence, avoids inefficient guard bands, and protects auction value — creating a genuine win-win framework for all stakeholders.
📚 References & Supporting Material
Articles & Research
- Spectrum Refarming: Is It Enough To Unlock True 5G And 6G Value?
https://paragkar.com/spectrum-refarming-is-it-enough-to-unlock-true-5g-and-6g-value/ - 6 GHz Band Allocation in India: The Clash for Access
https://paragkar.com/6-ghz-band-allocation-in-india-the-clash-for-access/ - Why the 6 GHz Band Needs Stronger WiFi Support to Succeed
https://paragkar.com/why-the-6-ghz-band-needs-stronger-wifi-support-to-succeed/ - Interactive Spectrum Maps
https://paragkar-spectrummaps.streamlit.app/
News Coverage
- US Tech Giants Oppose Jio & Vi’s 6 GHz Spectrum Plans
https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/apple-cisco-broadcom-and-hpe-join-forces-against-jio-and-vodafone-ideas-6ghz-spectrum-plans/125529455 - Jio Breaks Ranks With Peers Over 6 GHz Wi-Fi
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/jio-breaks-ranks-with-peers-over-6-ghz-waves-for-wifi/articleshow/121960328.cms
Related Videos
- Understanding the Impact of Wi-Fi 6 and the 6 GHz Band on India’s Telecom Landscape
https://youtu.be/-30yIrGqgrY - Jio’s U-Turn on 6 GHz Wi-Fi: What It Means for India’s Broadband Future
https://youtu.be/cB721cuJJzE - 6 GHz Wi-Fi: The Battle Begins! Power Limits, National Interest & Hidden Agendas
https://youtu.be/KwaM-0kBYdk - India’s 6 GHz WiFi Decision Explained
https://youtu.be/Ojj3Lc7Zawg - Jio Wants Wi-Fi on 5G Spectrum? Exposing the 26 GHz vs 6 GHz Hypocrisy
https://youtu.be/qU0RcKlfaSQ
