US Tech Giants Oppose Indian Telcos on 6GHz

Apple, Cisco, Broadcom, and HPE jointly oppose Jio and Vodafone Idea in a high-stakes Indian regulatory battle over 6 GHz spectrum allocations.

A major international regulatory battle is intensifying as US technology giants Apple, Cisco, Broadcom, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have filed a joint opposition against Indian telecom operators Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea over the allocation of the coveted 6GHz radio spectrum band. This coalition represents a fundamental clash between the tech industry's vision for unlicensed Wi-Fi expansion and the telecom sector's demand for licensed spectrum to build 5G/6G networks. The outcome in India, the world's second-largest telecom market, will set a critical global precedent, influencing regulatory decisions from Brazil to Southeast Asia and determining the future architecture of next-generation wireless connectivity.

The US coalition's push for a full unlicensed allocation starkly contrasts with the Indian telcos' argument that they need this mid-band spectrum for cost-effective network capacity. This dispute highlights a deeper conflict over spectrum policy: whether to prioritize licensed cellular networks that generate direct government revenue or unlicensed Wi-Fi that fuels broader economic innovation. The US companies are delivering a unified front, arguing that a licensed approach would stifle the Wi-Fi innovation that drives everything from enterprise networks to consumer devices, while Indian carriers warn of a national capacity crunch.

For global telecom regulators and equipment vendors, this dispute is a strategic bellwether. It necessitates a careful evaluation of how to balance competing economic models in a finite resource. The forward-looking insight is clear: the 6GHz decision will either cement the dominance of traditional telecom infrastructure or unleash a new wave of wireless enterprise and consumer applications. A ruling in favor of the US tech coalition would accelerate the development of Wi-Fi 7 and beyond, while a win for Indian telcos would reinforce the licensed spectrum model for future cellular generations. The entire industry is watching.