Friday 17 April, 2026
This report discusses the potential benefits and importance of the 6 GHz band in the India market, including the vision for the band, cost-benefit analysis, market analysis, and socio-economic benefits. Mid-band spectrum is identified as the only way for leading countries to meet future data traffic demands, with the potential for unconstrained 5G to add almost $27 bn to India’s GDP by 2030.
The report emphasizes the need for partnership between the government and the mobile sector, highlights the impact on connectivity, economic growth, and sustainability, and provides data on mobile service adoption, the usage gap, and the importance of affordable connectivity in bridging the digital divide.
Additionally, it focuses on the mid-band spectrum needs of 5G in India, including spectrum requirements, the impact of insufficient spectrum on network densification and energy consumption, the importance of mid-band spectrum for affordable fixed wireless access, and the current mid-band spectrum holdings in India. It also highlights the need for additional spectrum, particularly in the 6 GHz band, to bridge the gap with leading 5G markets and support the rapid growth of 5G in India.
India has become one of the fastest growing 5G markets globally in recent years with almost 175 million 5G connections by the end of March 2024 and greatly improved mobile download speeds. As India develops 5G-Advanced and beyond it will depend on the adoption and commercialisation of the upper 6 GHz band as the only mid-band spectrum currently available to respond to future data traffic demands.
