In a strategic shift that may redefine spectrum deployment in India, Reliance Jio has sought approval from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to use its 26 GHz 5G spectrum for delivering WiFi services. The request, if approved, could signal a new hybrid broadband model combining mobile and fixed wireless access solutions in dense urban markets.
The proposal falls under Clause 2.3 of the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) issued during the July 2022 spectrum auction. This clause mandates that any spectrum originally allotted for mobile services must get prior DoT approval before being deployed for alternative technologies like WiFi.
As per the rule, such requests need to be submitted at least six months in advance of commercial deployment for non-standard use cases.
The 26 GHz millimeter-wave band has faced hurdles in India due to its limited device ecosystem. In a recent development, the Adani Group sold its 400 MHz holding in the same band to Bharti Airtel, citing the absence of viable business use cases.
Jio’s application highlights how spectrum utility is evolving, especially in frequency bands awaiting commercial maturity.
DoT officials confirmed receiving the request from Jio and stated that the proposal is under review. So far, Jio has not issued an official statement regarding the development.
Currently, Indian telcos typically use the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum to provide public and home WiFi services. The 3,300 MHz and 26 GHz bands, on the other hand, are designated for mobile 5G operations.
Experts suggest that Jio may be looking to deploy a hybrid model by using the 5 GHz band for coverage and the 26 GHz band for high-speed capacity in bandwidth-intensive areas such as business parks, stadiums, or dense city zones.
During the 2022 5G spectrum auctions, Jio emerged as the highest bidder, investing ₹88,078 crore. This included:
₹33,740 crore for 2,200 MHz in the 3,300 MHz band
₹6,990 crore for 22,000 MHz in the 26 GHz band
In comparison, Bharti Airtel spent ₹43,084 crore for 19,867.8 MHz of spectrum, including:
₹31,700 crore for 3,300 MHz
₹5,592 crore for 17,600 MHz in the 26 GHz band
If DoT grants Jio the green light, Bharti Airtel is expected to make a similar request. Despite being globally designated for 5G, the 26 GHz band has yet to achieve mass adoption due to limited device compatibility.
One of the incentives behind acquiring the 26 GHz band lies in its Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) exemption for post-September 2021 allocations. Revenue generated solely on this band remains separate from legacy SUC-liable bands, allowing telcos to reduce their overall SUC burden.
In contrast, while the 3,300 MHz band is also SUC-free, it’s typically blended with older holdings in integrated networks, limiting SUC optimization opportunities.
Analysts believe that a green signal for Jio could challenge the position of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The industry body has recently opposed DoT’s proposal to de-license the lower 6 GHz band for WiFi, citing threats to mobile network performance.
However, if a licensed mobile spectrum like 26 GHz is officially repurposed for WiFi, the argument against unlicensed bands could weaken.
Conclusion: Jio's Bet on Spectrum Versatility
With India’s telecom landscape rapidly evolving, Jio’s push to repurpose 5G airwaves for high-speed WiFi could set a new precedent in spectrum utilization. If approved, this may pave the way for more innovative and financially efficient deployments—especially in markets where fiber rollout remains slow.