India’s 6GHz Spectrum Dilemma and Its Impact on the PS5 Pro Console Launch (GS Paper 3, Technology)
Context
- India’s stance on the allocation of the 6GHz wireless spectrum has had a significant effect on the PlayStation 5 Pro (PS5 Pro) launch in the country.
- While the PS5 Pro has already been released in major international markets, Sony has not made any announcement regarding its availability in India.
- The primary reason, as noted by Sony, is India’s non-allocation of the 6GHz spectrum, which is essential for the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology.
Wi-Fi Bands and Their Role in Connectivity
Wi-Fi connectivity in India, and around the world, primarily operates on two key frequency bands:
These bands have specific characteristics:
- 2.4GHz offers wider coverage but limited data speeds.
- 5GHz provides faster speeds but with a reduced coverage area.
These frequency bands were de-licensed in India in 2002, allowing for the widespread use of Wi-Fi for both indoor and outdoor connectivity. However, until recently, Wi-Fi technology had not evolved significantly in terms of frequency allocation, using only these two bands.
The Introduction of 6GHz Spectrum for Wi-Fi
- In 2021, a major change occurred in the Wi-Fi industry with the introduction of Wi-Fi 6E, which utilizes the 6GHz frequency spectrum (between 5,925MHz and 7,125MHz).
- This addition was expected to improve connectivity by offering theoretical maximum speeds up to 9.6Gbps, far surpassing the current 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies.
- However, India and China have yet to allow the use of the 6GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi, limiting the rollout of Wi-Fi 6E technology in these regions.
- In countries like Japan, South Korea, United States, and the UK, the 6GHz band has been de-licensed, enabling devices like routers and smartphones to take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6E and its benefits.
India’s Stance on the 6GHz Spectrum
- Currently, in India, the 6GHz spectrum is allocated to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for satellite communications.
- This allocation is not expected to interfere with Wi-Fi usage; however, the conflict of interest arises when telecom operators demand this spectrum for future 5G and 6G technologies, creating a competing demand between telecom companies and tech companies that want the spectrum for Wi-Fi.
- The World Radiocommunications Conference of 2023 granted India an extension until 2027 to decide on how to use the 6GHz spectrum, adding to the regulatory uncertainty.
Impact on PS5 Pro Launch in India
Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro uses the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, which relies on the 6GHz band for optimal performance. Without the availability of the 6GHz spectrum in India, devices like the PS5 Pro are unable to fully utilize the advanced Wi-Fi features of the technology. As a result, Sony announced on November 8, 2024, that the PS5 Pro would not be available in countries (including India) where the 6GHz band is not allowed.
Key Points from Sony’s Announcement:
- PS5 Pro’s Wi-Fi 7 compatibility requires the 6GHz spectrum to achieve its maximum speed and efficiency.
- India’s current regulatory stance on the 6GHz spectrum means that Sony cannot launch the console as intended in the Indian market.
Global Situation vs. India’s Spectrum Issues
- Other countries, including Apple and Samsung, have launched smartphones and routers with Wi-Fi 6E support, but those devices are programmed to avoid the 6GHz band in regions like India.
- This approach allows the devices to function normally but without leveraging the full potential of Wi-Fi 6E.
- Sony could potentially take a similar approach, releasing a PS5 Pro model in India with limited Wi-Fi capabilities (without the 6GHz support) until regulatory clarity is achieved.
- However, this would likely require modifying hardware or creating a separate India-specific model of the PS5 Pro, which could delay its launch.
What’s Next for India’s 6GHz Spectrum Debate?
- Telecom Operators are pushing to use the 6GHz band for 5G and 6G technologies, which would involve the high-frequency band supporting faster data rates and more robust networks.
- Tech Companies, including Google, Meta, and Amazon, advocate for the band’s use for Wi-Fi and have pushed the Indian government to adopt the US model for allocating the 6GHz spectrum.
- Possible Outcome: India might follow a model similar to Australia, which has allocated part of the 6GHz band for Wi-Fi use while deliberating on the rest. The government may allow partial de-licensing of the spectrum to enable both Wi-Fi and telecom usage.
Conclusion
- The PS5 Pro’s delayed release in India due to the lack of 6GHz spectrum allocation highlights the growing importance of advanced wireless technologies like Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
- While the 6GHz spectrum dilemma creates regulatory challenges, it is clear that the future of Wi-Fi technology in India will have significant implications for consumer electronics, telecom industries, and global businesses.
- Until the government resolves the conflict of interest between telecom operators and tech companies regarding spectrum allocation, India may experience delays in receiving the full benefits of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 technology, including the PS5 Pro and similar high-performance devices.
