Summary:
Despite regulatory approval for the 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 adoption in India remains extremely low, with Ookla reporting that 72.2% of Wi-Fi 6-compatible smartphones still connect to older home routers and 6 GHz usage standing at 0.1% or less. The limited improvement in download speeds when upgrading from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 is also linked to 72.4% of broadband connections offering speeds below 100 Mbps. Wider adoption will require modernising router infrastructure, with telecom operators such as Jio and Airtel encouraged to provide Wi-Fi 6-compatible devices alongside new broadband connections.
Jio Platforms has reportedly engaged in discussions with multiple companies, including Comcast and Charter Communications, to explore licensing its wireless broadband technology in exchange for possible equity stakes in their businesses. The company also held negotiations with South Africa-based MTN Group, but the discussions broke down after both parties failed to reach an agreement on valuation and certain licensing matters. No timeline has been established for reaching an agreement with any of the companies.
Reliance has been indicating for several months that it intends to expand the proprietary technology into international markets, calling it a world-first innovation. The technology uses freely available, unlicensed Wi-Fi spectrum to provide home internet services at a lower cost than conventional cable or mobile broadband connections. A potential partnership with Comcast or Charter could help Jio establish a presence in the US market, where cable operators are facing increasing customer losses in the home broadband segment to fixed wireless and fibre services.
