en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Broadband India Forum (BIF) convened government officials, regulators, industry representatives, and international technology organizations at the 2026 World Wi-Fi Day to discuss the role of next-generation Wi-Fi technology in expanding broadband access and supporting India's digital economy.
Themed "Unlocking the 6 GHz Opportunity: Empowering India's Digital Future through Next-Gen Wi-Fi," the conference focused on the potential of Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and the recently unlicensed lower 6 GHz spectrum band to improve broadband availability, strengthen public Wi-Fi networks, and meet growing data demands.
Key stakeholders included Dr. R.S. Sharma, former Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and former CEO of the National Health Authority; Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology) of the Digital Communications Commission at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT); and Manoj Tandon, Director (Projects & Operations) at RailTel and Chairman of the BIF Wi-Fi Committee. Representatives from the Wi-Fi Alliance, the Wireless Broadband Alliance, the DoT, TRAI, and various technology companies also attended the meeting.
Speakers emphasized the importance of expanding public Wi-Fi infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and advocated for further opening the remaining portion of the 6 GHz spectrum band to support future wireless technologies. Rudra Narayan Palai noted the significant benefits of additional unlicensed spectrum for broadband services. He stated that the availability of the lower 6 GHz band has substantially expanded the spectrum resources available for unlicensed wireless broadband services, and with exponential growth in data traffic and increasing bandwidth demands from digital applications, access to additional spectrum is crucial for maintaining service quality and supporting future development.
Dr. R.S. Sharma highlighted the role of affordable broadband access in driving digital inclusion and innovation across the country. He referenced the government's PM-WANI initiative, calling it a transformative platform for expanding connectivity through local entrepreneurs and community institutions. Sharma stated that PM-WANI is India's "UPI moment for connectivity," aiming to democratize broadband access through millions of small entrepreneurs, local bodies, and community institutions. He added that reducing deployment barriers would help the ecosystem achieve its intended scale and impact.
A key agenda item of the event was the release of BIF's white paper, "PM-WANI: The Foundation of India's Digital Public Infrastructure." The report examines the opportunities presented by the 6 GHz band and outlines policy measures that could accelerate the deployment of next-generation Wi-Fi technologies in India. Participants noted that Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum are increasingly being viewed as critical components of national digital infrastructure, underpinning data growth, innovation, entrepreneurship, and broader economic development.
TV Ramachandran, Chairman of the Broadband India Forum, summarized the discussions, emphasizing that sustained policy support is essential for expanding affordable connectivity. He noted that as India moves towards a digitally driven economy, high-capacity, widely available connectivity will become crucial. Ramachandran believes that with adequate unlicensed spectrum and fiber infrastructure support, next-generation Wi-Fi networks will play a significant role in extending digital services to individuals, businesses, and institutions across the country. The discussions reflected a growing consensus among policymakers and industry stakeholders that expanding unlicensed spectrum access and strengthening public Wi-Fi infrastructure are vital to meeting India's future connectivity needs.
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