Next billion digital experiences will run on Wi-Fi as 6 GHz unlocks itself

At Broadband India Forum’s World Wi-Fi Day celebrations, leaders call for next-generation Wi-Fi to power India’s digital future

Broadband India Forum today commemorated World Wi-Fi Day 2026 by bringing together senior government leaders, regulators, industry experts and global technology organisations to deliberate on the role of next-generation Wi-Fi technologies in accelerating broadband proliferation, digital inclusion and India’s transition towards an AI-enabled digital economy.

The timely conference, organised under the theme Unlocking the 6 GHz Opportunity, Powering India’s Digital Future Through Next-Generation Wi-Fi, focused on the transformative potential of Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 and the recently delicensed 6 GHz spectrum band in expanding affordable broadband access and strengthening public Wi-Fi ecosystems.

The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries such as Dr RS Sharma, Former Chairman, TRAI and Former CEO, National Health Authority; Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology), Digital Communications Commission, Department of Telecommunications; Manoj Tandon, Director-Project & Operations, Railtel and Chair, BIF Wi-Fi Committee; alongside senior representatives from the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wireless Broadband Alliance, DoT, TRAI and leading global technology companies. The distinguished speakers called for reforms and support for Public Wi-Fi hotspots in rural and underserved areas, as well as further delicensing of the rest of the 6 GHz band to enable next gen advancements.

Rudra Narayan Palai, Member (Technology), Digital Communications Commission, emphasised the importance of future-ready wireless infrastructure. He said, “The availability of the Lower 6 GHz band substantially expands the spectrum resources available for licence-exempt wireless broadband services. It reinforces the importance of adopting globally standardised technologies. At a time when data traffic is growing exponentially and digital applications are becoming increasingly bandwidth-intensive, access to additional spectrum is essential to maintain quality of service and support future growth.”

Dr. RS Sharma, Former Chairman, TRAI, underscored the importance of affordable and ubiquitous broadband access as a key enabler of digital inclusion and innovation. He specifically mentioned, “PM-WANI is India’s “UPI moment for connectivity.” It is deliberately designed to democratise broadband access through millions of small entrepreneurs, local establishments and community institutions. It is an open, interoperable and federated Digital Public Infrastructure designed to unlock innovation, entrepreneurship and affordable broadband access at scale. The objective should be to remove the friction that is suppressing its growth and allow the ecosystem to realise its full transformative potential.”

A major highlight of the conference was the release of BIF’s latest White Paper titled, PM-WANI, The Foundation for India’s Digital Public Infrastructure. The paper examines the opportunities presented by the 6 GHz band and the policy measures required to accelerate deployment of next-generation Wi-Fi technologies in India.

The deliberations highlighted the growing global consensus that Wi-Fi and unlicensed spectrum constitute critical pillars of national digital infrastructure and are essential to supporting future growth in data consumption, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic competitiveness.

TV Ramachandran, President, Broadband India Forum reiterated the need for continued policy support, “As India advances towards becoming a trillion-dollar digital economy, affordable, high-capacity and ubiquitous connectivity will be indispensable. Next-generation Wi-Fi, enabled by adequate unlicensed spectrum and supported by fibre infrastructure, will play a critical role in ensuring that digital transformation reaches every citizen, enterprise and institution across the country.”
BCS Bureau