India: DoT Exempts Lower 6 GHz RLAN from Licensing
On January 20, 2026, the DoT issued the “Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in Lower 6 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2026.” The rules entered into force on the same day.
The regulation exempts specific wireless access systems operating in the 5925–6425 MHz band from licensing requirements, subject to defined technical conditions.
Scope and technical framework:
Frequency range: 5925–6425 MHz
Integrated antennas required
Contention-based protocols must be implemented
Applicable for indoor and outdoor use (land vehicles are not considered indoor use)
Power limits:
Low Power Indoor (LPI) devices: Maximum EIRP of 30 dBm
Very Low Power (VLP) outdoor devices: Maximum EIRP of 14 dBm
If a device causes harmful interference to licensed systems and does not comply with the technical requirements, corrective measures may include:
Reduction of transmission power
Use of specific antenna types
Discontinuation of the product
The rules are intended to support deployment of wireless access technologies while ensuring efficient spectrum management in the 5925–6425 MHz band.
Source (Hindi only):
https://www.dot.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/02/88f0ac8c74eb6f6907934d17d0015ab5.pdf