Use of Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access System, including Radio Local Area Network in the Lower 6 GHz band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2026
Scope and Impact
This regulation, issued by the Ministry of Communications under G.S.R. 47(E), exempts the establishment, maintenance, possession, and dealing of specific wireless equipment in the 5925–6425 MHz frequency band from licensing requirements. It applies to Low Power Indoor (LPI) and Very Low Power (VLP) outdoor wireless access systems, including Radio Local Area Networks (RLAN). The regulation facilitates the deployment of wideband digital modulation technologies for high-data-rate mobile and fixed communications on a non-interference, non-protection, and shared (non-exclusive) basis.
Permitted Radio Bands and Technical Parameters
The regulation authorises the use of the 5925 – 6425 MHz frequency range with the following technical specifications:
Low Power Indoor (LPI) Devices:
Maximum Power Spectral Density (EIRP): 11 dBm/MHz
Maximum EIRP for in-band emissions: 30 dBm
Maximum Emission Bandwidth: 320 MHz
Very Low Power (VLP) Outdoor Devices:
Maximum Power Spectral Density (EIRP): 1 dBm/MHz
Maximum EIRP for in-band emissions: 14 dBm
Maximum Emission Bandwidth: 320 MHz
Out-of-Band Emission Limits:
Emissions outside the 5925 – 6425 MHz band must not exceed an EIRP of -27 dBm/MHz.
Specific suppression requirements apply at the channel edges (e.g., 20 dB suppression at 1 MHz outside the channel edge).
Operational Restrictions and Exemptions
The use of these devices is subject to the following prohibitions and requirements:
Prohibited Locations: Operation is strictly prohibited on oil platforms.
Mobile Restrictions: Indoor use is prohibited in land vehicles (cars, trains), boats, and aircraft, except when the aircraft is flying above 10,000 feet.
Drones: Communication with and control of drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is prohibited.
Protocol Requirements: All devices must employ a "contention-based protocol" to allow multiple users to share the spectrum simultaneously.
Antenna Requirements: Wireless equipment must feature an in-built and integrated antenna.
Conformity Assessment and Testing
Devices must undergo Type Approval to ensure compliance with the technical parameters defined in the regulation. The following procedures and standards apply:
Type Approval: Manufacturers must apply for equipment type approval using the format specified in the Schedule of the regulation, providing detailed transmitter and receiver specifications.
Technical Standards: Equipment must be designed and manufactured so that emission bandwidth and other parameters conform to the prescribed limits.
Safety Standards: Devices must comply with international or national safety standards, including those from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), or the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
Measurement Procedures: Emission measurements should be performed using a minimum resolution bandwidth (RBW) of 1 MHz.
Interference Management
Exempted devices operate on a non-interference basis. If an exempted device causes harmful interference to a licensed system (authorised under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885), the Central Government may require the user to relocate the equipment, reduce power, or cease operation entirely.
Regulatory Context
These rules are established in exercise of powers conferred by the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. They provide a specific exemption framework for the 6 GHz band to encourage the adoption of modern wireless technologies without the need for individual frequency assignments.
