Tech firms face setback as Wi-Fi spectrum allocation plan shelved

In a move that could significantly impact tech giants such as Meta, Google, and others, the department of telecommunications (DoT) has decided not to pursue the delicensing of new spectrum for Wi-Fi use, officials said.

The decision is seen as a potential obstacle to improving Wi-Fi quality, particularly for high-bandwidth applications. It could also delay the adoption of next-generation devices requiring enhanced spectrum, while stifling the development of the nascent Wi-Fi 6E equipment industry.