From 5G to Wi-Fi 7: How NFAP-2025 reshapes India’s spectrum policy

The National Frequency Allocation Plan-2025 (NFAP-2025) provides a broad regulatory framework that identifies frequency bands available for various radio services.

It addresses spectrum allocation for cellular mobile services, Wi-Fi, sound and television broadcasting, radionavigation for aircraft and ships, defence and security communications, disaster relief and emergency communications, satellite communications and satellite broadcasting, amateur services, and more.

NFAP-2025 provides allocation of radio frequency spectrum to various radio frequency services in the range 8.3 KHz to 3000 GHz. It serves as an essential reference for spectrum managers, wireless operators and telecom equipment manufacturers.

In order that all radiocommunications services (41 in total) have effective access to frequencies, the spectrum is divided into frequency bands and each band is allocated to one or more radiocommunications services.

Where a frequency band is allocated to more than one radiocommunication service, each service using the band is categorised either as primary or a secondary service. A station in a secondary service can’t cause harmful interference to stations in primary service and can’t claim protection from harmful interference from stations from primary services.

Frequency Allocation is the first step towards ensuring efficient, rational and interference free use of radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbits. IMT-2020 or 5G services with enhanced capabilities will continue to expand in coming years across various industry verticals.

A new frequency band has been identified in the NFAP-2025 for use by IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications). NFAP took cognizance of the requirements for Programme Making & Special Events and the importance of harmonized V2X (Vehicle- to- Everything) technology.

The spectrum for Trunking services and PPDR (Public Protection and Disaster Relief) is harmonized, enhancing national emergency response infrastructure.

The spectrum requirements for satellite based services have been taken care of. High throughput satellites and broadband proliferation are encouraged in NFAP 2025. High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and High Altitude Platform Stations as IMT Base stations (HIBS) provide connectivity to the remotest areas and have promising use cases.

Short- Range Devices (SRDs) and devices using Ultra- Wideband (UWB) technology, which use radio frequency spectrum, are assuming importance in medical implants, ground probing radars for use by security and utility agencies.

M2M (Machine to Machine) communications and IOT(Internet of Things) largely depend upon SRDs and UWB devices. These devices use license-exempt spectrum. NFAP-2025 maintains a list of frequencies exempted from licensing at Annexure-1.

NFAP-2025 introduced several strategic and future ready revisions to meet the growing spectrum demand for next- generation technologies. 6425-7125 MHZ (700 MHz) band has been identified for IMT, significantly enhancing mid- band spectrum availability for 5G, 5G Advanced and future 6G networks.

Private TSPs (Telecom Service Providers) have been lobbying for the allocation of the entire 1200 MHz spectrum (5925-7125 MHz) in the 6 GHz band as each operator will need at least 400 MHz of such spectrum to deliver affordable, high-quality 5G and future 6G services, as per them.

As per studies conducted in 36 cities all over the world, 5G services need 2 GHz band width of mid band spectrum for expansion. Mid band spectrum is ideal for 5G as coverage and capacity are optimum in this band.

Ka (27.5 -31 GHz and 17.7-21.2 GHz), Q (40.0-42.5 GHz, 47.7-50.2 GHz) and V (50.4-51.4 GHz) bands are allocated for next- generation satellite based services, crucial for high-throughput GSO (Geo Stationary Orbit) and large non-GSO satellite constellations.

Additional spectrum is allocated for In-Flight and Maritime Connectivity (IFMC) in the bands of 12.2-12.5 GHz, 17.7-8.7 GHz and 27.5 -28.5 GHz to ensure seamless broadband access in the air and at sea. Support is given for emerging technologies such as V2X communication, LEO (Low Earth Orbit)/MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) satellite services and expanded broadband connectivity solutions.

These enhancements will ensure that India’s spectrum management remains responsive, high capacity and harmonized with global standards, supporting both current and future digital innovations,which help in enhancing development of the eco-system in India.

The Union government has formally opened up license-free use of the 5925-6425 MHz (500 MHz) band for low-power Wireless Access Systems operating indoors. 70-80% of current data usage happens indoors.This decision provides long awaited regulatory clarity for Wi-Fi 6E and future Wi-Fi 7 deployments.

With this initiative, households and small businesses are set to benefit with higher speeds, low latency and better performance for data intensive applications such as video streaming, video calls, gaming, enterprise connectivity and smart manufacturing, without needing telecom licences and approvals.

The framework allows wireless devices operating in this frequency band to be deployed without a license or spectrum assignment subject to compliance with specified technical conditions.These networks have to operate on a shared, non-exclusive, non-interference and non-protection basis.

The notification spells out detailed definitions and operating parameters, including caps on EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power), spectral density, emission bandwidth and out-of-band emissions. Indoor use has been defined as operation within the premises enclosed by walls and roofs that are non-transparent to radio waves, except for doors and windows.

These devices are required to use contention-based protocols to manage simultaneous access to shared spectrum. Licence-free access to this band will support India’s digital ambitions by enabling mobile data offload, reducing reliance on dense small-cell deployments and freeing up licensed spectrum for other uses.

This move will impact several high-growth sectors, such as AI, gaming and immersive technologies like AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality). Wi-Fi providers already have 700 MHz spectrum for use in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.

The Wayforward

NFAP 2025 came into effect from 30.12.2025. It is aligned with the ITUs (International Telecommunication Union) latest Regulations to ensure efficient, harmonized and future ready use of spectrum resources ensuring compatibility in global digital communication.

Equipment manufacturers, TSPs and spectrum managers are expected to benefit from NFAP-2025. It strikes a balance between the demands of cellular operators and Wi-Fi operators.

As per the Minister of Communications, NFAP-2025 strikes a perfect balance of the current spectrum demands with future technological advancements, facilitating optimal spectrum utilisation.

(The writer is former advisor, Department of Telecommuncations, Government of India)