Indian gaming enthusiasts hoping to get their hands on the PlayStation 5 Pro will have to wait longer as Sony confirmed on Friday that the console’s launch in India has hit a regulatory roadblock. The upgraded console, which supports Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) and requires access to the 6GHz spectrum band, is currently unavailable in the country due to spectrum allocation issues.
The Spectrum Hurdle: Why PS5 Pro Isn’t Here Yet
Sony’s official statement sheds light on the absence of the PS5 Pro in India, noting, “PS5 Pro will not be available in some countries (which presently includes India) where 6GHz wireless band used in IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) has not yet been allowed.”
The 6GHz band, vital for the PS5 Pro’s advanced Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, remains a point of contention between technology firms and telecom operators in India. While tech companies are advocating for the allocation of this band to improve Wi-Fi services, telecom providers are vying for it to expand 5G and 6G networks. According to recent reports, the Indian government is likely leaning toward reserving a portion of the 6GHz spectrum for telecom expansions, leaving the fate of high-tech devices like the PS5 Pro in limbo.
The 6GHz Band: A Global Divide
India isn’t alone in facing this debate, but several countries have already dedicated the entire 6GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi, paving the way for devices like the PS5 Pro to function seamlessly. Meanwhile, Dynamic Spectrum Alliance has been pressing the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) to allocate the full 6GHz band for unlicensed Wi-Fi use, aiming to bridge this technological gap in India.
A Next-Gen Console with Nowhere to Go in India
The PS5 Pro, which launched in select global markets on November 7, offers a suite of hardware upgrades, including RDNA graphics, 16.7 teraflops of GPU performance, double the storage capacity of the standard PS5, advanced ray-tracing, and AI upscaling technology. Priced at an MSRP of $699.99 (roughly Rs. 58,750), the console has been eagerly awaited by fans worldwide.
In regions like the US, UK, EU, and Japan, gamers are already diving into the enhanced performance of the PS5 Pro. But in India, this technological marvel is just out of reach, a victim of regulatory deadlock that shows no sign of a swift resolution.
For now, Indian fans can only hope that a breakthrough in spectrum allocation will bring the PS5 Pro to their shores soon. Until then, the excitement of advanced gaming on Sony’s latest console remains on hold, leaving a generation of gamers waiting for their moment.
