Introduction
The transition towards connected mobility received an impetus as on 10 June 2026 when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) released the Use of On-Board Unit for Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything Communication in the 5.9 GHz band (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Rules 2026 (Rules).
The Rules mark an important step towards enabling vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication by exempting licensing requirements for specified vehicle communication equipment operating in the 5875–5905 MHz frequency band. V2X technology enables real-time communication between vehicles, road infrastructure and other road users, supporting applications such as collision warnings, emergency braking alerts, traffic management and other intelligent transport systems. The regulatory move aligns with global efforts to accelerate connected vehicle adoption and improve road safety outcomes.