Sony started selling the PlayStation 5 Pro in several countries yesterday. However, a regulatory hurdle has cast a shadow over its release in India and several other countries.
The PS5 Pro utilizes the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard (IEEE 802.11be) for lightning-fast download speeds and seamless online gaming experiences.
This new standard operates in the 6GHz wireless band, which offers wider channels and less interference compared to previous bands. However, India, along with certain other regions, has yet to approve the use of this 6GHz band.
This regulatory roadblock means the PS5 Pro cannot be officially launched in India until the government gives the green light to Wi-Fi 7. For Indian gamers eagerly awaiting the console, this delay is a source of significant disappointment.
In an official statement, Sony India said:
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.
We have seen smartphones that have Wi-Fi 7 support launching in India, but only Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 6 work on them, so it is not clear why the Sony can’t do this and enable Wi-Fi 7 later when it’s approved.
Sony has not yet announced if we can expect the PS5 Pro in India in the future, and it remains to be seen how long it will take for the necessary regulatory approvals to be granted.