Google launched its next-generation Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL smartphones at an event in New York on October 15. These are the best of Google phones for this year, and Google's answer to Apple iPhone 11 series. These are also, in a way, official Android smartphones. Yet, the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL will not be launched in India, not now or not anytime soon, unless the Indian government somehow considers them an exception and allows their sale in India. The primary reason why the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL are not launching in India is the unique Soli radar inside these phones. The radar uses 60GHz mmWave frequency which is currently not allowed for un-licenced civilian use in India.

In the US, where the 60GHz frequency is unlicensed, similar to 2.4GHz and 5GHz that are used for Wi-Fi connectivity, the Pixel 4 phones will be available. But in India, despite TRAI recommendation in 2014, 60GHz frequency remains locked and currently, its use is permitted only for military or government projects. Soli chip in the Google Pixel uses 60GHz frequency to offer a radar feature that can detect users as well as recognise their gestures. This, for example, can allow users to skip a song or pause music playback on their phone with just a wave of their hands.

The use of 60GHz frequency means Soli is very precise. In one of the documentation pages, Soli Project team states: "Currently there is no other product on the market with comparable precision and detection range. The use of 60 GHz allows for a resolution of 20 mm. With additional algorithms, the solution operates with sub-mm resolution."

However, the presence of Soli radar also means that the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL cannot be launched in India. While Google has not given a specific reason as to why it is not launching the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL in India, the use of 60Ghz frequency in these phones means they cannot be sold here unless there is an explicit permission from government, which Google has not received.

This is not the first time a Google product has run into the laws and norms set by the Indian government, to its detriment. Almost 10 years ago Google had started mapping Indian roads for the Street View feature in Maps. But the mapping was stopped within days after government officials raised objections. Since then the company has not been able to get a go-ahead for Street View that is available in almost all developed countries.

"Google has a wide range of products that we make available in different regions around the world. We determine availability based on a variety of factors, including local trends, and product features. We decided not to make Pixel 4 available in India. We remain committed to our current Pixel phones and look forward to bringing future Pixel devices to India," a Google spokesperson told India Today Tech in a statement.

India Today Tech learnt that Google internally discussed bringing the Pixel 4 to India without its Soli features but that would have been possible only if the company had created a different variant of the phone that completely lacks the 60GHz hardware. This would have meant re-engineering of the entire phone. Disabling the Soli chip through software wouldn't have worked because the presence of the hardware itself was enough to disqualify the phone from the Indian market.

Pixel 4 specs and features

The Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL are high-end Android phones. Since the launch of the first-generation Pixel, Google has focussed on the camera performance of the phones. In Pixel 4, the company for the first time has put two rear cameras -- a 12MP main camera and a 16-megapixel camera with a zoom lens. Both phones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, come with up to 128GB internal storage and 6GB RAM. The Pixel 4 has a 5.7-inch screen while the Pixel 4 XL uses a 6.3-inch screen.

While Google will not sell the Pixel 4 and the Pixel 4 XL in the Indian market, if someone buys them from outside, the Soli feature will work here as intended. Google is also, keeping in line with its global product decision, discontinuing the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL in India. The Pixel 3A and the Pixel 3A XL will continue to sell here and are likely to be the Google phones in India until the possible launch of the Pixel 4A next year.

The tug-of-war on 60GHz

As far as the use of 60GHz frequency in India is concerned, the curious case of the Pixel 4 might be the first but it is not likely to be the last. Increasingly, 60GHz frequency, because it is unlicensed and available for civilian use in the US as well as many European countries, is making an appearance in smart gadgets and networking products. In future, we may see many gadgets that use 60GHz not coming to India.

There have been proposals -- as well as a recommendation from TRAI in 2014 -- to unlock 60Ghz frequency for civilian use as unlicensed frequency similar to 2.4GHz and 5GHz that are used by Wi-Fi.

But at the same time, there are organisations and stakeholders that want the government to keep it locked. Last year Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents companies like Jio, Airtel and Vodafone, wrote to PMO saying that 60GHz frequency should not be de-licenced. There is an argument that 60GHz frequency can be used by companies to create local high-speed wireless networks, which can then hit the revenue of telecom companies. Instead of de-licencing 60GHz frequency, the letter argued that the government should consider assigning of "E and V band airwaves, typically in the 80 GHz and 60 GHz bands, to licensed telecom access service providers (like Airtel and Jio)."