TRAI releases consultation paper on expansion of public Wi-Fi networks
New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the “Proliferation of Public Wi-Fi Networks in India,” aimed at strengthening the country’s public internet infrastructure.
The paper reviews the current regulatory framework and highlights key challenges hindering the expansion of public Wi-Fi services. It also invites feedback from stakeholders on ways to accelerate deployment and enhance accessibility.
According to TRAI, the document draws on global best practices by analysing public Wi-Fi ecosystems in other countries and identifying lessons applicable to India.
It further evaluates the present status of public Wi-Fi in India, including rollout trends and usage demand, while pinpointing bottlenecks slowing its growth.
The paper also outlines the roles of various stakeholders—such as Central and State governments, local bodies, telecom service providers (TSPs), internet service providers (ISPs), and private players—in building sustainable Wi-Fi networks across urban and rural areas, as well as high-footfall locations.
Operational aspects including authorisation, user authentication, roaming, and billing systems have also been examined in detail.
Additionally, TRAI has explored both direct and indirect revenue models to ensure the long-term sustainability of public Wi-Fi services.
The consultation paper is available on TRAI’s official website, with stakeholders invited to submit comments by May 25, 2026, and counter-comments by June 8, 2026.
(DD News)
