The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on the “Proliferation of Public Wi-Fi Networks in India”. This consultation paper reviews the existing regulatory framework, identifies challenges affecting the proliferation of public Wi-Fi networks, and invites comments from stakeholders on measures to accelerate the growth of public Wi-Fi infrastructure across the country. The consultation paper covers the following key areas:
- Overview of the public Wi-Fi ecosystem in other countries and key takeaways from international experiences and global best practices.
- Assessment of the current status of public Wi-Fi in India, including deployment trends and demand patterns.
- Identification of key issues and challenges affecting public Wi-Fi proliferation in the country.
- Examining the roles of key stakeholders such as central and state governments, local bodies, telecom service providers (TSPs)/ internet service providers (ISPs), and private entities for developing viable public Wi-Fi models across rural areas, urban centres, and high-footfall locations.
- Examination of issues relating to authorisation, authentication, roaming, and billing systems within the Indian public Wi-Fi ecosystem.
- Analysis of potential direct and indirect revenue models suitable for ensuring the sustainability of public Wi-Fi in the Indian context.
The consultation paper has been placed on TRAI’s website. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by May 25, 2026, and counter-comments, if any, by June 8, 2026.
