[Hardware] TRAI proposes tariff changes for PM-WANI Wi-Fi

[-J3SUS-]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently unveiled a draft Telecommunication Tariff (70th Amendment) Order, 2024, aimed at enhancing public Wi-Fi accessibility through the PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme. The initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen India’s digital communication infrastructure. The National Digital Communications Policy 2018 had set an ambitious target of deploying 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022. This goal was further reinforced by the Bharat 6G Vision, which aspires to expand this network to 50 million hotspots by 2030. However, the current number of PM-WANI hotspots still needs to catch up to these targets, highlighting the need for regulatory intervention to stimulate growth in this sector.

A major barrier to the expansion of the PM-WANI scheme is the high cost of backhaul internet connectivity imposed by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) on Public Data Offices (PDOs). The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has noted that these costs hinder public Wi-Fi access, as TSPs often require PDOs to use expensive Internet Leased Lines (ILL) instead of more affordable Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections. This practice raises operational costs for PDOs and limits the growth of public Wi-Fi infrastructure.

To address these challenges, TRAI proposes aligning tariffs for PM-WANI services with those for retail broadband (FTTH) connections. This change aims to reduce financial burdens on PDOs and encourage their participation in the scheme, thereby facilitating the establishment of a wider network of public Wi-Fi hotspots.

 

https://dig.watch/updates/trai-proposes-tariff-changes-for-pm-wani-wi-fi