The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India releases consultation paper on “Proliferation of Public Wi-Fi Networks in India"

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today 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, TSPs/ISPs, and private entities for developing viable public Wi-Fi models across rural areas, urban centers, and high-footfall locations.
• Examination of issues relating to authorization, 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, www.trai.gov.in. Written comments on the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by 25th May 2026 and counter-comments, if any, by 8th June 2026.

The comments may be sent in electronic form at advbbpa@trai.gov.in with a copy to jtadvbbpa-1@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Dr. Abdul Kayum, Advisor (Broadband and Policy Analysis), TRAI, may be contacted at Telephone Number Tel. No. +91-11 20907757.