New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released the Draft Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, which proposes the rationalisation of broadband tariffs for Public Data Offices (PDOs) under the PM-WANI scheme.
The move is aimed at improving the affordability and availability of public Wi-Fi access points across the country.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India, had earlier communicated to TRAI that the rollout of the PM-WANI scheme was significantly lagging behind its targets.
One of the primary reasons identified for the slow progress was the high cost of backhaul internet connectivity, which is often charged by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
According to the DoT, TSPs and ISPs had also required PDOs to establish connections for public Wi-Fi access points using expensive internet leased lines under commercial agreements.
In response, TRAI had previously released the Draft Telecommunication Tariff (70th Amendment) Order, 2024, on 23 August 2024, proposing that broadband services for PDOs under the PM-WANI scheme be priced in line with retail broadband (FTTH) tariffs. Comments and counter-comments were invited from stakeholders regarding this proposal.
Subsequently, on 16 September 2024, the DoT made amendments to the PM-WANI framework, removing the requirement for PDOs to enter into commercial agreements with TSPs for internet connectivity. The revision also allowed PDOs to connect up to 100 access points for the establishment of a single Wi-Fi hotspot.
In light of these amendments, as well as stakeholder feedback and further internal analysis, TRAI has now proposed a revised tariff structure under the Draft Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order.
The new proposal suggests that the broadband tariff for PDOs under the PM-WANI scheme should not exceed twice the retail broadband (FTTH) tariff of corresponding capacity offered by service providers.
The revised tariff structure aims to make it more affordable for PDOs to connect to the internet, thereby fostering the growth of PM-WANI hotspots across the country.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018, and the Bharat 6G Vision, both of which target the deployment of 50 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2030.
The draft amendment has been made available on TRAI’s website. Stakeholders are invited to submit their written comments by 31 January 2025 and counter-comments by 7 February 2025.
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