PM-WANI scheme: TRAI finalises tariffs to boost retail broadband connectivity for wi-fi service providers

TRAI set new broadband pricing rules for public Wi-Fi providers (PDOs) under the PM-WANI scheme, capping tariffs at twice the retail FTTH rates. This move aims to boost affordable public Wi-Fi and support digital inclusion across India

New Delhi: In a bid to boost the PM-WANI scheme, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday issued a pricing framework for retail broadband connectivity for wi-fi service providers or ‘Public Data Offices’ (PDOs) to address challenges impeding the growth of public wi-fi hotspots.

The telecom authority has finalised the Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, on the tariff for retail broadband connectivity for PDOs.

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“Every service provider providing retail Fiber to the Home (FTTH) broadband services shall offer all of its retail FTTH broadband plans up to 200 Mbps to the PDOs under the PM-WANI scheme, at tariff not exceeding twice the tariff applicable to the retail subscribers for the corresponding FTTH broadband plan of the bandwidth (capacity) offered,” the order read.

The pricing framework has been designed to appropriately balance the interests of all stakeholders by ensuring affordability for small-scale PDOs, while also providing reasonable compensation for the broadband connection to the service providers.

“The proposed tariff framework takes into account the prevailing market scenario, current levels of adoption of PM-WANI services, as well as potential future growth. By aligning with these considerations, the framework aims to facilitate the orderly, sustainable, and inclusive growth of the public Wi-Fi ecosystem under the PM-WANI initiative,” said the TRAI.

On September 16, 2024, the Department of Communication (DoT) introduced amendments to the PM-WANI framework, removing the requirement for PDOs to enter commercial agreements with TSPs for internet connectivity

In light of DoT’s amendment, stakeholders’ comments and counter-comments received on draft TTO (70th amendment) and further internal analysis, the Authority issued revised draft Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order on January 15, 2025.

It proposed that the broadband tariff (FTTH) for PDOs under the PM-WANI scheme should not exceed twice the tariff applicable for retail broadband (FTTH) services of corresponding capacity offered by service providers, said the telecom authority.