**Executive Summary**
The PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) Scheme has expanded to over 4 lakh operational hotspots as of February 28, 2026, to accelerate national broadband proliferation. The Union Minister of Communications reported that recent policy interventions and a June 2025 TRAI mandate have been implemented to reduce costs and enhance revenue for local entrepreneurs. These measures aim to improve the commercial viability and user experience of public Wi-Fi services, particularly in rural and remote areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Current Infrastructure and Adoption (as of February 28, 2026)**
* Total of 4,09,403 Public Data Offices (PDOs) or hotspots are operational across India.
* Registration includes 207 Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) and 113 App Providers.
* Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh are the leading states in hotspot deployment.
* Approximately 2.44 crore users have accessed the services, consuming 58.64 petabytes of data.
* **Cost Reduction and Technical Provisions**
* PDOs are permitted to provide services using Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections.
* Multiple access points can be aggregated into a single backhaul toward the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
* A TRAI order (dated June 16, 2025) mandates that ISPs provide FTTH plans up to 200 Mbps to PDOs at a tariff not exceeding twice the consumer rate.
* **Revenue and Service Enhancements**
* PDOs can now offer mobile data offloading services to telecom service providers.
* PDOAs and App Providers are authorized to deliver promotional and branded content to users (subject to consent).
* The framework supports a decentralized, market-driven model for local entrepreneurs.
* **User Experience Improvements**
* Existing home and business Wi-Fi networks can be integrated into the PM-WANI ecosystem.
* Inter-PDOA roaming has been enabled, allowing users to stay connected seamlessly across different hotspots.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Entrepreneurs (Public Data Offices - PDOs)**
**Impact:** Benefiting from reduced operational costs through capped FTTH tariffs and the ability to use existing home/business networks. New revenue streams are available via data offloading.
**Action Required:** Set up and operate hotspots based on techno-commercial viability; utilize FTTH and aggregation to optimize backhaul costs.
**Internet Service Providers (ISPs)**
**Impact:** Legally required to offer specific retail FTTH broadband plans to PDOs at regulated price points (maximum twice the consumer tariff).
**Action Required:** Comply with the TRAI tariff order issued on June 16, 2025, for plans up to 200 Mbps.
**PDO Aggregators (PDOAs) and App Providers**
**Impact:** Gained the ability to monetize through branded content and improved service quality via inter-aggregator roaming.
**Action Required:** Coordinate roaming agreements among themselves and obtain user consent before delivering promotional content.
**General Public / Internet Users**
**Impact:** Increased access to affordable broadband, easier connectivity through integrated networks, and seamless roaming between different providers.
**Action Required:** Connect to PM-WANI hotspots for public Wi-Fi services; provide consent if they wish to receive branded/promotional content.
Key Entities Referenced
Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) Scheme: A government initiative aimed at accelerating broadband proliferation through a decentralized network of public Wi-Fi hotspots across India.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The regulator that issued a tariff order mandating affordable retail FTTH broadband plans for Public Data Offices to improve ecosystem viability.
Public Data Offices (PDOs): The primary operational entities under PM-WANI authorized to set up Wi-Fi hotspots and provide internet services using various backhaul technologies.
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia: The Union Minister of Communications who officially informed Parliament about the scheme's progress and new policy interventions.
Ministry of Communications: The primary government ministry responsible for the policy enablement and promotion of the public Wi-Fi expansion framework.
Ministry of Communications
PM-WANI Scheme Accelerates Public Wi-Fi
Expansion across India with Over 4 Lakh
Hotspots
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 6:21PM by PIB Delhi
Hon’ble Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the Government is
promoting the expansion of public Wi-Fi access across the country through the Prime Minister Wi-Fi
Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) Scheme, aimed at accelerating the proliferation of broadband
services through public Wi-Fi networks across the country.
As on February 28, 2026, a total of 4,09,403 Public Data Offices (PDOs) / public Wi-Fi hotspots are
operational under the PM-WANI framework across States and Union Territories. In addition, 207 Public
Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) and 113 App Providers are registered under the scheme. State/UT-wise
details of PDOs, PDOAs and App Providers are maintained under the scheme, with States such as Delhi,
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh emerging as leading contributors in the deployment of Wi-Fi
hotspots.
The Union Minister further informed that the total number of internet users who have accessed PM-WANI
hotspots till February 28, 2026 is 2,44,67,896, reflecting the growing adoption of public Wi-Fi services
across the country. He also stated that approximately 58.64 petabytes of data have been consumed through
PM-WANI hotspots since the launch of the scheme.
The PM-WANI framework is based on a decentralised and market-driven model, encouraging local
entrepreneurs to set up and operate Wi-Fi hotspots based on techno-commercial viability. The
Government’s role is primarily that of policy enablement.
To further accelerate the growth of PM-WANI hotspots, particularly in rural and remote areas, the
Government has introduced several key policy interventions:
Cost Reduction Measures: Public Data Offices (PDOs) have been permitted to provide services using
Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections and to aggregate multiple access points to a single backhaul
towards the Internet Service Provider.
Revenue Enhancement Opportunities: PDOs have been allowed to offer mobile data offloading services
to telecom service providers. PDOAs and App Providers have also been permitted to deliver promotional
and branded content to users with their consent.
Improved User Experience: Existing home and business Wi-Fi networks can now be integrated into the
PM-WANI ecosystem. Additionally, PDOAs have been enabled to provide roaming among themselves,
allowing users to seamlessly connect across different PM-WANI hotspots.Additionally, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, through a tariff order issued on 16.06.2025, has
mandated that Internet Service Providers offer retail FTTH broadband plans up to 200 Mbps to PDOs at
tariffs not exceeding twice the corresponding consumer broadband tariff, thereby improving
affordability and viability of the PM-WANI ecosystem.
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