Regulators
India eyes digital leap with major public Wi-Fi expansion plan
TRAI seeks to bridge the digital divide by boosting high-speed hotspots nationwide
NEW DELHI: India is gearing up for a significant digital makeover as the nation’s telecoms watchdog unveils an ambitious roadmap to blanket the country in high-speed Public Wi-Fi. In a comprehensive consultation paper released on 27th April 2026, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has signalled that it is time to turn the “missing link” of connectivity into a robust bridge for the digital economy.
The initiative aims to solve a persistent puzzle: while India boasts some of the world’s lowest mobile data tariffs, network congestion in crowded cities and patchy coverage in rural heartlands continue to hamper the “Digital India” dream. By shifting heavy data traffic from mobile networks to high-capacity Public Wi-Fi, officials hope to offer a smoother, more reliable experience for everything from remote work to telemedicine.
The proposal suggests that high-quality broadband is the essential engine behind secure, real-time digital interactions between the Government and its citizens. By treating Public Wi-Fi as a vital utility, much like water or electricity, the nation aims to support the next generation of technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.
The paper highlights that despite the 2020 launch of the PM-WANI framework, which allowed small shopkeepers to become “Public Data Offices” (PDOs), the country has yet to hit its target of 10 million hotspots. To fix this, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is looking at international success stories. From South Korea’s government-led model to the market-driven approach of the United Kingdom, India is searching for the perfect blend of public support and private enterprise.
One of the key hurdles identified is the trust deficit. Many users perceive Public Wi-Fi as a security risk, but the report argues that with modern encryption like WPA3 and secure login methods, these networks can be just as safe as private ones. The new plan explores advanced authentication methods to make connecting as simple as a single tap while ensuring robust data protection.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is also urging local municipal bodies to play a bigger part by allowing Wi-Fi equipment on street furniture like lamp posts and bus stops. With the digital economy projected to contribute nearly 20 per cent of India’s Gross Value Added by 2030, the push for ubiquitous Wi-Fi is seen as a vital investment in the nation’s future.
As the consultation period opens, the message from New Delhi is clear: the future of India’s internet is not just mobile, it is shared, scalable, and most importantly, everywhere. Stakeholders have until 25th May 2026 to share their views on how to turn these wireless ambitions into a nationwide reality.
Regulators
NCF fee sparks consumer backlash over TV pricing and access
84.7 percent oppose NCF on free channels, 57 percent report higher bills.
MUMBAI: For many viewers, the real drama on television may be the bill, not the show. A report by the Esya Centre has found that the Network Capacity Fee (NCF) is widely perceived as an unfair charge, shaping how consumers engage with television services in India. While television itself continues to score well with audiences around 70 percent of respondents reported satisfaction with content quality, the dissatisfaction lies squarely with pricing. As many as 84.7 percent of respondents said they were unhappy paying the NCF for free-to-air channels, highlighting a disconnect between cost and perceived value.
Introduced at Rs 130 for access to a base set of channels, the NCF was later deregulated, allowing distributors to set it independently under the framework of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The study argues that such fixed charges, especially when increased without corresponding service improvements, tend to reduce consumer welfare rather than enhance efficiency.
The numbers underline the frustration. Around 68 percent of respondents said they do not understand how the NCF is calculated, while 94 percent consider it unfair. More than half 57 percent reported higher monthly expenses under the current pricing system, and a striking 96 percent said they would be more satisfied if the existing framework were removed.
Rather than being seen as a value-linked service fee, the NCF is widely viewed as a mandatory “access toll”, a cost consumers must bear simply to enter the television ecosystem. The report notes that viewers do not associate the fee with better service quality or greater choice, reinforcing the perception that it adds cost without adding value.
This has broader implications for market participation. Fixed charges like the NCF, the study suggests, influence whether consumers subscribe at all. When such costs rise, users are more likely to opt out rather than adjust their viewing habits, potentially shrinking the market.
In effect, the current pricing design appears to redistribute value within the system rather than improve it for consumers. The findings point to a growing sentiment that the NCF is less about enabling access and more about shaping it, often at the viewer’s expense.
