Regulators
Trai requests telecom service providers to review consumer complaints
Mumbai : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recently held a meeting with major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to review the issues related to the quality of telecom services being faced by consumers and the menace of unsolicited commercial communications (UCC).
The authority has directed TSPs to take immediate action to demonstrate visible improvements in service quality and consumer experience. TSPs were instructed to investigate the issue of call muting and one-way speech and to take corrective action as soon as possible. TSPs should ensure that there is minimal disruption or degradation of QoS of existing telecom services while rolling out 5G networks.
TSPs were also informed that Trai is closely monitoring long-duration network outages. Such outages have a negative impact on service quality and the consumer experience. All telecom providers were asked to notify Trai of any such outages in any district or state. If necessary, Trai may consider enacting appropriate regulations.
Trai also requested that TSPs plan and implement systems for online data collection for QoS benchmarks, as well as their processing to generate performance reports at the License Service Area, State, or lower granularity levels. This will simplify the process of QoS performance reporting by TSPs, reducing the compliance burden.
Given the scale and size of the network being built for the rollout of 5G services, as well as the important use cases being developed by various industry verticals, Trai requested that TSPs implement systems for internal QoS monitoring by TSPs on a 24×7 and 360-degree basis. It was also suggested that network features be used in accordance with standards, and that Al/ ML techniques be used for QoS monitoring and management.
Trai has also asked TSPs to implement two directives issued by Trai on 16 February, 2023, in a timely manner. These two directives were issued to combat some telemarketers’ misuse of principal entity (PE) headers and message templates, as well as messages from unauthorised or unregistered telemarketers, including telemarketers using telephone numbers.
Reduce unwanted calls from registered telemarketers or 10-digit phone numbers and place them on the DLT platform for management and monitoring.
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.
