Trai Proposes Reduced Broadband Rates for Public WiFi Providers

Telecom regulator Trai has proposed reducing broadband connection charges for Public Data Offices (PDOs) to match retail user rates. This move aims to increase the number of public WiFi spots in India, which currently falls short of governmental targets. The proposal will be reviewed after a two-year period.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed reducing broadband connection charges for Public Data Offices (PDOs) to the same level as retail users. This initiative aims to boost the number of public WiFi spots in India, which significantly lags behind government targets.

According to the draft Telecommunication Tariff (Seventh Amendment) Order, 2024, current annual tariff rates for a 100 Mbps internet leased line are 40-80 times higher than those for a 100 Mbps fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband connection for retail users. Trai believes that small-scale PDOs, such as local shops and retailers, have low revenue potential and do not require high-cost connections meant for larger commercial entities.

Trai's proposal, which will be reviewed two years post-implementation, suggests that PDOs be charged the same rates as retail broadband FTTH connections under the PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme. This proposal aligns with the goals of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018, which aims to deploy 10 million public WiFi hotspots by December 2025.

(With inputs from agencies.)