Trai Public Wifi Model
Trai proposes to cut broadband charges for public wifi service providers
Telecom regulator Trai on Friday proposed to bring down broadband connection charges for public data offices, which provide public wifi services, at par with retail users, as the number of public wifi spots in the country is far below the target number envisaged by the government. In the explanatory note of draft Telecommunication Tariff (Seventh Amendment) Order, 2024, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) found that the annual tariff of a 100 mbps of internet leased line tariff are 40-80 times more than 100 mbps of fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband connection for retail users. Trai said it is of the view that public data offices (PDOs), specifically the small-scale units like local shops, retailers, generally have low revenue potential and they neither need an ILL connection nor they can afford high backhaul rates which are applicable for large commercial entities. "The authority proposes that for the purpose of providing PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme
 "Trai proposes to cut broadband charges for public wifi service providers")
India misses its 10-million target of public Wi-Fi coverage by end of 2022
The count is just 0.5 million, whereas the target set by the government was 10 million by the end of 2022; India is also likely to miss its 50 million public wifi hotspots target by 2030
 "India misses its 10-million target of public Wi-Fi coverage by end of 2022")
Tech and telecom equipment companies seek 6 GHz band delicensing
Broadband India Forum has pushed for the key mid band to be kept open for Wi-Fi services
 "Tech and telecom equipment companies seek 6 GHz band delicensing")
Telcos oppose Trai, claim public WiFi model-a threat to national security
Based on existing rules for cyber cafes, Trai had recommended that a new set of players to be called Pubic Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) should be allowed to resell internet services
 "Telcos oppose Trai, claim public WiFi model-a threat to national security")
