Lok Sabha Question No. 162 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Non-functional Wi-Fi Hotspots in Rural Areas
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

## NON-FUNCTIONAL WI-FI HOTSPOTS IN RURAL AREAS

## *162.   SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any evaluation of the implementation of the rural Wi-Fi hotspot initiative given that a large number of installed hotspots remain non-functional;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  current  operational  status  and  the  reasons  identified  for  the  low activation rate of these hotspots;
- (c) whether the Government has engaged with telecom service providers and local bodies to assess the challenges related to maintenance, connectivity and adoption of these Wi-Fi services;
- (d) if so, the details of the assessment and any corrective measures being planned; and
- (e) the details of the policy interventions and financial support mechanisms being introduced to ensure  the  success  of  the  programme  and  improve  digital  connectivity  in  rural  and  underserved regions?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.162 FOR 11 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026 REGARDING 'NON-FUNCTIONAL WI-FI HOTSPOTS IN RURAL AREAS.'

(a) & (b) With a view to proliferate wi-fi hotspots across the country, including in rural areas, Government  has  launched  the  Prime  Minister  Wi-Fi  Access  Network  Interface  (PM-WANI) initiative.  As  on  31.1.2026,  52,733  wi-fi  hotspots  were  installed  in  rural  areas  under  the  said initiative, of which 94 hotspots were non-active.

(c) & (d) Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) is  currently active Wi-Fi hotspot initiative of the department, in which, the Government's role is primarily, one of policy enablement and providing a frame work. Further, as on 31.12.2025, a total of 609 Workshops/Seminars, 318 Press Briefs, and 183 Advertisements have been undertaken by the field offices of the department for proliferation of PM - WANI Scheme.

(e) Under Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme, to address the issues relating to proliferation of Public Wi-Fi Access Points, a series of interventions in the existing PM-WANI  Framework  and  Guidelines  for  Registrations  has  been  issued  by  Department  of Telecommunication on 16.09.2024. These policy interventions include:

-  Allowing Public Data Offices (PDOs) to offer PM WANI through a regular FTTH connection which will reduce their cost.
-  Allowing PDOs to aggregate their multiple Access point to a single backhaul towards the ISP.
-  Allowing  existing  home  or  business  Wi-Fi  Access  Points  to  join  the  larger  PM-WANI network, thereby utilizing their existing Access point as a source of revenue.
-  Allowing roaming between Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) enabling end users to switch between PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots of different PDOAs smoothly.
-  Allowing  Public  Data  Offices  (PDOs)  to  offer  Mobile  data  offload  by  teaming  up  with existing Telecom Servicer Providers.
-  Allowing  Public  Data  Office  Aggregators  (PDOAs)  and  App  providers  to  send  content, promotions,  and  branding  messages  to  potential  PM-WANI  Wi-Fi  users,  after  due  user consent.

Further, on  16.06.2025, Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  released  a Telecommunication  Tariff  (71st  Amendment)  Order,  2025  related  to  tariff  for  retail  broadband connectivity for Public Data Offices (PDOs).  This order mandates that all retail FTTH broadband plans  up  to  200 Mbps must  be  offered  to Public  Data  Offices  (PDOs) at  tariffs  not  more  than twice the corresponding consumer broadband price.

There is no provision of financial support mechanism to any State or Union Territory under PM-WANI scheme.

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