In submissions to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consultation on public Wi-Fi networks, major telecom operators including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL), Reliance Jio Infocomm, and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) argued that affordable mobile broadband has diminished the need for public Wi-Fi in India. The consultation paper was discussed this week, with operators highlighting India’s mobile-first internet usage.
COAI stated that the demand for public Wi-Fi networks has substantially decreased due to the widespread availability of cheap mobile data. Airtel described India as an overwhelmingly mobile-first market, while Vodafone said public Wi-Fi should be evaluated based on scale, timing, relevance, and use cases specific to India. Jio noted that although public Wi-Fi retains some value, solutions lie beyond regulatory interventions, emphasizing consumer demand as the main challenge.
The telecom operators’ submissions reflect a consensus that public Wi-Fi has lost relevance in India’s connectivity landscape. This contrasts with other countries where public Wi-Fi remains a major access layer. The operators highlighted that mobile broadband has emerged as the primary internet access method for most Indian users, reducing the need for dedicated public Wi-Fi infrastructure. The debate comes amid TRAI’s efforts to explore ways to proliferate public Wi-Fi networks across the country.
The consultation process included detailed submissions from COAI, Airtel, VIL, and Jio, all available on Medianama’s website. TRAI’s consultation paper and these industry responses provide a comprehensive view of the current market dynamics shaping India’s public Wi-Fi policies.