India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has unveiled new user-friendly measures under the PM-WANI framework to enhance digital public infrastructure and internet accessibility. These reforms include QR-based authentication for laptops, short-duration Wi-Fi plans, and standardized hotspot names for easier identification. Stakeholders have been instructed to implement these changes within eight weeks to make the features operational by July 2026.
The government aims to provide accessible and affordable digital connectivity to all citizens, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. Minister of State for Communications, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, emphasized the importance of PM-WANI in offering universal public Wi-Fi access and enhancing user experience. Public Wi-Fi is increasingly vital for students, travelers, professionals, and small businesses nationwide.
To streamline PM-WANI access, the DoT now allows QR-based authentication for secondary devices like laptops, simplifying the connection process. Additionally, operators are advised to offer short-duration plans to cater to users needing brief internet access, particularly at public locations like transit hubs and malls. Standardizing SSID nomenclature with PM-WANI branding aims to help users identify genuine networks.
Launched under the Digital India initiative, PM-WANI aims to provide affordable internet access through a distributed ecosystem. These reforms seek to promote the widespread adoption of public Wi-Fi infrastructure across the country.
