TRAI caps broadband tariffs for PM-WANI public Wi-Fi providers
On 16 June 2025 in New Delhi, TRAI released the Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, capping retail broadband tariffs for PM-WANI Public Data Offices at twice the consumer price.
Summary
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025 on 16 June 2025. It mandates that all retail FTTH broadband plans up to 200 Mbps be offered to Public Data Offices (PDOs) under PM-WANI at tariffs not exceeding twice the corresponding consumer broadband price. The Department of Telecommunications said backhaul costs for public Wi-Fi hotspots could become up to 10 times cheaper. The order responds to a DoT reference noting that high internet costs and expensive leased lines were discouraging small shopkeepers from becoming PDOs. TRAI also announced a pilot, with RBI and select banks, for digital management of customer consent for commercial communications.
Key facts
- Order
- Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, 16 June 2025
- Rule
- FTTH plans up to 200 Mbps to PDOs at no more than twice the consumer price
- Expected effect
- Public Wi-Fi backhaul up to 10 times more economical (DoT)
- Also
- TRAI–RBI–banks pilot on digital consent management
- TRAI (static)
- Established w.e.f. 20 February 1997 under the TRAI Act, 1997 (trai.gov.in)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under TRAI's Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025, retail FTTH broadband plans up to 200 Mbps must be offered to PM-WANI Public Data Offices at tariffs not exceeding:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Twice the corresponding consumer broadband price
PIB (DoT): The order mandates FTTH plans up to 200 Mbps be offered to PDOs at tariffs not exceeding twice the corresponding consumer broadband price.
TRAI's tariff order of 16 June 2025 on broadband for Public Data Offices relates to which scheme?
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Correct answer: D — PM-WANI
PIB (DoT): The order concerns broadband connectivity to Public Data Offices (PDOs) under the PM-WANI scheme.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India was established with effect from which date?
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Correct answer: B — 20 February 1997
TRAI (trai.gov.in): TRAI was established with effect from 20 February 1997 (20th February 1997) by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.