New Delhi, May 26 (IANS): The Department of Telecommunications has introduced a series of user-friendly reforms under the PM-WANI framework aimed at expanding affordable and accessible public Wi-Fi across the country, the government announced on Tuesday. The key measures include QR-based authentication for secondary devices such as laptops, flexible short-duration Wi-Fi plans of 15, 30 and 60 minutes, and standardisation of PM-WANI hotspot names to improve identification and reliability. Under the updated framework, users will be able to connect laptops and other devices by scanning a QR code via an authenticated smartphone app, significantly reducing login friction. The sachet-style short-duration plans are aimed at commuters, students and users requiring brief internet access at public locations such as transit hubs and malls, while the unified PM-WANI branding system for hotspot naming will help users easily identify authentic networks and reduce confusion. All stakeholders have been directed to implement the revised guidelines within eight weeks, with full rollout expected by July 2026.
The reforms are part of the government’s broader efforts to translate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of accessible and affordable digital connectivity for every citizen into reality. Under Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the PM-WANI ecosystem is undergoing a comprehensive transformation focused on improving accessibility, interoperability, ease of use and citizen adoption. Minister of State for Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said PM-WANI is being positioned as a platform for universal public Wi-Fi access, adding that QR-based login now allows users to connect their laptops simply by scanning a code on their phone. The PM-WANI ecosystem, which operates through a distributed network of Public Data Offices, PDO aggregators and app providers, is expected to witness wider adoption with the rollout of these new reforms.