DoT launches QR login and short-duration plans under PM-WANI reforms
Synopsis
India's public Wi-Fi push just got a practical upgrade. The DoT has notified QR-based laptop login, sachet plans as short as 15 minutes, and standardised hotspot names under PM-WANI — directly targeting the friction and confusion that kept the framework underutilised since its 2020 launch. Operators have eight weeks to comply.
Key Takeaways
DoT notified PM-WANI reforms on 26 May 2025 , with full rollout mandated by July 2026 .
QR-based login allows users to connect laptops and secondary devices by scanning a code via an authenticated smartphone app.
Hotspot operators have been advised to offer short-duration plans of 15, 30, and 60 minutes for commuters and students.
PM-WANI hotspot SSIDs will be standardised under unified branding to help users identify authentic networks.
All stakeholders — including PDOs , aggregators, and app providers — must implement the revised guidelines within eight weeks .
The ecosystem operates through a decentralised network of Public Data Offices (PDOs) that do not require individual telecom licences.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has rolled out a fresh set of reforms under the PM-WANI (Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) framework, introducing QR-based authentication for secondary devices, sachet-style Wi-Fi plans of 15, 30, and 60 minutes, and standardised hotspot naming — all aimed at deepening affordable public Wi-Fi access across India. The changes were notified on Tuesday, 26 May 2025, with all stakeholders directed to implement the revised guidelines within eight weeks, putting full rollout on track by July 2026.
Key Reforms Under the Updated Framework
The most visible change is QR-based login for laptops and other secondary devices. Under the new system, users can connect a laptop to a PM-WANI hotspot simply by scanning a QR code through an authenticated smartphone app, eliminating the login friction that has long deterred adoption at public locations.
Alongside this, the DoT has advised hotspot operators to introduce short-duration data plans of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes — a 'sachet' model designed for commuters, students, and anyone needing brief internet access at transit hubs, malls, or other public venues.
Standardised Hotspot Branding
A third reform addresses network identification: PM-WANI hotspot names (SSIDs) will now follow a unified PM-WANI branding standard, making it easier for users to distinguish authentic public networks from unverified ones. The move is expected to reduce confusion and improve trust in the ecosystem.
What the Government Said
Minister of State for Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said PM-WANI is being positioned as a platform for universal public Wi-Fi access. 'QR-based login now lets you connect your laptop simply by scanning a code on your phone. We have also advised hotspot operators to offer short-duration plans of 15, 30 and 60 minutes,' he said.
The Ministry of Communications attributed the broader transformation to the leadership of Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, describing the reforms as part of a comprehensive push to improve accessibility, interoperability, and citizen adoption within the PM-WANI ecosystem.
How PM-WANI Works
The PM-WANI ecosystem operates through a distributed network of Public Data Offices (PDOs), PDO aggregators, and app providers — a decentralised architecture designed to enable low-cost Wi-Fi deployment without requiring individual telecom licences. The framework was first launched in 2020 to democratise internet access, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.
This comes amid a broader government push to raise India's public Wi-Fi density, which still lags behind targets set under the National Broadband Mission. Notably, earlier phases of PM-WANI struggled with slow PDO onboarding and inconsistent user experience — challenges the new reforms directly attempt to address.
What Happens Next
All stakeholders — including PDOs, aggregators, and app providers — have been directed to comply with the revised guidelines within eight weeks. The DoT is expected to monitor rollout progress ahead of the July 2026 deadline. Wider adoption of the updated framework could significantly expand India's public Wi-Fi footprint at a time when demand for affordable connectivity continues to rise.
Point of View
And past DoT rollout timelines have slipped. If the July 2026 deadline holds and adoption metrics are made public, this could mark a genuine inflection for India's public Wi-Fi story. If not, it risks becoming another well-intentioned notification that operators quietly ignore.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the new PM-WANI reforms announced by DoT?
The DoT has introduced three key changes under PM-WANI: QR-based authentication for laptops and secondary devices, short-duration Wi-Fi plans of 15, 30, and 60 minutes, and standardised hotspot naming (SSIDs) under a unified PM-WANI brand. All reforms were notified on 26 May 2025.
How does the new QR-based login work for PM-WANI?
Users can connect a laptop or secondary device to a PM-WANI hotspot by scanning a QR code through an authenticated smartphone app, removing the need for manual credential entry. This is designed to reduce login friction at public hotspots.
When will the PM-WANI reforms be fully implemented?
All stakeholders, including Public Data Offices and aggregators, have been directed to comply with the revised guidelines within eight weeks of the 26 May 2025 notification, with full rollout expected by July 2026.
Who benefits from the new short-duration Wi-Fi plans?
The 15, 30, and 60-minute sachet plans are primarily aimed at commuters, students, and users who need brief internet access at public locations such as railway stations, bus terminals, and shopping malls.
What is PM-WANI and how does it work?
PM-WANI (Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) is a government framework launched in 2020 to enable affordable public Wi-Fi through a decentralised network of Public Data Offices (PDOs), aggregators, and app providers — without requiring individual telecom licences. It is overseen by the Department of Telecommunications.
