Public Wi-Fi usage in India dropped dramatically by 42.5% year-on-year in the April–June 2026 quarter, according to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The total number of users fell from 5.21 million to 3 million, accompanied by a 43.2% decline in data consumption.
- Public Wi-Fi users fell 42.5% in the past year to 3 million
- Data consumption on public Wi-Fi declined 43.2% to 7,541 TB
- Number of hotspots slightly decreased by 1.8% from March to June 2026
What happened
The number of people using public Wi-Fi in India decreased significantly to 3 million in Q2 2026, down from 5.21 million during the same period last year. This represents a 42.5% drop in users, as reported by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Alongside the user decline, the volume of data consumed over public Wi-Fi also fell sharply by 43.2%, from 13,281 terabytes to 7,541 terabytes.
The decline in usage continued from the previous quarter, with a 5.5% decrease in users and a 12.1% drop in data consumption when comparing Q1 2026 and Q2 2026. The number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in India stood at 55,230 at the end of June 2026, marking a slight 1.8% reduction compared to March 2026, but remaining roughly stable over the last year. The total access points also decreased by 3.9% year-over-year.
Why it matters
The downward trend in public Wi-Fi usage highlights challenges facing India’s public internet infrastructure and its ability to retain users amidst changing connectivity preferences. The significant fall in hotspot numbers observed in 2024 was linked to the exit of CSC Wi-Fi Choupal Services India, a key ISP, which impacted available public access points nationwide.
Despite a large decline in user numbers and data usage, the relatively stable count of hotspots suggests that infrastructure remains in place, but user engagement is waning. This may indicate a shift toward private or mobile internet access alternatives, which could reshape public Wi-Fi’s role in bridging digital access gaps in India.
What to watch next
Monitoring future TRAI reports will be essential to understand whether this decline in public Wi-Fi users and data consumption continues or stabilizes. Observers should also look at regional dynamics, as states like Gujarat and Maharashtra lead in hotspot availability, potentially reflecting localized variations in public Wi-Fi adoption.
Changes in regulatory policies, new service provider entries or exits, and evolving consumer internet habits—including the growing penetration of affordable mobile data—are key factors that could influence whether public Wi-Fi experiences a revival or further diminishes in India’s digital landscape.