The Indian government is in the final stages of establishing a national technical framework for Wi-Fi offloading, a move set to redefine mobile connectivity by allowing smartphones to automatically switch data traffic to nearby Wi-Fi networks. This initiative, spearheaded by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to ensure seamless internet access while alleviating pressure on cellular networks.
Building a National Framework for Seamless Switching
Currently, telecom operators in India practice Wi-Fi offloading in a fragmented manner without a unified standard. A government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the new draft standard seeks to create a common, nationally accepted technical framework. This framework will define how mobile networks and Wi-Fi, including public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, can work together seamlessly.
The core promise for users is an uninterrupted experience. Your smartphone will intelligently redirect data traffic to available Wi-Fi networks without dropping calls, disrupting SMS services, or closing applications. This is particularly crucial for services like Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi), which the draft rules mandate must work flawlessly, including for emergency calls and standard text messages over the internet.
Benefits for Networks and Users Alike
The advantages of formalized Wi-Fi offloading are multi-fold. For congested mobile networks, especially in indoor and high-traffic areas, it provides a critical pressure release valve. This leads to improved data speeds and more efficient use of limited mobile spectrum. For telecom operators, it presents significant cost-saving opportunities, particularly in rural and remote areas where delivering mobile data can be expensive.
Satya N. Gupta, former principal adviser at TRAI, highlighted a key shift: "The exciting part is that for the first time, the government also wants normal SMS to happen over the internet-based network, shifting away from old 2G technology." The rules also emphasize interoperability and open roaming, allowing users to move smoothly across different networks and locations.
Revitalizing PM-WANI and the 6GHz Band Factor
A significant aspect of the new framework is its integration with the PM-WANI public Wi-Fi scheme. With over 400,000 hotspots currently operational but short of its ambitious deployment targets, this inclusion could be a game-changer. Analysts believe it can transform PM-WANI from scattered access points into a structured layer of national digital infrastructure.
The government is also preparing to license a portion of the 6GHz band, which will vastly increase the capacity and bandwidth available for Wi-Fi services. This move is seen as essential for supporting large-scale offloading. However, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has previously noted that India remains a mobile-first nation, with over 95% of internet users on mobile broadband.
Vinish Bawa, Partner and Telecom Leader at PwC India, views this as a strategic long-term capacity plan. "As data demand continues to outpace spectrum availability, Wi-Fi offloading becomes a long-term capacity strategy, not just a cost lever," he said. The potential savings are substantial; managed service provider Nanovise estimates operators could save ₹9.50 per gigabyte, leading to potential annual savings of ₹1,425 crore in 10,000 villages alone.
By positioning Wi-Fi offloading as a foundational network layer aligned with security and public infrastructure goals, India is taking a decisive step towards future-proofing its connectivity ecosystem.
