India's Wi-Fi segment is projected to grow into a ₹1.89 lakh crore (US$ 22 billion) industry by the year 2035, according to Union Minister of Communications Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia. Speaking at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organized by the Broadband India Forum on June 25, 2025, the minister underlined the strategic role that Wi-Fi technology will play in transforming India’s digital landscape over the next decade.

The announcement has positioned India Wi-Fi growth 2035 not just as an economic forecast but as a broader call to mobilize digital inclusion across urban and rural India. Mr. Scindia’s speech encapsulated a bold vision for connectivity, where Wi-Fi is treated not as a commodity but as a critical enabler of national development, digital empowerment, and citizen access to public services.

Wi-Fi: The Digital Growth Engine

In his keynote, Mr. Scindia projected the Wi-Fi segment in India to be worth ₹1,83,000 crore (US$ 21.2 billion) by 2035, a figure later revised to ₹1,89,332 crore (US$ 22 billion), indicating accelerated policy support and rapid digital adoption trends. He said Wi-Fi will act as a transformative force, particularly in rural and under-connected parts of the country, fueling India's progress toward a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

With India contributing 46% of global digital transactions, the minister pointed to data affordability as a key enabler. Indians pay around ₹9 (US$ 0.10) per gigabyte, compared to a global average of ₹214.29 (US$ 2.49). This dramatic cost advantage has supported widespread internet penetration, leading to a digitally active population across economic strata.

PM-WANI and Deregulated Spectrum: The Pillars of Progress

A cornerstone of India’s Wi-Fi revolution, as highlighted by Mr. Scindia, is the PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative aims to establish public Wi-Fi hotspots across the country, particularly in underserved rural areas, to bridge the digital divide and create access to online education, telemedicine, e-commerce, and public services.

The minister stressed that PM-WANI is not merely a connectivity program but a nation-building initiative, especially impactful in smaller towns and villages. Thousands of Public Data Offices (PDOs) have already been set up, and with the new spectrum reforms, many more are expected.

The de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum band is set to unlock faster, more reliable, and low-cost Wi-Fi services, further democratizing access. The government is expected to announce detailed policy guidelines for the 6 GHz band before Independence Day 2025, giving a major policy push to India digital infrastructure news.

A Paradigm Shift in Connectivity Thinking

Mr. Scindia emphasized that connectivity should be viewed as a right, not a privilege. Drawing a parallel to access to capital and infrastructure in earlier economic eras, he said connectivity is the fundamental driver of today’s economy. Without internet access, opportunities in education, health, finance, and commerce remain out of reach for large sections of the population.

By redefining Wi-Fi as a developmental priority, the government is attempting to level the playing field, enabling rural communities, micro-entrepreneurs, students, and farmers to participate in the digital economy on equal terms.

Industry’s Role in Keeping Hardware Affordable

While spectrum and policy support are crucial, Mr. Scindia also directed attention to a potential barrier—hardware affordability. He urged industry stakeholders, including manufacturers and service providers, to ensure that routers, modems, access points, and user devices remain cost-effective. The risk, he noted, lies in solving the connectivity puzzle on the spectrum front, only to see the emergence of hardware-based exclusion.

In line with this, the government will encourage innovation in low-cost, high-efficiency networking equipment, and will also look into incentivizing domestic manufacturing of Wi-Fi hardware, supporting the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat missions.

India’s Global Standing in Digital Transactions

India’s dominance in global digital transaction volume was another highlight of Mr. Scindia’s speech. Accounting for nearly half of the world’s total digital payments, India’s UPI ecosystem, fintech startups, and digital service delivery platforms have set global benchmarks. This progress, the minister asserted, would not have been possible without affordable, reliable internet access—a feat that Wi-Fi continues to enhance.

This statistic reinforces that India connectivity revolution is already underway, with public Wi-Fi playing an increasingly central role.

Wi-Fi as an Enabler of Public Service Delivery

The minister concluded with a powerful message: “Connectivity is not a commodity; it is an act of nation-building.” This statement underscores the idea that Wi-Fi is not just about faster speeds and more data, but about empowering individuals, improving governance, and strengthening democracy.

Wi-Fi will increasingly support e-Governance, rural tele-health, agri-tech access, real-time education content, and emergency service response. The future of public service delivery—especially in remote areas—relies heavily on a strong, affordable Wi-Fi backbone.

The Road Ahead: Wi-Fi as a Foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047

Looking toward India@100 in 2047, Mr. Scindia envisions Wi-Fi as the backbone of Viksit Bharat, a fully developed and self-reliant India. The vision includes:

• Rural Wi-Fi connectivity to all Panchayats and villages

• Universal broadband access via shared infrastructure

• Wi-Fi-enabled public libraries, healthcare centers, and schools

• Digital upskilling through free community Wi-Fi hotspots

The Indian Wi-Fi market 2035 is expected to integrate 5G and future tech like AI, IoT, and edge computing, transforming not only personal usage but also smart cities, e-commerce logistics, and automation ecosystems.

Conclusion: A National Digital Mission in Motion

The Wi-Fi policy India 2025, spearheaded by initiatives like PM-WANI and enabled by spectrum liberalization, is well on track to make affordable internet a reality for every Indian citizen. With policy support, industry collaboration, and innovation, India is laying the groundwork for a hyper-connected, inclusive, and digitally resilient future.

By 2035, as the India Wi-Fi segment touches ₹1.89 lakh crore, the nation will not only have reaped economic dividends but also empowered millions through access, awareness, and opportunity. In the words of the minister, Wi-Fi will be remembered not just as a utility—but as the digital pulse of a new India.

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