TRAI’s New Rule: Now just imagine, you are sipping tea at a village corner and enjoying high-speed Wi-Fi – that too at a very low price. Earlier it seemed like a dream, but now it is going to become a reality. There has been a big turn in the internet story of the country, and behind this is the latest decision of TRAI i.e. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, which can bring digital revolution in the entire country.

Fast and cheap internet in every village

Till now it was seen that the enjoyment of high speed and cheap rates of internet was limited only to cities. In villages, towns and remote areas, people were either dependent on expensive mobile data or could use very limited internet. But now this situation is going to change. TRAI has taken such a step that small shopkeepers, such as tea sellers, grocery sellers or people running paan shops will also be able to provide Wi-Fi facility to their customers by taking internet at a low price.

TRAI’s masterstroke 

TRAI has decided that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will provide connection to small shopkeepers who want to provide Wi-Fi facility as Public Data Office (PDO) at the same rate which is given to a common broadband user. That is, now companies will not be able to charge arbitrary price for installing Wi-Fi at a shop.

This rule will apply to those shops where the Wi-Fi speed will be up to 200 Mbps. Now this speed is enough for any common user – whether it is watching YouTube, playing reels or studying online. And when this cheap internet reaches the villages, then the dream of real Digital India will be fulfilled.

Why was this decision taken?

TRAI clearly stated that providing internet to rural areas and economically weaker sections of the country is still a big challenge. Under the government’s PM-WANI (Pradhan Mantri Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme, efforts are being made to create public Wi-Fi networks in villages through small shopkeepers, but as long as these shopkeepers themselves get internet at expensive rates, how will they be able to provide cheap service in future?

Therefore, TRAI decided that ISPs will also have to fix rates within certain limits. This decision is a big step towards digital equality. Now the youth of the village will also be able to study online, women will be digitally active and small businessmen will also be able to bring their business online.

Companies’ displeasure and TRAI’s response

Before implementing this decision, TRAI took opinion from all the parties related to the industry. Some internet companies opposed it. They said that they should get the right to decide the rate of their product themselves. But TRAI clearly said that this decision has been taken with the aim of providing cheap internet to the public, not to hurt the profits of the companies.

It was also made clear that companies will no longer be able to charge fees beyond a certain limit. This has opened the way for shopkeepers who were not able to install Wi-Fi till now just because of the high cost.

Towards a true digital India

This decision of TRAI will not only take the reach of the Internet to every corner, but will also give digital power to small businessmen. Now every shop can become a digital zone – where customers will come not only to buy goods but also to connect to Wi-Fi. This change will not only benefit internet users, but will also give small shopkeepers a new source of income.

So now the day is not far when at every corner of the village, at every tea shop, people will not only be seen gossiping, but also enjoying high-speed internet. Cheap internet, internet for everyone – this is the real digital revolution!