The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on May 22, 2026, issued circular regarding the Wi-Fi Network Interface (WANI) and Framework and Guidelines for Registration.
The Department of Telecommunications has issued amendments to the existing “Wi-Fi Network Interface (WANI) Framework and Guidelines for Registration,” originally released on January 6, 2021 and later modified on September 16, 2024.
These amendments further update the guidelines governing the PM-WANI framework, with the revised provisions forming part of the consolidated regulatory document published on the Department’s official portal.
The amendments are as stated:
In the Guidelines, in Annexure-A, after item m., the following item is inserted: —
"n. For QR based authentication on secondary devices, a typical usage flow is described below:
(i) The user connects its secondary device (e.g., laptop) to the Wi-Fi Access Point.
(ii) The Captive Portal displays a QR code containing the Access Point's MAC ID and the connecting device's MAC ID.
(iii) The user opens the WANI App on its primary authenticated device (smartphone) and scans the QR code displayed.
(iv) The App parses the QR code, fetches the Access Point information from the cached data of the Central Registry and prompts the user for explicit additional approval to authorise the connection. Biometric or fingerprint authentication may also be utilised for this for enhanced security.
(v) On approval, the App constructs the waniapptoken (embedding the Access Point's MAC ID and secondary device's MAC ID) and executes the standard backend WANI token flow with the PDOA and App Provider back-end.
(vi) The WANI App displays a success message. Simultaneously, PDOA authenticates the token and authorises the secondary device for internet access, dropping the Captive Portal wall. The secondary device captive portal shows a message that the device has internet access with the user details used for the authentication process."
All PM-WANI Stakeholders are hereby directed to give effect to the amended guidelines and ensure their implementation within eight weeks of issuance of this Circular.
[Circular no. 1/PM-WAN1/2026]
