Free Wi-Fi exists at India's airports and railway stations, but it is built around identity checks: you log in with a one-time password (OTP) sent to a mobile number. If your home number does not receive the SMS, the major airports offer a passport-based alternative. Public Wi-Fi around town, however, is not something to plan a trip around. Mobile data, on the other hand, is fast: India's median mobile download speed is above 128 Mbps, faster than its fixed broadband. This guide uses the airports' own instructions, Indian government releases and the national cyber-security agency's advice to show what you can rely on and what to arrange before you fly.
If you want to be online from the moment you land, you can set up an India eSIM before you leave. See the Coral eSIM plans for India and pick the data allowance that fits your trip.
Wi-Fi in India: free Wi-Fi assumes a verified phone number
In India, public Wi-Fi usually requires the user to be identified. Airports, stations and the government's public Wi-Fi network are all based on logging in with an OTP sent by SMS to your mobile number. Mumbai Airport's official page describes passport verification as "a mandatory requirement from DoT", the Department of Telecommunications.
The government's public Wi-Fi network, PM-WANI, had around 409,000 hotspots in operation at the end of February 2026, according to the Press Information Bureau (April 2026). Using it requires registering in a dedicated app, and we could not confirm from official sources whether a foreign number can be used.
Railway station Wi-Fi (RailWire) covered 6,071 stations as of December 2021, with the first 30 minutes each day free. It also requires an SMS OTP, and the government states that a "working mobile connection for KYC" is needed.
- Hotel and cafe Wi-Fi: usually just a password from the venue, and easy to use
- Airport Wi-Fi: usable with a passport even if the OTP does not arrive (see the next section)
- Station and street hotspots: need phone verification or app registration, and are awkward for visitors
Airport Wi-Fi in India when your home number gets no OTP
India's two main gateways explain their free Wi-Fi on their official websites.
Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport)
The network is "GMR FREE WIFI". The OTP is sent to an Indian mobile number. If you do not have one, scan your passport at a Wi-Fi kiosk or show it at the Information Desk to receive a coupon code for logging in.
Mumbai (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport)
The network is "#MumbaiAirportWiFi". The OTP can be sent by SMS to a local or international number, or by email. Without a number, you can show your passport at a kiosk or desk.
Both options work after arrival, but finding a kiosk or desk takes time, and counters can be busy for late-night arrivals. If you need a ride-hailing app or to reach your hotel without delay, have your own connection working the moment you switch off flight mode.
Mobile internet speed in India: faster than fixed broadband
India's mobile networks are among the faster ones worldwide. Ookla's Speedtest Global Index for August 2026 puts India's median mobile speed at 128.20 Mbps down, 10.10 Mbps up, with 26 ms latency, ranking 32nd in the world. That is above the median for fixed broadband (63.94 Mbps down), so a phone connection is often quicker than hotel Wi-Fi.
Speed does vary a great deal by operator and place. In a March 2026 drive test in a regional city, the regulator TRAI recorded average downloads of 260.01 Mbps for Jio and 161.18 Mbps for Airtel, but 27.83 Mbps for Vi and 8.32 Mbps for BSNL. When choosing a travel eSIM, check that it connects to Jio or Airtel.
Buying a local SIM card in India as a visitor
Foreign nationals can get an Indian mobile connection, but identity verification (KYC) is mandatory. A Department of Telecommunications circular states that the digital KYC process also applies to foreign customers, with the additional safeguards for foreigners still in place. Airtel says connections for foreign nationals and tourists are valid until the visa expires.
In 2023 India also introduced mandatory registration of SIM sellers and ended bulk connections to curb fraud. Because the process happens in a store, even buying at the airport can involve document checks and a wait before activation.
A travel eSIM set up before departure avoids all of this and lets you use data as soon as you land. Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked (see how to check your phone is unlocked). The steps are in how to set up an eSIM for travel.
Connectivity rules to know before travelling to India
Satellite phones need prior permission
The Embassy of India in Tokyo states that bringing in or using a satellite phone (such as Thuraya or Iridium) without prior permission from the Department of Telecommunications is prohibited. Such devices must be declared to Customs; unauthorised sets are seized and the holder may be prosecuted. If you plan to use satellite devices for trekking or expeditions, check the rules well in advance.
Internet shutdowns can happen in some regions
Regional internet shutdowns are sometimes ordered in India, for example for public-order reasons. The tracker run by the Indian non-profit SFLC.in has recorded 930 shutdowns, including reports from Bihar and parts of New Delhi in July 2026. A shutdown can affect both Wi-Fi and mobile data, so keep your accommodation address, booking numbers and emergency contacts available offline. For maps, see how to use maps offline.
Using free Wi-Fi in India safely: CERT-In's advice
CERT-In, India's national cyber-security agency, advises users to avoid public Wi-Fi for financial transactions and to always use a secured internet connection. For travellers, the simplest rule is not to use online banking, card payments or account logins on airport or cafe Wi-Fi. Switch to your own mobile data first. For more, see our guide to free Wi-Fi security.
Internet in India: frequently asked questions
Can I use free airport Wi-Fi in India with a foreign phone number?
Mumbai Airport sends OTPs by SMS to international numbers and also by email. Delhi Airport sends OTPs to Indian numbers; without one, use your passport at a Wi-Fi kiosk or the Information Desk to get a coupon code. Both take some effort, so it is more reliable to use your own connection straight after landing.
Is there free public Wi-Fi in Indian cities?
The government's PM-WANI network has around 409,000 hotspots, but you need to register in an app. Station Wi-Fi also requires an SMS OTP. Because both depend on phone-number verification, they are not a good main connection for a trip.
How fast is mobile internet in India?
Ookla's August 2026 index gives a median mobile download speed of 128.20 Mbps, faster than the fixed-broadband median of 63.94 Mbps. Operators differ widely: in TRAI's tests Jio and Airtel were fast, while Vi and BSNL were far slower.
Is it hard to buy a local SIM in India?
Foreigners can get one, but in-store identity verification is required and the connection lasts only until your visa expires. Checks and activation can take time, so if you want data on arrival, setting up a travel eSIM at home is more dependable.
Can I bring a satellite phone to India?
Bringing in or using a satellite phone without prior permission from the Department of Telecommunications is prohibited. According to the Embassy of India, unauthorised devices are seized and the holder may be prosecuted. If you need one, obtain permission before you travel.
In India, do not rely on Wi-Fi: secure mobile data with an eSIM before you land
India's public Wi-Fi is designed around phone-number verification and is not easy for visitors to use. Airports offer a passport route, but it takes effort, so the dependable choice is to have your own connection from the moment you arrive. Mobile data in India is fast, and on Jio or Airtel networks maps, ride-hailing and photo sharing work smoothly. Set up a travel eSIM before departure, and know about the satellite phone ban and possible regional shutdowns. That is the most reliable way to prepare for staying connected in India.
See the Coral eSIM plans for India, or browse all destinations.
