by Punjab has taken a bold step toward digital inclusion by massively expanding its free public Wi‑Fi initiative. The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) has now rolled out service to 710 hotspots across 22 districts, doubling coverage from the previous 11 districts and elevating Lahore’s public Wi‑Fi points from 230 to 430. The Punjab government has significantly expanded its free public Wi‑Fi service under the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA), doubling its reach across the province—from 11 to 22 districts and increasing Lahore coverage from 230 to 430 access points . The newly included districts now cover areas such as Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Hasan Abdal, Sahiwal, Okara, and Murree.
Since inception, over 37.22 million users have utilized the service, consuming a total of 905 TB of data—a striking increase from earlier figures of about 17.7 million users and 438 TB in March 2025 . The infrastructure has been upgraded to Wi‑Fi 6 technology, promising faster speeds, lower latency, and improved stability—especially useful in high‑density areas.
This initiative is part of the Punjab government’s broader aim to transform the province into a digital hub. It aligns with smart‑city goals and digital inclusion priorities, aimed at bridging the urban–rural connectivity gap and providing public internet access for essential tasks—not video streaming or entertainment.
With its expanded footprint and upgraded technology, the free Wi‑Fi project is now benefitting millions, supporting digital access in both urban centers and semi‑urban districts across Punjab.
🎯 Key Points
- Coverage extended from 11 to 22 districts: includes major cities like Lahore, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Attock, Hasan Abdal, Sahiwal, Okara and Murree .
- Public Wi‑Fi hotspots total 710, offering internet access in key public areas like parks, bus stops, educational institutions, and civic centers.
- Lahore’s access points doubled from 230 to 430, dramatically improving public connectivity in the capital city.
- Total reach so far: over 37.22 million users have consumed more than 905 TB of data via the network.
- The network infrastructure has been upgraded to Wi‑Fi 6 technology, delivering faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable performance, particularly in dense public zones.
- The service is intended for emergency and essential uses like emailing, educational access, and civic tools—not video streaming or heavy entertainment—to preserve bandwidth for critical functions. Punjab Govt Expands Free Wi-Fi Access Across 22 Cities
🌐 Closing the Digital Gap
Punjab’s move addresses a pressing need: equitable access to digital tools. The expansion enables students, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens—especially in smaller cities—to connect, learn, and engage without financial barriers. This is especially crucial where mobile data may be limited or expensive.
🚀 User Experience Gets a Boost
With the transition to Wi‑Fi 6, users now enjoy quicker page loads, smoother browsing, and more dependable connections even in busy public spots. The modernized network can serve many more simultaneous users efficiently.
📚 Enhanced Access to Education & Civic Tools
Free Wi‑Fi provides critical support for students accessing educational content, citizens applying for services, and users accessing safety tools like the Women Safety App. This aligns seamlessly with Punjab’s broader push toward digital governance and smart cities.
Numbers That Tell the Story
| Metric | Before Expansion | After Expansion |
|---|---|---|
| Districts Covered | 11 | 22 |
| Hotspots in Lahore | ~230 | 430 |
| Total Hotspots (Province-wide) | ~300 | 710 |
| Users (cumulative) | ~17.7 million | ~37.22 million |
| Data Usage | ~438 TB | ~905 TB |
Looking Forward: Opportunities & Considerations
What’s Next?
- Plans are underway to expand connectivity further, which may soon cover additional cities and rural hubs across the province.
- Continued technology upgrades and integration with digital literacy programs could elevate the impact of the initiative.
A Few Caveats 📌
- The free Wi‑Fi is meant for essential services only. Entertainment and streaming are deliberately restricted to preserve capacity for critical usage.
- Users should exercise caution when connecting to public networks. As seen in some discussions, public Wi‑Fi can be vulnerable unless secured with measures like VPNs and HTTPS access. https://royalworld.cloud/punjab-to-go-cashless-unified-digital-fare-system-approved/
In Summary
Punjab’s expansion of its free Wi‑Fi initiative marks a significant milestone in its transformation into a digitally empowered province. By extending coverage across 22 districts, upgrading to Wi‑Fi 6, and enabling millions more users to connect—Punjab is laying a strong foundation for broader access to education, civic services, and economic opportunity. While users are advised to stay mindful of security, the initiative as a whole represents meaningful progress in bridging the digital.
