PM-WANI: In News
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a series of user-friendly reforms under the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework.
- PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in 2020.
- It aims to enhance the proliferation of public WiFi hotspots to create robust digital communications infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas.
- Objectives:
- To overcome the digital divide by increasing internet connectivity, especially in remote and rural regions.
- To empower individuals and businesses to participate in the digital economy through affordable internet access.
- To encourage local entrepreneurs by enabling shopkeepers and individuals to become Public Data Office (PDO) operators.
- PM-WANI Ecosystem Components:
- Public Data Office (PDO): It will establish, maintain, and operate only WANI-compliant Wi-Fi access points and deliver broadband services to subscribers. No license is required from DoT.
- The local shops and small establishments as PDOs may earn extra income from selling internet without any requirement of license, registration, and/or any fees to DoT.
- Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It will be an aggregator of PDOs and perform the functions relating to authorization and accounting.
- App Provider: It will develop an App to register users and discover WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in the nearby area and display the same within the App for accessing the internet services.
- Central Registry: It will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs.
- It is currently maintained by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).
