Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) Scheme : Report
Public wifi hotspots under the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme are nearing the 2-lakh mark in the country.
- PM-WANI Scheme was launched by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in December 2020 to provide affordable and high-speed internet connectivity to the public in rural and remote areas of the country.
- The scheme aims to establish a public Wi-Fi network across the country through the creation of Wi-Fi Access Points (WAPs) set up by public data offices (PDOs).
- The WAPs will operate on an open-architecture system, allowing multiple service providers to offer their services to the public through a single platform.
- PM-WANI ecosystem consists of four parts: Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider, and Central Registry.
- PDO establishes the Wi-Fi hotspots and provides internet access to users.
- There shall be no license required by PDOs from the DoT for providing broadband internet through these public Wi-Fi networks.
- To access public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, one needs to download a relevant app which shows the available networks.
- The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network.
- The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.
