PM-WANI

PM-WANI Latest News

Recently, 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.

About PM-WANI

• The PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in December 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.

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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).

Source: News On Air