What is the PM-WANI Scheme?

About PM-WANI Scheme:

• The Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in December 2020.
• The scheme aims to enhance the proliferation of public WiFi hotspots to create robust digital communications infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas.
• Through better access to public hotspots, the government aims to increase employment for small and micro-entrepreneurs and provide low-cost internet to the underserved urban poor and rural households.
• The scheme encourages local shops and establishments to provide Wi-Fi for last-mile internet delivery, which does not require a licence or charge a registration fee.
• 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).
• How can you access the PM-WANI internet?
  • A user who wants to access broadband through public wifi will need to download the relevant app, get authenticated, and thereafter access broadband at any public wifi hotspot.
  • When the user reaches a public wifi hotspot, the app on the mobile phone will show various available networks.
  • The user can then choose the wifi network of choice, pay an amount—either online or through voucher—and use the network till the balance is exhausted.