PM-WANI

• 30 Nov 2024

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework aims to enhance internet accessibility across India by setting up public Wi-Fi hotspots.

• With 246,993 hotspots installed as of November 2024, the initiative is a key part of India's Digital India mission, aiming to provide affordable and widespread internet access.

What is PM-WANI?

• About: Launched in 2020 by the Department of Telecom (DoT), the PM-WANI framework aims to expand public Wi-Fi hotspots across India, particularly in rural areas.
  • It allows local businesses, like shopkeepers, to set up Wi-Fi hotspots, providing affordable internet access and supporting the goals of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
• Importance: By enabling local businesses to become Wi-Fi providers without requiring licenses or fees, the scheme promotes ease of doing business and ensures rapid deployment.
  • PM-WANI will significantly improve internet access fostering digital inclusion and innovation.
• PM-WANI Ecosystem:
  • Public Data Office (PDO): Establishes, maintains, and operates PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots.
    • PDOs provide last-mile connectivity by procuring internet bandwidth from telecom or internet service providers and delivers broadband services to subscribers.
  • Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): Provides aggregation services such as authorization and accounting to PDOs.
    • PDOA facilitates PDOs in delivering services to end consumers.
  • App Provider: Develops an application to register users and display PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots nearby. Authenticates potential broadband users for accessing the internet service.
  • Central Registry: It maintains the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. It is currently managed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).
    • C-DoT was established in 1984. It is an autonomous Telecom R&D (Research and Development) centre of DoT (Department of Telecom), Ministry of Communications. It is a registered society under the Societies Registration Act,1860.

National Digital Communications Policy, 2018

• About: NDCP, 2018 aims to transform India into a digitally empowered economy by enhancing digital infrastructure and services.
  • NDCP 2018 set a goal to deploy 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022.
• Key Objectives: Ensuring universal broadband access, creating four million jobs, increasing the Digital Communications sector's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to 8%, and ensuring digital sovereignty.
• Key features: It involves providing broadband at 50 Mbps for all citizens, ensuring connectivity in uncovered areas, attracting USD 100 billion in investments, training one million individuals in New Age Skills.
  • NDCP 2018 also focuses on expanding the Internet of Things ecosystem, establishing data protection, and ensuring accountability and security in digital communications.
• NDCP, 2018 and Wi-Fi hotspots Target: India has missed its public Wi-Fi rollout target, achieving just 0.5 million hotspots instead of the 10 million goal set by the NDCP, 2018.

Note: The Bharat 6G Vision targets 50 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2030, requiring significant growth and reduced connectivity costs to achieve this goal.