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PM Wani

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the proposal of Department of Telecom (DoT) to proliferate Broadband through Public Wi-Fi networks under the framework of Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PMWANI). This framework takes forward the goal of National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 (NDCP) of creating a robust digital communications infrastructure.

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The PM-WANI framework envisages provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers and will consist of the following elements:

  • Public Data Office (PDO), which will establish, maintain, and operate PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and provide last-mile connectivity to deliver Broadband services to subscribers by procuring internet bandwidth from telecom service providers and/ or internet service providers;
  • Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), which will provide aggregation services such as authorization and accounting to PDOs, thereby facilitating PDOs in providing services to the end consumer;
  • App Provider, who will develop an Application to register users and ‘discover’ and display PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in the proximity for accessing the internet service and also authenticate the potential Broadband users;
  • A Central Registry, which will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the Central Registry will be maintained by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).

To facilitate ease of doing business and encourage local shops and small establishments to become Wi-Fi providers, it has been approved that the last-mile Public Wi-Fi providers require no license, no registration and will not need to pay any fees to DoT. In fact, PDOAs, who will aggregate the last-mile providers will also not require any license. These PDOAs will only have to register, for which no fees will be charged. The registration process will be completed within 7 working days of the receipt of applications. PM-WANI framework will also encourage App Providers who will offer services for registering and authenticating users.

The potential user who wants to access Broadband through Public Wi-Fi will need to download the relevant App, get authenticated, and thereafter access Broadband at any Public Wi-Fi Hotspot. When the user reaches a Public Wi-Fi Hotspot, the App on the mobile phone will show various available networks. The user can then choose the Public Wi-Fi network of choice, pay an amount – either online or through voucher – and use the network till the balance is exhausted.

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