PM-WANI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Govt Policies)
Context: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed reducing broadband connection rates for telcos and Internet service providers (ISPs) from public data offices (PDOs) under the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM Wani) program.
PM-WANI
- About: PM WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) is a scheme meant to increase Wi-fi access throughout the country.
- Launched in: 2020.
- Launched by: Department of telecommunication.
- Aim: To democratise content distribution and broadband access at affordable rates through public Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Components:
o Public Data Office (PDO): It will establish, maintain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers.
o Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It will be an aggregator of PDOs and perform the functions relating to Authorization and Accounting.
o 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 service.
o Central Registry: It will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the Central Registry will be maintained by C-DoT.
Status of public Wi-Fi hotspots under PM-WANI
- National Digital Communications Policy 2018: Aimed to deploy 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022 under the ‘Connect India’ mission to build a robust digital communication infrastructure.
- Bharat 6G Vision: Set a target of 10 million public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022 and 50 million by 2030 to support the Digital India 2030 mobile and broadband policy objectives.
