About PM-WANI

• Prime Minister’s WiFi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) was launched by the Department of Telecommunication in 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.

How can one access the PM-WANI internet?

• To access public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme one needs to download a relevant App which shows the available networks. 
• The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network. The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.

PM-WANI ecosystem

• The PM-WANI ecosystem consists of four parts: Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider, and Central Registry.
  • PDO establishes the Wi-Fi Hotspots and provides internet access to users. 
  • PDOA provides authorisation and accounting services to PDOs. 
  • The app provider displays the available hotspots in the phone’s proximity. 
  • The central registry, which is overseen by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), maintains details of App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.