November 25, 2021
A relaxed regulation of the Public Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) project will allow businesses to provide public wireless internet hotspot services
The project will not entail a project fee and it will empower local entrepreneurs to earn additional revenue
The PM-WANI scheme was launched by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to set up public Wi-Fi networks by Public Data Office Aggregators
More than 50,000 PM-WANI hotspots have been deployed within 10 months of the scheme’s launch
Light-touch regulation of the Public Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) project will allow businesses to provide public wireless internet hotspot services by setting up calling office-like facilities, according to the Deputy Director General (Technology), Department of Telecom (DoT) Ajay Kamal. Addressing a webinar on PM-WANI framework for Bharat Broadband Network Limited, Common Service Centres and Village-level entrepreneurs, Kamal noted that this will ease the provisioning of high-speed internet into remote areas that have an unreliable 4G mobile network coverage and will improve the ease of doing business, increase employment opportunities and incomes. Also, the project will not entail a project fee and will empower local entrepreneurs to earn additional revenue.
The PM-WANI scheme was launched by the Department of Telecom (DoT) in 2020 with an aim to set up public Wi-Fi networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) and provide public Wi-Fi services through Public Data Offices (PDOs) across India. As per the National Digital Communication Plan, the government has targeted 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots to be set up by 2022 which will be facilitated by the PM-WANI scheme.
As per data from PM-WANI Central Registry, more than 50,000 PM-WANI hotspots have been deployed within 10 months of the scheme’s launch. It is expected that this scheme will also result in 20-30 million job opportunities in small and medium-sized firms.