: Mumbai, November 24, 2021

Light-touch regulation of Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access network Interface (PM-WANI) framework will encourage entrepreneurs to set up public wifi hotspots and generate additional revenue for themselves, stated Deputy Director General (Technology), Department of Telecom (DoT) in Mumbai, Shri Ajay Kamal. The senior DoT officer was speaking in a webinar organized today. In his inaugural address, he mentioned that the PM-WANI scheme has immense potential for proliferation of affordable broadband access to realize the vision of Digital India.

The PM-WANI scheme, launched by the Department of Telecommunications, aims to setup Public Wi-Fi Networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) to provide public Wi-Fi services through Public Data Offices (PDOs) spread across length and breadth of the country to accelerate proliferation of Broadband Internet services. The webinar was attended by officers of BBNL (Bharat Broadband Network Ltd.), CSC (Common Service Centre) and 70 of its VLEs (Village-level entrepreneurs) from Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Nasik, Sindhudurg  & Ratnagiri districts.

Shri Sanjay Sethi, Director (Technology), DOT, Mumbai LSA explained the various elements of PM WANI framework i.e. Central Registry, PDO, PDOA and App Providers. All the queries raised by the prospective PDOs regarding the PM WANI framework were clarified by DoT team.

About PM WANI

As per the National Digital Communication Plan, the Central government has set a target of setting up of 10 million Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022 and the PM-WANI scheme will facilitate this.

There shall be no license required by PDOs from DoT for providing Broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks.

The proliferation of public Wi-Fi networks in the country through PM WANI will accelerate the proliferation of public broadband services through Wi-Fi networks and it will enable local entrepreneurs such as chaiwalas, kirana stores and eateries to earn additional revenue.

Interested prospective PDOs can inquire at the following link: https://pmwani.cdot.in/wani/pdo.

DOT will assist all the stakeholders in implementation and proliferation of PM WANI.

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DoT/SC/PM

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