PM-WANI scheme

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Key updates-

• This app has been developed in close coordination with C-DOT.
• This method of accessing Wi-Fi through the ‘mobile app’ would be in addition to the existing method of accessing WiFi at these stations through the conventional method of selecting RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID)
• PM-WANI-based access will facilitate ease of use through one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) to avoid One Time Password (OTP) based authentication, every time one tries to use WANI based Public WiFi.
• To access this WiFi network, android users can download the mobile app ‘Wi-DOT’ available on Google Play Store. 
• The government further plans to extend the PM-WANI based access of RailTel’s public Wi-Fi services to all 6, 102 railway stations (where Wi-Fi facility is already available) in phased manner by the end of June 2022.

About PM-WANI-

• PM-WANI is an ambitious program of the Department of Telecom (DoT), Ministry of Communications to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for ease of use and proliferate broadband usage for the masses.
• It  aims to set up 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.
• PM-WANI eco-system is operated by different players as described herein under:
  • Public Data Office (PDO): It establishes, maintain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers.
  • Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It will be an aggregator of PDOs and perform the functions relating to Authorization and Accounting.
  • App Provider: It develops 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.
  • Central Registry: It maintains the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. 

• 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 from DoT for providing Broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks. 

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

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