The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) proposed to expand broadband access through public Wi-Fi networks under the Prime Minister's Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) framework on December 9, 2020, which was subsequently approved by the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
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PM WANI framework
The PM-WANI framework envisages the provision of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi Hotspot providers. Under this framework, Individuals in a residential area can serve as Public Data Office (PDO) and provide WI-FI service. The framework includes elements such as Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider and Central Registry.
According to the PM-WANI framework, to facilitate ease of doing business and encourage local shops and small establishments to become Wi-Fi providers, it has been approved that the last-mile Public Wi-Fi providers require no license, no registration and will not need to pay any fees to DoT.
How to Access Broadband on PM-WANI Wi-Fi?
To access broadband through public Wi-Fi, potential users will be required to download the relevant app and complete the authentication process. Once authenticated, they can access broadband at any public Wi-Fi hotspot. When a user reaches a public Wi-Fi hotspot, the app on their mobile phone will display various available networks. They can then choose their preferred public Wi-Fi network, make a payment (either online or through a voucher), and use the network until their balance is exhausted.
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Minister of State for Communications, Shri Devusinh Chauhan, in his written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, shared the details of the number of Wi-Fi hotspots deployed under the PM-WANI framework in the country. As on March 09, 2023, 1,47,764 Wi-Fi hotspots have been deployed in India. The list according to state wise is as below.
The State/UT wise number of hotspots under PM WANI framework:
Sl. No | State/UT | Total WI-FI Hotspots |
1 | Andaman & Nicobar | 246 |
2 | Andhra Pradesh | 6057 |
3 | Arunachal Pradesh | 598 |
4 | Assam | 856 |
5 | Bihar | 3767 |
6 | Chandigarh | 256 |
7 | Chhattisgarh | 2796 |
8 | Delhi | 40521 |
9 | Goa | 422 |
10 | Gujarat | 4036 |
11 | Himachal Pradesh | 937 |
12 | Haryana | 3739 |
13 | Jharkhand | 1000 |
14 | Jammu & Kashmir | 1478 |
15 | Karnataka | 18807 |
16 | Kerala | 4899 |
17 | Ladakh | 371 |
18 | Lakshadweep | 1 |
19 | Maharashtra | 15374 |
20 | Meghalaya | 147 |
21 | Manipur | 9 |
22 | Madhya Pradesh | 7095 |
23 | Mizoram | 1 |
24 | Nagaland | 76 |
25 | Odisha | 2811 |
26 | Punjab | 3682 |
27 | Puducherry | 89 |
28 | Rajasthan | 2766 |
29 | Sikkim | 13 |
30 | Telangana | 4230 |
31 | Tamil Nadu | 7412 |
32 | Tripura | 301 |
33 | Uttarakhand | 892 |
34 | Uttar Pradesh | 8234 |
35 | West Bengal | 3845 |
Total | 147764 |