PM WANI Scheme

The PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) is an aspirational program related to Wi-Fi networks was announced by the DoT (Department of Tele-Communications). The PM-WANI program’s main goal is to increase internet connectivity usage in the country by introducing the decentralized PAP (public access points). An access point is simply a hardware device that allows other devices to connect to the internet via Wi-Fi.

The Department of Telecom first proposed the PM-WANI to increase broadband usage through public Wi-Fi, and it was approved by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on December 9, 2020. RailTel launched the PM-WANI at 100 railway stations in 22 states and this is regarded as one of the most significant milestones, and both the Department of Telecom and RailTel completed it successfully. RailTel, our country’s largest and most experienced integrated Wi-Fi network provider, has accepted responsibility for expanding and improving the PM-WANI ecosystem in the country.

Objective of the PM-WANI Scheme:

As previously stated, the main goal of the PM-WANI is to rapidly increase internet usage in the country at low cost. We also know that our country is working hard to become completely digitalized, and this scheme will help it a lot. This decentralized system will also allow people to access the internet organically and in areas where mobile data is not available. Overall, we can say that the main goals of the PM-WANI scheme are to increase internet usage in the country and make India much more digitalized.

PM-WANI Framework:

A framework is simply a structure that we use to design any software or product. The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) created the framework for the PM-WANI, which is the primary reason for the program’s success in the country today.

Any framework will have multiple components, each with its own set of capabilities. A framework can also be defined as a collection of various components. The PM-WANI framework also includes the following components: Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App provider, Central Registry and WANI.

• Public Data Office (PDO): The Public Data Office (PDO) is solely responsible for providing internet access to the public by creating, securing, and operating only WANI-compliant Wi-Fi access points.
• Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): In order for any PDO to function properly and for security reasons, we must configure the authorizations. So, in the PM-WANI framework, this is an aggregator that performs authorization-related activities.
• App provider: Android users can connect to the internet by downloading and installing the free ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the Google Play store. We can connect through the App because the App provider created an app that allows users to access the PM-WANI scheme through the App.
• Central registry: As the name implies, it is a centralized location that handles and maintains all PDO, PDOA, and app provider information.
• WANI: WANI stands for Wireless Access Network Interface. This is the component that allows users to access the complaint hotspots.

Achievements of PM WANI:

• As previously stated, the first and most significant achievement of PM WANI is the introduction of the scheme in 100 railway stations across 22 states in India
• PM WANI framework is also one of the achievements as it contributes to the successful wifi scheme in India.
• Accessing WANI WIFI where it is available by simply downloading an application from the play store is also one of the best and most convenient methods.
• The data plans available through the WANI WIFI scheme are very low in comparison to regular wifi and internet plans.
• The number of internet subscribers increased by 0.79% in June 2020 compared to the previous quarter and by 4.2% compared to December 2019.
• Today, there are more than 50,000 PM WANI hotspots; Very soon, more than two million PM WANI hotspots will be deployed
• With the deployment of the PM WANI scheme, more than 25 million job opportunities can be obtained
• Payment for the PM WANI internet plans is currently done through UPI (Unified Payment Interface)
• Users can create an account and login using a One-time password, which is also very successful and has had no downtime until today.

These are some of PM WANI’s major accomplishments, and RailTel has announced that many more features, such as much cheaper plans, the replacement of One Time Password (OTP) with Know Your Customer (KYC), and the expansion of PM WANI wifi hotspots across the country, will be launched very soon. 

Key Points about PM-WANI Scheme:

• Wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) is a cordless technology that enables computers, tablets, mobile devices, printers, scanners, and other devices to connect to the internet.
• RailTel launched the PM-WANI, a public-friendly service, in 100 railway stations across 22 states in India. 
• The PM-WANI scheme enables people to connect to the internet via fast public Wi-Fi services and low price.
• The framework developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) is the main reason for the successful implementation of this scheme
• A framework is nothing more than a structure that we use to design any software/product.
• Android users can connect to the internet by installing the free ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the Google Play store.
• Currently, we must provide the OTP (One Time Password) every time we access the internet via the PM-WANI scheme, which is not recommended because there may be times when we are unable to receive messages.
• In light of the foregoing, RailTel will soon replace OTP authentication with KYC (Know Your Customer), which does not require OTP to connect.
• As of June 2020, the number of internet subscribers increased by 0.79% compared to the previous quarter and by 4.2% compared to December 2019. 
• The number of urban and rural subscribers increased to 455.98 million and 293.09 million, respectively.

Conclusion:

The PM-WANI is an aspirational programme related to Wi-Fi networks that was announced by the DoT (Department of Tele Communications). It is a very successful scheme in India that is assisting India in its transition to a digitalized country by allowing people to access internet at very low prices. During the scheme’s implementation, the government faced numerous challenges, including economic viability. Data availability at low prices implies that demand for public data will be limited. We are all aware that similar projects have previously been implemented in India by many large corporations and are currently on hold. Despite all of these challenges and security concerns, RailTel successfully implemented the scheme with the most significant milestones (100 railway stations).