A Paradigm Shift in Public Wi-Fi: PM-WANI’s Potential to Transform India’s Digital Infrastructure
In the realm of current events, the limelight is on the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme, poised to orchestrate a revolution in India’s public Wi-Fi landscape. This innovative scheme has the potential to be a game-changer, particularly in bolstering India’s digital public infrastructure.
The crux of this initiative lies in its ability to facilitate public Wi-Fi data services through small-scale retail data offices, offering the tantalizing prospect of extending broadband internet connectivity to remote and underserved regions with minimal financial outlay.
Unveiling PM-WANI
In Brief:
PM-WANI, ushered in by the Department of Telecom (DoT) in December 2020, stands as a pivotal program aimed at amplifying the prevalence of public Wi-Fi hotspots, with the overarching goal of establishing a robust digital communication framework across the nation, with a special focus on rural areas.
At its core, PM-WANI serves as a framework that empowers diverse entities, ranging from shop proprietors and tea stall operators to Kirana store owners, to set up public Wi-Fi hotspots and extend internet services to their patrons.
This visionary framework propels the aspirations laid out in the National Digital Communications Policy of 2018 (NDCP), wherein the objective was to forge an unassailable digital communication infrastructure.
Significance Amplified:
In a bid to streamline business operations and encourage local enterprises to step into the role of Wi-Fi service providers, it has been determined that last-mile Public Wi-Fi providers will be absolved of the need for licensing, registration, or any associated fees payable to the DoT.
Components of PM-WANI Ecosystem:
PM-WANI boasts a multi-pronged ecosystem comprising four crucial elements:
- Public Data Office (PDO): PDO functions as the entity responsible for instituting, upkeeping, and operating Wi-Fi hotspots, thereby offering the final link to users by procuring internet bandwidth from telecom or internet service providers.
- Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): PDOA takes on the role of an entity providing aggregation services, including authorization and accounting, to PDOs, effectively facilitating their provision of services to end-users.
- App Provider: This entity is tasked with developing an application for user registration and the discovery and presentation of PM-WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in close proximity. Additionally, it handles user authentication.
- Central Registry: Responsible for maintaining records of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs, the Central Registry is currently overseen by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT).
Current Status:
As of November 2022, the PM-WANI central registry has documented the existence of 188 PDO aggregators, 109 app providers, and an impressive 1,150,394 public Wi-Fi hotspots.
The Prowess of PM-WANI
A Potential Game-Changer for India’s Digital Public Infrastructure:
PM-WANI constitutes a pivotal component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), promising to democratize internet accessibility and bridge the digital divide. It empowers individuals from all walks of life to become Wi-Fi providers and users, exempt from the shackles of licensing, registration, or fees.
To accomplish this feat, PM-WANI leverages the existing physical and social infrastructure, including shops, CSCs, SDCs, post offices, schools, and panchayats, to establish a widespread and decentralized network of Wi-Fi hotspots. It harnesses the pre-existing digital infrastructure, such as Aadhaar, UPI, e-KYC, e-Sign, to facilitate seamless and secure authentication and payment for Wi-Fi services.
By endowing citizens and communities with access to information, knowledge, opportunities, and services, PM-WANI aims to elevate their quality of life. Moreover, it seeks to enable active participation and contributions to the digital economy and society.
Deciphering Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
A Glimpse:
DPI encompasses fundamental building blocks and platforms, including digital identification, payment infrastructure, and data exchange solutions. These critical components empower nations to deliver essential services to their citizens, thereby fostering digital inclusion and enhancing lives.
DPIs serve as conduits for the flow of people, finances, and information, encompassing digital ID systems, real-time fast payment systems, and consent-based data-sharing systems. These three pillars form the bedrock for crafting an effective DPI ecosystem, all underpinned by open, transparent, and participatory governance.
India’s Remarkable DPI Endeavors:
India, through its India Stack initiative, secured the distinction of being the first nation to develop all three foundational DPIs: Digital identity (Aadhar), Real-time fast payment (UPI), and Account Aggregator, all underpinned by the Data Empowerment Protection Architecture (DEPA).
Deconstructing DPI:
DPI comprises three integral layers:
- Market: Fostering an ecosystem of innovative and competitive players crafting inclusive products.
- Governance: Encompassing legal and institutional frameworks, public programs, and policies.
- Technology Standards: Embracing identity, payments, and data-sharing standards to ensure seamless interoperability.
The Merits of the DPI Approach:
The DPI approach carries several advantages, including reduced development costs, modular end-user solutions, a diverse application ecosystem, and lowered entry barriers. It upholds a democratic, non-monopolistic system, replete with built-in scalability.
Triumphant DPI Initiatives in India:
India’s successful forays into DPI include Aadhaar, Unified Payment Interface (UPI), and CoWin. Ongoing initiatives, such as Unified Health Interface (UHI), Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and Open Network for Digital Commerce, hold promise for further shaping the digital landscape.