PM WANI

Why in news?

• The registrations for applying to offer Wi-Fi services under the recently launched Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM Wani) initiative will open by the first week of January.

About PM WANI:

• PM WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) aims to bring large scale deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots through the country to drive up connectivity options and improve digital access.
• PM-WANI eco-system will be operated by different players described as:
  • Public Data Office (PDO): It will establish, 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 will develop 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 will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the Central Registry will be maintained by C-DoT.
• Besides generating employment, such a public Wi-Fi network will boost disposable incomes of small and medium entrepreneurs, which in turn will have a positive impact on the GDP.
• The Indian public Wi-Fi hotspot network will enable access to the Internet through public access points only through electronic KYC and a mix of OTP and MAC ID-based authentication system, thereby minimising the risk of network security being compromised.

How the system will be set up:

• Public Wi-Fi Networks will be set up by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) who will provide public Wi-Fi service through Public Data Offices (PDOs) and they will also provide the entire backend support to PDOs.
• Public Data Offices (PDOs) can be any entrepreneur/ small businesses like shops willing to tie up with PDOA and install Wi-Fi access points and provides hotspots in public space.
• PDOs doesn’t need a licence or registration but will buy bandwidth from telcos and internet service providers and resell them to consumers.
• C-DoT has developed a platform to provide services to PDOAs for applications such as authorisation, authentication, accounting, voucher management and linking to payment gateways.
• Those who want to access Wi-Fi should open the Wani app and choose from a list of all Wani PDOAs providing connectivity.

Prelims Question

Consider the following statements:
1.MADAD is an app launched by government of India for providing emergency services to women/ children in danger.
2.UMANG is an app that bring various government department services into a single application.
Which among the above statements is/are correct?
(a)1 only 
(b)2 only 
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question