PM-WANI Scheme

Source: PIB

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The government has updated Parliament on the rapid expansion of the PM-WANI network, with over 3.9 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots deployed across India as of November 2025.

About PM-WANI Scheme:

What it is?

• PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) is a national public Wi-Fi framework enabling affordable, widespread broadband access through decentralized Wi-Fi hotspots operated by small entrepreneurs.

Ministry: Implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications.

Launched in: Approved by the Union Cabinet on 9 December 2020.

• To democratize internet access, promote digital inclusion, and create a nationwide network of public Wi-Fi hotspots—supporting the goals of the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018.

Key Features of PM-WANI:

• No License Required: PM-WANI allows small shops and local businesses to operate Wi-Fi hotspots without needing any licence, fee, or formal registration, making broadband delivery easy and low-cost.

• Four-tier Architecture: The system works through four components—PDOs providing Wi-Fi, PDOAs handling authentication and accounting, App Providers enabling user access, and a Central Registry (C-DoT) that records all entities.

• FTTH Support: PDOs are now permitted to use regular fibre-to-the-home broadband connections, reducing their operational costs and making hotspot deployment more viable.

• Roaming Between PDOAs: Users can seamlessly switch between hotspots operated by different PDO Aggregators, ensuring continuous connectivity similar to mobile network roaming.

• Mobile Data Offload: PDOs can partner with telecom operators to divert mobile data traffic onto Wi-Fi networks, improving network quality and reducing mobile congestion.

• User-Based Promotions: App Providers and PDOAs may send promotional messages or content to users, but only after obtaining explicit user consent to ensure privacy protection.

• Affordable Bandwidth (TRAI Rule): TRAI requires that all retail fibre broadband plans up to 200 Mbps be sold to PDOs at no more than twice the consumer tariff, ensuring that public Wi-Fi remains affordable.

Significance:

• Bridges the digital divide by providing low-cost internet in rural and underserved regions.

• Generates local entrepreneurship, creating lakhs of micro-Wi-Fi operators.

• Enhances digital payments, e-learning, telemedicine, and e-governance reach.