PM WANI Scheme
On December 11th, 2020, the PM WANI initiative was introduced in order to build wireless access points throughout India. Anyone who qualifies may put up a wifi access point under this programme.
The PM WANI Scheme, often known as the PM WANI WiFi scheme or simply as the PM WANI, is a method of giving everyone access to the Internet at any time via wireless technology. This plan’s objective is to:
Boost internet speed using a public WiFi network. The process of looking for hotspots and setting up WANI access points allowing individuals to register at these locations in order to access the Internet enabling suppliers of broadband services to offer internet access without having to pay a license fee. KYC implementation allows for smarter use of internet connectivity. To put it simply, users must first register for PM WANI WiFi in order to access the internet.
What components make up the PM WANI Scheme?
The following components make up the PM WANI scheme:
- Public Data Officer: Its duties will include installing, running, and maintaining WANI access points.
- Aggregator for Public Data Offices: It manages numerous Public Data offices and offers authorization and accounting services.
- App Publisher: Internet users would need to download an App in order to access it. An app provider is the person or entity who makes this application possible.
- The central register keeps track of PDOs, PDO aggregators, and App providers.
- Users can access the Internet at hotspots that comply with WANI thanks to the WANI: Wireless Access Network Interface.
Public Data Officer: Functions of the PM WANI SCHEME Framework’s Components (PDO)
- Only WANI-compliant WiFi access points may be installed, maintained, and used by Public Data Officers.
- A PDO is required to use networks of authorized Service Providers in that region exclusively to link its WiFi Access Point (WAP) with the Internet.
- A PDO is capable of setting up many WAPs and connecting them logically to various Captive Portals of PDO aggregators. However, any PDO aggregator’s captive portal and a WiFi access point need to be logically connected.
- For internet access, PDOs are required by the WANI framework to have a business contract with authorized Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) or Internet Service Providers (ISPs). For aggregation, authorization, accounting, and other associated tasks, PDOs and PDOAs must also reach an understanding.
Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA)
- A Public Data Office Aggregator must register with the Central Registry and validate signatures using its public certificate. It must also register the SSIDs, locations, and WiFi Access Points of the PDOs it is linked with.
- Multiple WANI-enabled WAPs run by various PDOs must be combined by a PDOA in order to grant users access to internet services after they have been verified by the App Provider.
- The PDOA must integrate the Captive Portal with digital payment service providers, including UPI, eWallets, Credit and Debit Cards, Online Banking, etc., for payment transactions.
- A PDOA is required to publish the subscriber rate and maintain a record of each subscriber’s usage.
- While PDOA will keep track of specific subscriber usage information, internet traffic will go directly from PDO’s Wifi Access Point to the network.
App Provider
An App Provider creates and manages a software programme and its backend infrastructure for user authentication so that users can register and find WANI compliant wifi hotspots. Additionally, they offer one-click connections from within the app.
- The public certificate is used for signature validation during an App Provider’s Central Registry registration.
- Users can create profiles on the WANI App and perform OTP-based mobile verification.
- Additionally, the App Provider periodically authenticates each Subscriber using a preset mechanism.
Central Registry Provider
- The details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs are maintained by the Central Registry in line with the WANI framework.
- The interoperability of the PM WANI Compliant Wifi Access Points, Captive Portal of PDOA, and App is ensured by the Central Registry.
- Within 10 working days, the Central Registry Provider validates the hardware and software of the App Provider or PDOA in accordance with the check list established by the WANI architecture and requirements.
- The App Provider or the PDOA must attend the same within 20 working days of the Central Registry Provider’s written notification of non-compliance. They must also resubmit for certification to the Central Registry Provider.
- Upon request, the Central Registry Provider may remove the information for App Providers, PDOAs, or PDOs.
Terms & Conditions
- A PDO may be any entity. Public Data Officers are not required to register with the DoT. In agreement with a PDOA, a PDO can set up a WiFi infrastructure that complies with WANI.
- A Public Data Office Aggregator may be any business registered under the Companies Act of 2013. A PDOA must adhere to the relevant FDI regulations for the telecommunications industry.
- There is no registration cost required to register a PDOA with the DoT.
- An App Provider may be any business that has a Companies Act of 2013 registration. The App Provider is required to follow the relevant FDI regulations for the telecommunications industry.
- There is no registration cost required to register an app provider with the DoT.
- The applicant company may submit a PDOA or App Provider registration application.