Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: PM WANI Wi-Fi Scheme
Mains level: NA
Why in the News?
- Under the PM-WANI scheme, India witnesses a swift rise in public Wi-Fi hotspots, reaching approximately 1,99,896 hotspots nationwide, according to government data.
What is the PM WANI Initiative?
- PM Modi launched the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) in December 2020.
- It is an initiative under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- It takes forward the goal of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018 (NDCP) of creating a robust digital communications infrastructure.
- Objective: To democratize internet access, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
- Implementation: Leverages Public Data Offices (PDOs) established in public spaces like railway stations, banks, post offices, and more. Users can access the internet via Wi-Fi at these locations without requiring a SIM card.
PM-WANI ecosystem consists of four parts:
- Public Data Office (PDO): It establishes the Wi-Fi Hotspots and provides internet access to users
- Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It provides authorisation and accounting services to PDOs.
- App Provider: It displays the available hotspots in the phone’s proximity.
- Central Registry: This overseen by the Centre for Development of Telematics maintains details of App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.
How to Utilize PM WANI?
- To access PM WANI services, users must install the Data PM WANI app on their smartphones.
- Through the app, users can connect to nearby public Wi-Fi PDOs.
- This application facilitates seamless connectivity to PM-WANI-compliant Wi-Fi hotspots, empowering users to access broadband services conveniently.
Data Plans Offered
PM WANI offers various data plans to suit different usage needs:
- Rs 6 plan: 1GB data for 1 day
- Rs 9 plan: 2GB data for 2 days
- Rs 18 plan: 5GB data for 3 days
- Rs 25 plan: 20GB data for 7 days
- Rs 49 plan: 40GB data for 14 days
- Rs 99 plan: 100GB data for 30 days
Role of Public Data Offices (PDOs)
- The PM-WANI scheme includes a provision for establishing Public Data Offices (PDOs) by rural entrepreneurs in remote regions.
- These PDOs procure internet bandwidth from telecom service providers or ISPs to offer Wi-Fi services at minimal charges.
- This model enables individuals to access the internet even in areas with limited or no data connectivity.
PYQ:[2018] Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of “Digital India” Plan of the Government of India?
Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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