PM-WANI: Public Wi-Fi network may not have any takers

At a time when data prices are at rock bottom rates of around Rs 5/GB and there are over 700 million internet subscribers, the Union Cabinet has approved setting up of public Wi-Fi networks through public data offices that will not involve any licence, fee or registration. The public Wi-Fi Access Network Interface will be known as PM-WANI, and is aimed at spreading Wi-Fi in the country. However, it has come too late in the day and it is doubtful whether there would be many takers for it.

The proposal is based on a March 2017 recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India when data came expensive at around Rs 50/GB. Had the government set up public Wi-Fi access points then, it would have made sense.