Govt approves PM WANI scheme to unleash ‘massive Wi-Fi revolution’: All you need to know

The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved a framework for the proliferation of public Wi-Fi networks through the PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI). Briefing about the cabinet decisions, Union telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said at a press conference in New Delhi that through this scheme, the government is planning to “unleash a massive Wi-Fi revolution in the country”.

The framework includes multiple elements like Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregators and app providers to deliver public Wi-Fi services without a licence. “No licence, no registration, and no fee would be applicable for the PDOs, which could be small shops or even Common Service Centres,” Prasad further said.