Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a proposal by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to establish public Wi-Fi access network interfaces known as ‘PM-WANI’. This concept was first suggested by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2017. A variety of participants, including PDOs, PDOAs, app providers, and a central registry, will play roles in PM-WANI.
The Structure of PM-WANI
The PM-WANI infrastructure is imagined as a pyramid, with multiple players at different levels. The bottom level of the pyramid consists of PDOs or small retail outlets that provide last-mile connectivity throughout the country.
The Need for a Public Wi-Fi Network in India
Public Wi-Fi is essential for proliferating internet services across the nation, especially in remote areas. The new network will also be an affordable option for the common man as mobile internet tariffs continue to rise, even in urban areas with adequate mobile data coverage. Achieving the ‘Digital India’ vision is another critical aspect that calls for robust public Wi-Fi networks. As per the latest records, between 2015 and June 2020, India’s internet subscribers grew from 302 million to 750 million, indicating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20%.
Quality of Internet Access in India
Despite this impressive growth rate, wired internet subscribers account for only 23 million of the total. Furthermore, according to the Digital Quality of Life Index 2020, India ranked 78th and 79th (out of 85 nations) for Internet Quality and E-infrastructure, despite outperforming countries like the UK, USA, and China in Internet Affordability (9th position).
Potential Benefits of PM-WANI
Apart from providing a cost-effective means of mass connectivity, PM-WANI has the potential to generate over two crore jobs and create entrepreneurial opportunities. It aligns with the National Digital Communications Policy’s goal of setting up one crore public Wi-Fi hotspots by 2022, thereby contributing to India’s digitally self-reliant vision (Atmanirbhar Bharat).
Serving as Distribution Centres for Content
PDOs can serve as local distribution centres for content, enabling students in rural areas to access offline content without using bandwidth. By liberalising Other Service Providers (OSPs) regulations, digital Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) can go online without the burden of heavy compliances.
Challenges Faced by PM-WANI
Despite its potential benefits, PM-WANI faces significant challenges. Network security is a significant concern since Wi-Fi hotspots typically do not encrypt information sent over the Internet. This lack of security could lead to unauthorized access or hacking incidents. To minimize security risks, the Indian public Wi-Fi hotspot network has proposed permitting internet access only through electronic KYC (Know Your Customer) and a mix of OTP (One-Time Password) and MAC ID-based authentication system.
Project Viability Concerns
The viability of public Wi-Fi networks in India has been questioned following failed attempts by tech giants/ companies like Facebook and Google. Both launched projects aimed at providing public Wi-Fi, but neither had the expected impact due to various obstacles.
About Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi uses radio waves to enable high-speed data transfer over short distances and allows Local Area Networks (LANs) to operate without cables and wiring. It has revolutionised home and business networks and can also provide wireless broadband Internet access to various modern devices.
Global Wi-Fi Hotspots Growth
According to the Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018-2023), there will be nearly 623 million public Wi-Fi hotspots globally by 2023, up from 169 million as of 2018. Of these, the Asia Pacific region is expected to have the highest share, with 46%.
Role of Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
Established in 1984, C-DOT is an autonomous body under DoT, Government of India, dedicated to Telecom R&D. C-DOT plays a pivotal role in the development and proliferation of telematic services within the country.
Way Forward for PM-WANI
While providing robust service, the government must ensure data integrity protection, transparency on commercial data use, and protection against cyberattacks. It should also ensure true unbundled hardware, software, apps, and payment gateways in the WANI system, as advocated by TRAI, to prevent monopolies. Existing public Wi-Fi options run on a limited scale by some entities, compelling consumers to pay through a single gateway app, which highlights the need for reform.
