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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has capped tariffs charged to Public Data Offices (PDOs) under the PM-WANI scheme to ensure affordable public Wi-Fi access. ISPs and TSPs cannot charge PDOs more than twice their retail broadband rate for plans up to 200 Mbps, balancing affordability with fair provider compensation.

Key Concepts Simplified

Term	Meaning
PM-WANI	Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface – scheme to expand public Wi-Fi
PDO	Public Data Office – sets up and manages Wi-Fi hotspots
PDOA	Aggregator connecting multiple PDOs and enabling authentication and billing
C-DoT	Centre for Development of Telematics – maintains PM-WANI registry
TRAI	Telecom Regulatory Authority of India – regulates tariffs and telecom quality

PM-WANI Scheme: Overview

Feature	Description
Launch Year	2020 by Department of Telecommunications
Aim	Affordable internet through public Wi-Fi, especially in rural/underserved areas
Access	Via PM-WANI app; users connect to hotspots and pay digitally
Stakeholders	PDO, PDOA, App Provider, Central Registry (C-DoT)
Participation	No license/registration fee for PDOs to promote local entrepreneurship
Infrastructure	Utilizes small shops, kirana stores, tea stalls for hotspot deployment

Key Benefits of PM-WANI

Benefit	Impact
Digital Inclusion	Narrows urban-rural internet access gap
Employment	Empowers small vendors to earn as Wi-Fi providers
Digital India Mission	Enhances digital communication reach
Economic Growth	Better internet access boosts sectors like education, health, and e-commerce

About TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)

Aspect	Details
Establishment	1997 under TRAI Act
Role	Regulates telecom tariffs, ensures quality, promotes fair competition
Composition	Chairperson, max 2 whole-time and 2 part-time members
Powers	Advisory in nature; not binding on the government
Appellate Body	TDSAT (since 2000) handles disputes and judicial functions, separating them from TRAI’s regulatory role

Government Initiatives Enhancing Broadband Connectivity

Initiative	Purpose
National Broadband Mission (NBM)	Improve digital infrastructure; NBM 1.0 aimed for village-level access by 2022, NBM 2.0 (2025–30) focuses on competitiveness and digital transformation
Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal (2022)	Single-window approval for OFC laying and telecom infra installation
Telecom Act 2023 & RoW Rules 2024	Streamline broadband infra deployment
Amended BharatNet (2023)	Fiber connectivity in ring topology to 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats and on-demand rural coverage
Submarine OFC Projects	Chennai–Andaman & Nicobar and Kochi–Lakshadweep connectivity now operational with 243.31 Gbps utilization

In a Nutshell – Memory Code: “WANI-SAFE”

W – Wi-Fi access to all
A – Affordable internet via PDOs
N – National digital inclusion
I – Infrastructure without license fees
S – Streamlined rules by TRAI
A – App-based easy access
F – Fiber support through BharatNet
E – Empowerment via entrepreneurship

Prelims Practice Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT a stakeholder under the PM-WANI scheme?
   A. PDO
   B. PDOA
   C. Internet Gateway Provider
   D. App Provider
2. Under the new TRAI guideline, ISPs can charge PDOs:
   A. Unlimited tariff
   B. Equal to their retail price
   C. Maximum twice their retail tariff for plans up to 200 Mbps
   D. Three times the commercial rate
3. The Central Registry in the PM-WANI scheme is maintained by:
   A. TRAI
   B. NIC
   C. BSNL
   D. C-DoT

Mains Practice Questions

1. Discuss the role of PM-WANI in bridging the digital divide in India. How can it support inclusive economic development? (GS 2)
2. Examine the role of TRAI and recent reforms in enhancing broadband connectivity in India under schemes like BharatNet and PM-WANI. (GS 2)

Answer Key with Explanation

Qn	Answer	Explanation
1	C	Internet Gateway Provider is not part of the PM-WANI framework
2	C	TRAI capped charges to PDOs at twice the retail rate for plans ≤ 200 Mbps
3	D	C-DoT maintains the central registry for PM-WANI ecosystem