• The Union Cabinet has approved a scheme called the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Initiative (PM-WANI) to improve wireless connectivity and pave the way for free wireless internet in public spaces across the country.
• In simple words, the scheme will allow anyone, from an individual in a residential area to a Kirana shop owner to a tea shop vendor, to set up public Wi-Fi hotspot and deliver wifi services.
• It aims to promote the growth of public wi-fi networks in the country. 

PM-WANI scheme will be operated by following players :

• Public Data Office (PDO): It will establish, maintain, and operate only WANI compliant Wi-Fi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers. (tea shop, or kirana shop, individual or any organisation.)
• Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA): It will look after functions relating to Authorization and Accounting of PDOs.
• App Provider: It will develop an App to register users and discover WANI compliant Wi-Fi hotspots in the nearby area and display the same within the App for accessing the internet service.
• Central Registry: It will maintain the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs. To begin with, the Central Registry will be maintained by C-DoT.

Fees & Registration of PDOs :

• For PDOs, there will be no licence, registration or any other fees.
• PDOAs and App Providers will need to get themselves registered with DoT through online registration portal (SARALSANCHAR; https://saralsanchar.gov.in), without paying any registration fee. Registration shall be granted within 7 days of the application.

Benefit of PM-WANI :

• The scheme will not only boost Digital India mission but further ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and ‘Ease of Living’.
• Besides, it would boost the incomes source as well as ensure that youth gets seamless internet connectivity.