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The recently launched PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) scheme is indispensable for making India a vibrant digital country. Discuss
The recently launched PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) scheme is indispensable for making India a vibrant digital country. Discuss
PM-WANI Scheme:
- The initiative aims to elevate wireless internet connectivity in the country. Under the scheme the public network will be set up by the PDOAs to provide Wi-Fi service through the PDOs spread throughout the country.
- Wi-Fi is easier to scale than adding new mobile towers.
- It bolsters connectivity inside buildings, airports, etc. where mobile network penetration is limited.
- Also, Wi-Fi uses free unlicensed spectrum and Wi-Fi hardware is cheap and widely adopted.
- De-congest Telecom networks as enhanced usage of public Wi-Fi networks reduces load on Telecom Service Providers.
- It will vastly improve utilisation of the large and high-capacity fibre network created by Bharat Broadband Network (BBN), RailTel, GAIL etc.
- The World Bank observed that a 10% increase in internet penetration leads to a 1.4% increase in GDP.
- Public hotspots hold an important place in the last-mile delivery of broadband to users.
- It could bridge the Rural-Urban divide in broadband penetration in rural India is limited to 29.2% against urban India which has a broadband penetration of 93%.
- It will create job opportunities for entrepreneurs, local businesses, IT engineers, app developers and cybersecurity professionals.
- There would be a lot of savings for the government by putting digital information in the portal either through video, text or pictures and not go for conventional approaches like banners, hoardings and others.
- Hence the faster implementation of the PM WANI scheme holds the key for a New Digital India.