A digital India needs Wi-fi for everyone

Source: The post “A digital India needs Wi-fi for everyone” has been created based on “A digital India needs Wi-fi for everyone” published in “Indian Express” on 13th October 2026.

UPSC Syllabus: GS-2-Governance

Context: India has made significant progress in digital payments and mobile data usage by initiative like PM-WANI, but public Wi-Fi connectivity remains underdeveloped. India has around 4 lakh public Wi-Fi hotspots, compared with over 13 million in France, highlighting the need to expand affordable internet access.

About PM-WANI

1. The Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) is a flagship scheme launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
2. It aims to accelerate proliferation of internet services by setting up public Wi-Fi Hotspots in the country with the objective of building digital India and consequential benefits thereon.
3. Under the PM-WANI framework, Public Data Offices (PDOs) establish, operate and maintain WANI compliant Wi-Fi Hotspots based on their techno-commercial considerations and deliver internet services to subscribers.
4. PDOs need to partner with a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) to deliver internet services.
5. As of 28 February 2026, 4,09,403 public Wi-Fi hotspots were operational, with 207 PDO Aggregators (PDOAs) and 113 App Providers registered.

Significance of PM-WANI

1. Digital inclusion: It can improve internet access for students, workers and low-income households.
2. Affordable internet: It enables users to purchase connectivity according to their needs.
3. Employment generation: It creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs and small businesses.
4. Rural connectivity: It can support access to online education, telemedicine and government services in underserved areas.
5. Reduced pressure on mobile networks: Public Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum and can supplement mobile data networks.
6. Competition: It can reduce dependence on a few major telecom operators by promoting an open and interoperable network.

Challenges in Implementing PM-WANI

1. High backhaul costs: Small Public Data Offices (PDOs) pay more for broadband connectivity than household consumers, making their operations financially unviable.
2. Resistance from incumbents: Established telecom operators have limited incentives to support small competitors outside their control.
3. Weak implementation: Although the PM-WANI framework was approved in December 2020, its potential remains largely unrealised.
4. Poor last-mile connectivity: BharatNet has connected over 2 lakh gram panchayats, but the absence of adequate retail distribution limits its benefits.
5. Geographical barriers: Hilly and forested regions may remain difficult to connect through optical fibre.

Importance of Public Wi-Fi

1. Affordable connectivity: Public Wi-Fi enables people to purchase small amounts of internet data according to their needs.
2. Digital inclusion: It benefits poor households, students attending online classes, and citizens accessing telemedicine and government services.
3. Better connectivity: It can serve areas where mobile signals are weak or unreliable.
4. Reduced dependence: It reduces excessive dependence on a few telecom companies and provides an alternative connectivity network.
5. Efficient spectrum use: Public Wi-Fi uses unlicensed spectrum and reduces pressure on mobile networks.

Way Forward

1. Integrate BharatNet with PM-WANI: BharatNet should provide affordable wholesale bandwidth to PDOs and aggregators.
2. Ensure fair pricing: The government should implement transparent and capped wholesale tariffs for broadband services.
3. Enforce service guarantees: Reliable connectivity and quality of service should be ensured for small operators.
4. Explore alternative technologies: Satellite broadband providers and other suitable technologies can help connect remote areas, subject to regulatory approvals.
5. Promote open networks: The government should support a consumer-first, interoperable Wi-Fi ecosystem that encourages competition.

Conclusion: PM-WANI has the potential to transform public internet access in India by making connectivity affordable, accessible and inclusive. Its effective implementation, supported by the integration of BharatNet, transparent wholesale pricing and participation of local entrepreneurs, can bridge the digital divide between rural and urban areas. It can also strengthen digital service delivery, promote entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on a few dominant telecom operators. Therefore, the government must demonstrate the political will to prioritise public interest and ensure that existing digital infrastructure benefits every citizen. A strong PM-WANI network can turn the vision of Digital India into a reality by making the internet accessible to all, irrespective of income or geographical location.

Question: “Public Wi-Fi is essential for inclusive digital connectivity in India.” Discuss the challenges in implementing PM-WANI and suggest measures to make it more effective.

Source: Indian Express