Lok Sabha Question No. 384 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-03
Subject: Wi-Fi Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 384 TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2021

## Wi-Fi NETWORK

## 384. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has recently approved the setting up of Wi-Fi Networks all over the country and if so, the details thereof ;
- (b) the  number  of  data  centres  to  be  set  up  to  launch  the  massive  Wi-Fi  network  and  the criteria fixed by the Government for setting up such data centres;
- (c) whether the Government is way behind in achieving the target of enabling internet reac to people as provided in National Digital Communication policy, 2018;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) Yes, Sir. The proposal of the Department for Proliferation of Broadband through Public Wi-Fi  Networks  based  on  Wireless  Access  Network  Interface  (WANI)  framework  has  been approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 9/12/2020.

As per the  WANI framework, it is envisaged that last mile broadband connectivity, will be through a network of public Wi-Fi access points. The backhaul requirement for these Wi-Fi access points  to  be  met  by  internet  bandwidth  from  the  telecom  service  providers/internet  service providers.  Under the distributed architecture and unbundling of functions, the WANI eco-system consists of following players:

-  Public Data Office (PDO): To establish, maintain, and operate WANI compliant WiFi Access Points and deliver broadband services to subscribers.
-  Public  Data  Office  Aggregator  (PDOA): An  aggregator  of  PDOs  and  perform  the functions relating to Authorization and Accounting.
-  App Provider :  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 :  To  maintain,  in  accordance  with  the  WANI  architecture  and specifications, the details of App Providers, PDOAs, and PDOs.
- (b) The WANI framework does not involve setting up of data centres.

(c) to (e) The National Digital Communications Policy 2018 (NDCP-2018) was notified on 22 nd October,  2018  with  a  strategic  objective  of  providing  Broadband  for  all.  Internet  is  being currently accessed mainly through mobile wireless technologies which at present cover more than 95% of the total population of the country. Setting up of public Wi-Fi Hotspots by entrepreneurs under WANI framework will further enhance the penetration of internet services in the country.

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