RailTel, a micro Ratna PSU, launched the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme on Monday, providing access to its Public WiFi services across 100 train stations in 22 states. PM-WANI is a Department of Telecom (DoT) initiative to connect all silo Wi-Fi networks for simplicity of use and to increase broadband adoption among the general public.
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Key Points:
- Android users can connect to this WiFi network by downloading the ‘Wi-DOT’ app from the Google Play Store.
- The software was created in close collaboration with C-DOT.
- This means of connecting to Wi-Fi via the ‘mobile app’ would be in addition to the present technique of connecting to WiFi at these stations by selecting the RailWire Service Set Identifier (SSID).
- PM-WANI-based access will make it easier to use WANI-based Public WiFi by allowing one-time Know Your Customer (KYC) to bypass one-time password (OTP) based authentication.
- The RailTel WiFi network now covers 6,102 railway stations across the country and has 17, 792 WiFi hotspots, with more on the way.
The government also intends to gradually expand PM-WANI-based access to RailTel’s public Wi-Fi services to all 6, 102 railway stations (where Wi-Fi is already provided) by the end of June 2022. By June 10th, there will be 1,000 train stations, 3,000 by June 20th, and all 6,102 by June 30th, 2022.