BSNL – the largest WiFi network on the PM-WANI framework

BSNL has an open policy for public Wi-Fi partners. Ms. Sushma Mishra, GM, Broadband Networks, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. shares the BSNL involvement in the PM WANI scheme.

BSNL’s Wireless Broadband Infrastructure is probably the largest in the country – a consolidated network consisting of mobile, fiber, copper, WiFi, and national backbone

•BSNL has WiFi access points present across states, these are provided to Enterprise customers like hospitals, schools, government departments, offices, businesses, and the tourism ministry. It is also used for offloading the BSNL mobile traffic to ensure better quality when customers are not moving or inside buildings. WiFi access is also used in rural exchanges and of late it is used as access points or PDO of PM WANI, primarily in rural areas.

BSNL WiFi network has been growing over the last few years

• BSNL has been providing WiFi Hotspots for the last 5 years.

• It started with mobile data offload and later extended to covering Enterprise customers. Further, BSNL commissioned WiFi hotspots in Rural exchanges under DoT (USOF) funded project.

• Now BSNL has migrated this WiFi launched an Open Wi-Fi Policy, under PM WANI, which PDO can be opened in the rural areas.

The transition of the BSNL WiFi network to the PM WANI framework.

•             The objective was to move WiFi access to the masses.

•             For adopting the PMWANI framework, BSNL Registered itself as PDOA (in the Central Registry maintained by C-DoT).

•             BSNL integrated its core equipment with the technical systems of CDoT (see story on C-DoT’s PM WANI Framework).

BSNL’s PM WANI framework will reduce the Digital Divide significantly

• The BSNL PM-WANI network will help in reaching a wider customer base that no other network in the country has today.

• For those who need to avail of data services, especially in rural areas, this is the best network.

• As per the Public WiFi Partners or PWP policy, local micro-entrepreneurs in rural areas can open PDOs with BSNL, to make available WiFi services at affordable rates to rural people.

• Public Data Office PDO, is the acronym used for Retail Hotspot locations such as retail shops may be tea/coffee/groceries where a good number of foot-falls are involved.

The BSNL’s WiFi Hotspots in rural areas have greatly benefited Students and small traders in these villages during Covid times when the dependency for all kinds of activities had fallen on Digital communications.

Rural and remote area coverage of the network

• The existing Wi-Fi network is primarily catering to the Rural landscape.

• BSNL has more than 35000 access points, and APs, under PM-WANI.

• As local entrepreneurs based on need and business cases become BSNL’s PDO, the reach will further, improve.

• The BSNL’s WiFi Hotspots in rural areas have greatly benefited Students and small traders in these villages during Covid times when the dependency for all kinds of activities had fallen on Digital communications.

• BSNL has also commissioned WiFi in select paramilitary camps, wherein there is no connectivity for our soldiers to communicate with their families.

• In some rural areas, which are far flung and has no communication facilities, the WiFi services has been of immense use for the people in general and students in particular.

• BSNL’s WiFi service is available across the nation including Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Public Data Office PDO, is the acronym used for Retail Hotspot locations such as retail shops may be tea/coffee/groceries where a good number of foot-falls are involved.

Partnership with BSNL

•             BSNL has an open Public WiFi policy, which enables anyone to become a partner to deliver the last mile under BSNL (PDOA).

As a supplier of bandwidth to other PDOAs under PM WANI

• BSNL offers special tariffs for backhaul to other PDOAs registered by DOT.

• BSNL’s policy is adequately structured to meet the needs of partners willing to provide WiFi Services in general and under the PM-WANI scheme in particular.

• Affordability and pricing aspects of PM WANI scheme under BSNL.

• BSNL’s WiFi tariffs are very affordable and based on market conditions, BSNL tariffs are always aligned to be the most competitive in the market.

• There are essentially 3 Models of Operation for Wi-Fi Services under Bulk and Retail Plans.

• Business Partners on-boarded under three models: Model-I, Model-II, and Model-III shall be termed as “Public Wi-Fi Partners” (PWPs).