**Executive Summary**
This document answers Unstarred Question No. 616 in Lok Sabha, addressed on December 3, 2025, regarding the installation of a Wi-Fi system in Daman & Diu. It clarifies the number of pan-India PMWANI Wi-Fi hotspots is 3,91,599 as of November 26, 2025, and provides a state-wise count in Annexure-I. No separate funds were allocated for this scheme to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **PM-WANI Scheme:**
* The PM-WANI Scheme was approved on December 9, 2020, to expand broadband services through public Wi-Fi networks.
* It facilitates the setup of Wi-Fi hotspots by Public Data Offices (PDOs) under Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) with minimal regulatory oversight.
* As of November 26, 2025, there are 3,91,599 PMWANI Wi-Fi hotspots across India, detailed state-wise in Annexure-I.
* **Funding & Allocation:**
* No separate funds were allocated by the Union Government to the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu under this scheme.
* **Usage Statistics:**
* 241,61,459 users have utilized the PMWANI Wi-Fi network as of November 26, 2025.
* **Bandwidth Guidelines & Field Survey:**
* Specific bandwidth-related instructions/guidelines under the PMWANI scheme have not been defined.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Residents of India**
* **Impact:** Increased access to broadband services via public Wi-Fi hotspots.
* **Action Required:** Use the PMWANI Wi-Fi network for digital transformation processes.
**Stakeholder: Local Entrepreneurs**
* **Impact:** Encouragement to become Public Data Offices (PDOs) and/or Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs).
* **Action Required:** Set up Wi-Fi hotspots under the aggregation of PDOAs.
Key Entities Referenced
PM-WANI Scheme: A scheme to accelerate the proliferation of broadband services through public Wi-Fi networks across the country.
National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018: A policy document that outlines the objectives for creating a robust digital communications infrastructure in India. PM-WANI aligns with this policy.
Ministry of Communications: The primary government entity responsible for overseeing telecommunications and related policies.
Daman & Diu: A Union Territory in India; focus of the parliamentary question on WiFi system installation.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 616
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
WIFI SYSTEM INSTALLED IN DAMAN & DIU
†616. SHRI PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of the public places where Wi-Fi system has been installed by the Government
along with the details thereof including address during the last five years;
(b) the amount of funds allocated by the Union Government for this project to Union Territory
of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and the amount utilized by UT administration during
the last five years;
(c) the details of the number of residents who used this service so far, year-wise;
(d) the total bandwidth of the system installed in Daman & Diu, so far;
(e) whether the said bandwidth is appropriate as par the guidelines set by the Government and
if so, the details thereof; and
(f) whether the Union Territory administration has done any field survey to assess it and if so,
the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Government approved the PM-WANI Scheme on 9th December 2020 to accelerate the
proliferation of Broadband services through Public Wi-Fi networks across the country. The PM-
WANI framework, in line with the objectives of the National Digital Communications Policy
(NDCP) 2018, aims to create a robust digital communications infrastructure. The framework allows
Public Data Offices (PDOs) to set up Wi-Fi hotspots, under the aggregation of Public Data Office
Aggregators (PDOAs), with minimal regulatory oversight, thus encouraging local entrepreneurs to
participate in the digital transformation process. As on 26.11.2025 the count of pan India PMWANI
WiFi hotspots is 3,91,599. State wise count of PMWANI WiFi hotspots is enclosed as Annexure-I.
(b) No separate funds have been allocated by Union Government for this scheme to Union
Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
(c) As on 26.11.2025, under PMWANI scheme, 2,41,61,459 users have utilized the PMWANI
Wi-Fi network.
(d) to (f) Under PMWANI scheme specific bandwidth related instructions/guidelines have not
been defined.
1Annexure-I
No. of WI-FI
S.No State
Hotspots
1 Andaman & Nicobar 275
2 Andhra Pradesh 6074
3 Arunachal Pradesh 1017
4 Assam 1063
5 Bihar 4086
6 Chandigarh 253
7 Chhattisgarh 2839
8 Delhi 198275
9 Goa 430
10 Gujarat 11857
11 Himachal Pradesh 936
12 Haryana 18131
13 Jharkhand 1042
14 Jammu & Kashmir 2299
15 Karnataka 21834
16 Kerala 4987
17 Ladakh 601
18 Lakshadweep 1
19 Maharashtra 33084
20 Meghalaya 256
21 Manipur 21
22 Madhya Pradesh 7592
23 Mizoram 3
24 Nagaland 78
25 Odisha 3040
26 Punjab 3713
27 Puducherry 89
28 Rajasthan 2891
29 Sikkim 13
30 Telangana 4284
31 Tamil Nadu 7501
32 Tripura 310
33 Uttarakhand 980
34 Uttar Pradesh 47549
35 West Bengal 4195
Total 391599
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