Digital India: TRAI Proposes Public Data Offices On The Lines Of PCOs 

Towards the aim of realising a Digital India, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today (6 April) proposed the idea of setting up Public Data Offices (PDOs) on the lines on Public Call Offices (PCOs) to ensure accessible internet for all in the country, ANI has reported.

Envisioning a system through which individuals can access the internet for as low as Rs 2, the TRAI wants a process in place where any small entrepreneur can purchase, self-register, setup and operate a PDO.

TRAI launched a pilot for the system last year, lasting upto 16 October 2017, which reportedly saw keen participation from a number of unbundled service providers for the PDO operators, user authentication, hardware and software providers and KYC and payment providers.

According to TRAI’s plan, an open architecture based Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (WANI) will be established, with users being able to connect to WANI complaint networks seamlessly through one-click authentication and payment.

TRAI believes that accessible low-cost broadband services are essential to create a Digital India and Wi-Fi technologies can help meet this requirement. PDOs, like PCOs at every nook and corner, the TRAI hopes, can help meet this aim.