Access to Internet Gets Easier: Wiom Raises $40 Million in Funding

June 28, 2025

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Wiom, a company that provides internet-based services to the underserved areas of India, has just raised $40 million in funding.

The round was led by Bertelsmann India Investments and Accel, with participation from Prosus, Promaft Partners, and RTP Global.

The funding aims to expand its reach to the underserved areas, hire more people to work on technology, and scale the product to the masses.

Wiom’s Journey

Wiom, originally founded in 2015 as “i2e1”, rebranded to its current name in 2021. The company operates on an asset-light model, meaning that it partners up with third-party individuals and local businesses who resell broadband internet in small, prepaid packets priced as low as ₹5–₹10. This “share-and-earn” model allows resellers to earn money while also reducing their internet costs.

Customers benefit from a pay-as-you-go model, bypassing the financial burden of upfront broadband payments.

Wiom has tied up with around 100 regional ISPs, particularly in Uttar Pradesh and Eastern India, targeting Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where internet infrastructure is often lacking.

Wiom is also India’s largest licensed Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA) under the government’s PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) scheme.

This public initiative aims to enhance internet access across the country by enabling local entrepreneurs and businesses to set up Wi-Fi hotspots, thereby bridging the digital divide.

“Access to information is key to realising one’s dreams— but it is often unaffordable for many. At Wiom, we’re committed to making as much information available to every individual, at as little as Rs 10,” said Satyam Darmora, Founder of Wiom.

Is Internet a Fundamental Right?

While Wiom and initiatives like PM-WANI are making strides toward universal internet access, a key question remains: Is access to the internet a fundamental right?

As of now, India does not legally recognize internet access as a fundamental right. However, in a landmark judgment in 2020, the Supreme Court of India stated that access to the internet is integral to the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). This indirectly positions internet access as essential, especially for exercising democratic rights, accessing education, and economic participation in the digital era.

Despite this, many experts believe that instead of declaring the internet as a separate right, technology should be seen as an enabler to the already existing rights and not a privilege on its own.

In an era where technology is the ultimate source of information, Wiom is doing a commendable job of providing access to information to the underserved areas of the country for a low cost of 5-10 rupees or even for free.

This funding has enabled them to give a better and informed life to many citizens of the country.

[Credits for header image: Viestories
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