BharatNet Project Gets Nod for 6.4 Lakh Villages

• 09 Aug 2023

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the BharatNet project, green-lighting a plan to provide last-mile broadband connectivity to 6.4 lakh villages across India.

Key Points

• Collaborative Connectivity: Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a subsidiary of state-controlled BSNL, is partnering with village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) to ensure the vital last-mile connectivity.
• Connecting All Villages: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is set to accelerate the process of connecting all 6.4 lakh villages in India within the next two and a half years. Presently, close to 1.94 lakh villages have already been linked through the BharatNet initiative.
• Financial Commitment: In a significant financial move, the Cabinet meeting on Friday allocated Rs 1,39,579 crore to facilitate optical fibre-based connectivity to households in every village throughout the nation.
• Role Distribution: BBNL will furnish customer premise equipment and additional fibre needed for household connections, while local entrepreneurs will be responsible for network maintenance.
• Successful Model Development: The adoption of the fibre-to-the-home model, supported by local entrepreneurs, was solidified following a successful pilot project. This initiative initially covered four districts and expanded to encompass 60,000 villages across multiple states.
• Employment Boost: The broadband expansion project is projected to generate approximately 250,000 employment opportunities, further enhancing its impact on rural economies.
• Transforming Rural Areas: The increased broadband connectivity is already fostering positive change in rural regions, empowering individuals with access to remote medical consultations, online education, exam preparation, and various other emerging use cases.