Why in news?
India’s Ministry of Communications announced that the BharatNet programme has connected more than 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats with high‑speed internet as of March 2026. The expansion of fibre optic networks and 5G services is expected to accelerate digital transformation across rural India.
Background
BharatNet is a government initiative launched in 2011 (originally called the National Optical Fibre Network) to provide broadband connectivity to all 250,000 Gram Panchayats. By leveraging optical fibre, public Wi‑Fi and satellite links, BharatNet aims to enable digital governance, e‑health, e‑education and financial inclusion in villages. The project is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) and state governments.
Recent achievements
- Network expansion: Fibre route length has grown from roughly 19.35 lakh km in 2019 to more than 42 lakh km in 2025. Over 5.18 lakh base transceiver stations now support 5G coverage in almost every district.
- Connectivity at the last mile: More than 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats have been connected to optical fibre. Public Wi‑Fi hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme and village-level Wi‑Fi towers complement fibre connectivity.
- Affordable data: Data costs have fallen sharply, from over ₹300 per GB in 2014 to around ₹10 per GB by 2025, making broadband services accessible to rural households.
- Supporting infrastructure: The government is expanding cloud and data centre capacities, deploying supercomputers under the National Supercomputing Mission and establishing new semiconductor fabrication facilities to strengthen the digital ecosystem.
Significance
Improved connectivity through BharatNet enables delivery of digital services such as tele‑medicine, online education and e‑commerce to rural populations. It also creates opportunities for local entrepreneurship and jobs. Continued rollout of fibre and 5G infrastructure will be crucial for bridging the urban–rural digital divide and supporting government initiatives like Digital India.
Source: DD News
