Why in news?
The government has announced progress on the BharatNet Project, with more than 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats now service‑ready for broadband connectivity. A revised model approved in 2023 aims to extend optical fibre to 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats and on demand to around 3.8 lakh villages, using a design–build–operate–maintain (DBOM) approach executed by professional agencies. This update underscores ongoing efforts to ensure universal digital access in rural India.
Background
Launched in 2011 as the National Optical Fibre Network and renamed BharatNet in 2015, the programme’s goal is to provide high‑speed broadband to every Gram Panchayat. It is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a public sector undertaking. The project is being rolled out in phases:
- Phase I (completed 2017): Connected around one lakh Gram Panchayats primarily using underground fibre.
- Phase II (ongoing): Extends connectivity to another 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats through a mix of aerial fibre, satellite links and radio. By December 2025 more than 2.14 lakh Gram Panchayats are service‑ready.
- Phase III / Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP): Approved in August 2023, it upgrades the network to a ring topology, introduces IP‑MPLS technology and provides fibre to villages beyond Gram Panchayats. Contracts will be awarded on a DBOM basis with a 30‑year concession period.
Key features and impacts
- Ring topology for reliability: By connecting nodes in a loop, the network can continue operating even if one link fails, enhancing resilience.
- Future‑proof connectivity: Optical fibre infrastructure supports 5G, IoT and other emerging technologies, preparing rural areas for digital transformation.
- Digital inclusion: Affordable broadband enables e‑governance, telemedicine, online education, banking and e‑commerce in villages, bridging the urban–rural divide.
- Economic opportunities: Connectivity attracts businesses, supports start‑ups, enables remote work and creates jobs such as local Wi‑Fi entrepreneurs and maintenance technicians.
- Empowering Gram Panchayats: High‑speed internet enhances the efficiency of local administration and delivery of government services.
Conclusion
By steadily expanding broadband infrastructure, BharatNet is transforming rural India. The project’s next phase under the Amended BharatNet Programme will not only connect more villages but also improve network performance and sustainability. Ensuring timely implementation and last‑mile connectivity will be vital to unlocking the full benefits of the digital revolution for all citizens.
Source: Press Information Bureau
