BharatNet Project Details
BharatNet (originally launched as National Optical Fibre Network or NOFN) is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity programme. Fully funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) – which replaced the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) – it aims to connect all ~2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India with high-speed internet.
Why in the News?
As per Ministry, 2.1 Lakh Gram Panchayats have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the country
Quick Facts
Purpose: Providing the last mile connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the country
Type: Central Sector Schemes
Funding: Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
Implementing Agency: Bharat Broadband Network (Merged into BSNL in 2022)
Objective
To provide 100 Mbps bandwidth broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.6 lakh) in the country to realise the vision of Digital India.
Salient Features :
Their is 3 Phases of BharatNet and laid down :
BharatNet Phase I
In 2011, National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN, now BharatNet) stablished for connecting block headquarters to GPs by using existing fibre of CPSUs such as BSNL, RailTel and PGCIL .
BharatNet Phase I I
Started in 2017 , Provides an optimal mix of media (OFC, Radio and satellite) to connect GPs. Multiple implementing models like State-led Model, Private Sector Model and CPSU Model.
BharatNet Phase I I I
For State-of-the-art , future proofing of network, etc
Current Status:
phases to be implemented by 2025 and status of different phases are as follows:
Phase 1: Out of 1.23 lakh allotted GPs, 1.22 were made service ready.
Phase 2: Out of 1.44 lakh allotted GPs, more than 71, 000 were made service ready.
BharatNet Project Details Approach:
Tie-up with Village level entrepreneurs (VLEs) or BharatNet Udyami to take the fiber connections to the homes on a 50:50 revenue-sharing basis.
VLEs will be provided with the necessary equipment, including routers and additional fiber optics cable by BBNL.
Satellite connectivity:
GSAT-11 and GSAT-19 under BharatNet project to provide connectivity to about 6700 GPs/areas which were not accessible through other mediums.
Other features:
BharatNet Project Details Project of national importance:
Network would remain a National Asset. Operation and Maintenance could taken up by the States.
BharatNet Project Details Leveraging private sector:
PPP Model for operation, maintenance, utilization and revenue generation.
Now the emphasis is to utilize the created infrastructure for broadband/ internet services through Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, etc
BharatNet Project Details Other benefits:
Facilitate delivery of e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking, public internet access, G2C, B2B, P2P, B2C, etc., weather, agricultural and other services to rural India.
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