State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched a tender worth Rs 65,000 crore for the third phase of the BharatNet project, presenting a new revenue opportunity for vendors like Ericsson, HFCL, and Tejas Networks. This initiative is part of the government’s ambitious Rs 1.39 lakh crore BharatNet project, aimed at enhancing last-mile connectivity and upgrading existing infrastructure across 164,000 gram panchayats while connecting an additional 47,000 gram panchayats under a new model. BSNL has opened bids across 16 states and union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal, among others, which have been divided into two packages and categories.
According to the tender document, bidders can be a single entity or a group, with specified minimum net worth and annual turnover criteria based on the state they are bidding for. The technical requirements mandate previous experience in implementing OFC network construction projects and supplying a minimum number of equipment units like routers and switches over the past decade.
The BharatNet phase-3 project comprises internet leased line bandwidth provided by BSNL, middle-mile connectivity managed by private players for a 10-year period, and last-mile connectivity facilitated through the Udyami model. In 2017, the Cabinet approved the second phase of BharatNet, which employed various implementation models including state-led, private sector, and central PSU models. Phase-1 of BharatNet concluded in December 2017, covering over one lakh GPs, with subsequent expansion to 1.25 lakh GPs.
Use Bharatnet to upload census data at the Panchayat level if and when the next national census is taken. Employ fresh graduates and personnel from small computer firms/cybercafes to gather and upload census data. This will generate employment among the youth.