TCIL, ITI Limited, and domestic optical fiber cable (OFC) manufacturers such as HFCL, Polycab, and Pratap Technocrats are among the key bidders for the third phase of the Indian government’s ambitious BharatNet program. Notably, Polycab, and HFCL have submitted solo bids, while 18 other bidders, including G R Infraprojects, Vindhya Telelinks, Pace Digitek Infra Private Limited, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), Bharat Electronics Limited, and Megha Engineering, have opted for consortium bids.
A total of 21 bidders are competing under the BharatNet III program, covering regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East and West), Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, and the North East Regions I and II. The bids will undergo further technical evaluation by state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
In a recent interview, Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman of TCIL, stated that the company plans to bid for a majority of the packages, specifically targeting 6-7 packages. Mahendra Nahata, MD of HFCL, emphasized that the project offers a significant opportunity to boost demand for optical fiber cables, telecom products, system integration services, and ongoing maintenance, aligning with HFCL’s core strengths.
Earlier this year, the Indian government launched the Rs 65,000-crore BharatNet III program. The tender, divided into 16 packages, closed on August 6, 2024. This initiative is part of the broader Rs 1.39 lakh crore BharatNet program, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, aimed at enhancing last-mile broadband connectivity and upgrading the existing 164,000 gram panchayats, with plans to connect an additional 47,000 gram panchayats.
The BharatNet III project features a three-tier structure: BSNL will provide Internet leased line bandwidth at 7,269 blocks; private players will manage middle-mile connectivity for 10 years, and last-mile connectivity will be delivered through the Udyami model. The project builds on earlier phases, with the Cabinet approving Rs 42,068 crore for BharatNet’s Phase-1 and Phase-2 projects in 2017.
