The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has urged internet service providers (ISPs) to actively utilise the BharatNet infrastructure to bridge the digital divide across India’s rural landscape. This call to action comes as the government accelerates the Amended BharatNet Programme, backed by an investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore.
BharatNet: A Renewed Push
Speaking at an industry conference, Niraj Verma, Administrator of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), highlighted the vast potential for stakeholders to contribute to India’s digital transformation.
“We are implementing the amended BharatNet project to connect nearly 2.6 lakh gram panchayats. This presents a great opportunity for ISPs to participate in a major national initiative,” Verma said.
Originally launched as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) in 2011 and rebranded as BharatNet in 2015, the project aims to provide broadband connectivity to 6.5 lakh villages. However, earlier phases faced execution hurdles, including mixed results from tenders awarded in Phase 2 across eight states.
Phase 3: A Revised Implementation Model
In Phase 3, the government has adopted a new approach—awarding 12 EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) packages in key states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and West Bengal. Public sector unit BSNL has partnered with companies like Polycab, ITI Ltd., TCIL, and Pratap Technocrats.
As of December 2024, over 6.92 lakh km of optical fibre cable has been laid. Around 2.09 lakh gram panchayats are service-ready via OFC, with an additional 5,032 connected via satellite. However, only 50,000 panchayats currently achieve the target 98% uptime.
Strategic Shift: From Deployment to Utilisation
Verma noted a fundamental shift in strategy “We’ve moved from deployment to network utilisation, focusing on reliability and service delivery. Under the new model, EPC contractors are accountable for service uptime, monitored by independent engineers.”
New Role for ISPs: BharatNet Udyamis
A stable BharatNet network opens up new avenues for wireline ISPs, including
- Leasing bandwidth or dark fibre
- Providing backhaul for mobile towers
- Delivering rural broadband services
ISPs can also partner as BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs) under BSNL to deliver last-mile connectivity. “We are inviting entrepreneurs—including ISPs—to join as BNUs. We are also open to alternate models to improve network utilisation,” Verma added.
Vision for Rural Digital Backbone
To streamline execution, the government merged BBNL with BSNL in July 2022. The Amended BharatNet Programme, approved in August 2023, aims to extend fibre connectivity to the remaining 3.8 lakh villages based on local demand.
Despite earlier setbacks, the government remains committed to making BharatNet the backbone of rural digital infrastructure, with a renewed emphasis on uptime, collaboration, and accessible services.
