BharatNet Phase 3 News: ITI Limited Inaugurates S-NOC in Himachal Pradesh

ITI Limited, in collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), has inaugurated the State Network Operations Center (S-NOC) for the BharatNet Phase-III project in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The newly launched S-NOC will serve as the nerve center for monitoring and managing the performance, security, and availability of the BharatNet network infrastructure in the region. 

In November 2024, ITI emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the BharatNet Phase-III project, securing Package 8 for Himachal Pradesh and Package 9 for West Bengal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with a combined order value of ₹5,050 crore. The initiative, funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), follows a Design, Build, Operate, and Maintain (DBOM) model focused on developing BharatNet’s middle-mile network. 

The S-NOC was officially launched at the BSNL office in Solan, in the presence of Rajesh Rai, Chairman and Managing Director of ITI Limited, and Anil Kumar Gupta, Chief General Manager of BSNL. The center will oversee connectivity across all gram panchayats in Himachal Pradesh and support last-mile broadband access for rural users. 

Under the project, ITI will connect 3,615 gram panchayats to 91 block headquarters using 10 Gbps bandwidth, all integrated into BSNL’s IP-MPLS Ring Network. The network is expected to extend connectivity to 15,538 villages, with around 20,000 kilometers of optical fiber cable being laid across the state. 

Speaking at the event, Rajesh Rai said, “We are pleased to initiate this S-NOC in partnership with BSNL. This project marks a significant step toward enhancing digital infrastructure and empowering rural communities in Himachal Pradesh through high-speed broadband connectivity.”