BSNL Launches Rs 65,000 Crore Tender for BharatNet Phase-III Implementation

About BharatNet Project

• Size and Scope:
  • BharatNet is recognized as one of the world’s largest rural telecom projects, designed to provide broadband connectivity to rural areas across India.
• Phased Implementation:
  • The project is executed in stages, with the aim of extending broadband access to all Gram Panchayats in the country.
  • This approach ensures systematic deployment and addresses logistical challenges.
• Non-Discriminatory Access:
  • BharatNet facilitates non-discriminatory access to broadband connectivity for all telecom service providers.
  • This promotes competition and innovation in service delivery, benefiting rural communities.
• Equitable Connectivity:
  • By reaching every Gram Panchayat, BharatNet ensures that even remote and underserved areas have access to high-speed internet, contributing to bridging the digital divide.
• Inclusivity and Development:
  • Through BharatNet, rural communities gain access to essential digital services such as education, healthcare, e-governance, and economic opportunities, fostering their overall development and empowerment.

Objective of BharatNet Project

• The BharatNet project aims to facilitate access to various services, including e-health, e-education, and e-governance, in rural and remote regions of India by enabling access providers such as mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to launch these services.
• Approved in 2011, the project seeks to bridge the digital divide by extending broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) through the creation of a robust network infrastructure.
• Execution by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL):
  • The project is being executed by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), established as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Indian Companies Act of 1956 in 2012.
  • BBNL is entrusted with the task of implementing the project in phases to achieve nationwide broadband connectivity.
  • Phases of Implementation:
    • BharatNet Phase-I (2011):
      •  Approved in 2011, Phase-I aimed at creating the National Optical Fibre Network, now known as BharatNet.
      • The project focused on providing broadband connectivity at the Gram Panchayat level by connecting block headquarters to GPs using existing fiber infrastructure of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and RailTel Corporation of India Limited. Incremental fiber was laid to bridge connectivity gaps up to GPs.
    • BharatNet Phase-II (2017):
      • Approved in 2017, Phase-II integrated the implementation experience of Phase-I with the vision of Digital India.
      • This phase introduced a modified strategy leveraging multiple media, including Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), radio, and satellite, to connect GPs.
      • Various implementing models such as the State-led Model, Private Sector Model, and CPSU Model were adopted.
      • Last-mile connectivity in GPs was facilitated through technologies like Wi-Fi.
    • BharatNet Phase-III (2019-2023):
      • The third phase focuses on creating a state-of-the-art, future-proof network infrastructure, including fiber connectivity between districts and blocks.
      • A ring topology network is envisaged to provide redundancy and ensure reliable connectivity.
      • The implementation period spans from 2019 to 2023, with the objective of further enhancing broadband accessibility and reliability in rural and remote areas of India.

People also ask

Q1:  What is the main objective of the BharatNet project?
Ans: The BharatNet project aims to extend broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas of India, enabling access to essential services like e-health, e-education, and e-governance. It seeks to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion across the country.

Q2: Who is responsible for implementing the BharatNet project?
Ans: The project is executed by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established under the Indian Companies Act of 1956. BBNL oversees the phased implementation of the project to achieve nationwide broadband connectivity.

Q3: How does the BharatNet project address connectivity challenges in rural areas?
Ans: The project utilizes a mix of technologies such as Optical Fiber Cable (OFC), radio, and satellite to overcome connectivity challenges in rural and remote regions. It employs various implementing models and strategies to ensure efficient deployment and last-mile connectivity, including Wi-Fi and other broadband technologies.