BharatNet

Introduction

BharatNet is often called the backbone of Digital India. Why? Because without internet connectivity in rural areas, the dream of digital governance, online education, telemedicine, or digital payments cannot be realized. BharatNet is that scheme which aims to connect every Gram Panchayat (GP) in India with high-speed broadband.

• Purpose: Provide last mile connectivity to all Gram Panchayats.
• Type: Central Sector Scheme (fully funded by the Union Government).
• Funding Source: Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
• Implementing Agency: Initially Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL), later merged with BSNL in 2022.
• Objective: 100 Mbps bandwidth for around 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats, fulfilling the vision of Digital India.

Evolution – The 3 Phases of BharatNet

Just like a big project is completed in stages, BharatNet has 3 phases:

Phase I (2011 onwards)

• Started as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN).
• Target: Connect block headquarters to Gram Panchayats.
• Method: Used the existing optical fibre of PSUs like BSNL, RailTel, PGCIL.

Phase II (2017 onwards)

• Target: Expand and improve connectivity.
• Mix of media: Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), Radio, and even Satellite.
• Implementation Models:
  • State-led Model
  • Private Sector Model
  • CPSU Model

Phase III (Future)

• This is about future-proofing.
• Use of state-of-the-art technologies to keep the network ready for upcoming needs.

Current Status (to be completed by 2025)

• Phase I: Out of 1.23 lakh GPs allotted, 1.22 lakh are service-ready.
• Phase II: Out of 1.44 lakh GPs, 71,000+ are service-ready.

So, progress is significant, but work is still ongoing.

Implementation Approach

• Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) or BharatNet Udyami will take fibre connections from GPs to individual homes.
• Revenue-sharing model: 50:50 basis between Government and VLEs.
• Support to VLEs: Routers, additional fibre optic cables, etc., are provided by BBNL.

Satellite Connectivity

• Satellites GSAT-11 and GSAT-19 are used to connect 6,700 Gram Panchayats where laying fibre was difficult.

Salient Features & Importance

1. National Asset: The network remains government-owned, while states may take up maintenance.
2. Private Participation: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for operation, utilization, and revenue generation.
3. Services Enabled:
   • Broadband internet
   • Wi-Fi hotspots
   • Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections
4. Other Benefits: Enables e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking, and even access to weather, agriculture, and public services.

Why is BharatNet Important?

Imagine a farmer in a remote village:

• He can access weather forecasts online.
• His children can use digital classrooms.
• He can apply for government schemes or bank loans digitally.

This is how BharatNet bridges the digital divide between urban and rural India.

✅ In summary, BharatNet is not just about fibre cables—it is about creating the digital backbone of rural India, ensuring that every villager becomes a part of the Digital India revolution.