23-Dec-2022: Sufficiency of Fibre Networks

As on 30.09.2022, a total of 35.5 Lakh Route Kms Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has already been laid in the country, which will facilitate the increasing demand for better bandwidth, resilient and high volume connectivity. Optical Fibre Cable has the enormous capacity to handle the 5G connectivity. Further, to facilitate faster and easier deployment of telecom infrastructure, Government has amended the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 on 17th August 2022. These amendments pave the way for deployment of 5G small cells and optical fibre cable on existing street infrastructure.

Government as well as Telecom companies have laid optical fibre cable not only for cross country but also to strengthen urban and remote area connectivity. Major cities and towns across the States/ UTs are adequately connected. BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide fibre connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The scope of BharatNet project has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.

3-Aug-2022: Rural Fibre Network

BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the country. As on 25.07.2022, total 1,78,044 GPs have been made Service Ready under the project. The scope of BharatNet project has recently been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country, with the completion timeline as 2025.The implementation of the project has been affected mainly on account of the following:

1. BharatNet is a challenging project, with GPs widely dispersed across remote corners of the country, covering difficult terrains (including Hilly/ Rocky and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas);
2. Under BharatNet Phase-II, about 65,000 GPs in 8 States are being implemented by the State Government under State-led model. The implementation of the same is not meeting the targeted time-lines as State Governments are responsible for implementation.
3. The project has also been adversely affected by the lockdown and movement restrictions due to COVID-19 as well as Right of Way (RoW) issues.

3-Aug-2022: BharatNet scheme

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is implementing the BharatNet project for providing the last mile connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the country. As part of this project, CSC e-Governance Services India Limited -a Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC-SPV) had been assigned to provide the last mile connectivity, through 1Wi-Fi Access Point and 5 FTTH in about 77,115 GPs. As of now, 85717Wi-Fi Access Points and 126301 FTTH connections have been installed in these GPs.

CSC-SPV were primarily set up to manage the ecosystem of CSCs for their execution/operations and functioning for extending governance in public services viz Aadhaar Card registration, PAN Card registration, booking for train and air tickets, bank-related information/Financial Inclusion Services, Educational Services, G2C/B2C services, Healthcare services etc., to every citizen. However, CSC-SPV was assigned a pilot project for laying overhead optical fiber from GPs to villages in Bihar only under BharatNet project in October; 2020. Under this project, CSC has connected 30953 villages out of the total target of 32268 villages. In these villages, more than 28,599 Wi-Fi Access Points and 35,084 FTTH connections have been provided in Govt Institution in these villages.

CSC-SPV has to coordinate with various agencies including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for stable backhaul and other maintenance issues such as; optical fibre faults, batteries maintenance, air-conditioning, Solar power system, etc. at block level.

3-Aug-2022: High Speed Internet

Broadband/Internet services are provided in a phased manner by the Government and Telecom Services Provider (TSPs) in the uncovered villages of the country, including Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribe dominated remote villages. The Government, with funding from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), has schemes namely Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North Eastern Region, Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Area schemes, Aspirational Districts Schemes, Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Islands, etc. to extend Broadband/Internet services through setting up of towers in the uncovered villages of the country, including Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribe dominated remote villages. About 4,330 mobile towers have been installed under various USOF schemes.

The Union Cabinet on 27.07.2022 approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country at a total cost of Rs. 26,316 Cr.  The project will provide 4G mobile services in 24,680 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas. The project has a provision to include 20% additional villages on account of rehabilitation, new-settlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc.  In addition, 6,279 villages having only 2G/3G connectivity shall be upgraded to 4G.

BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, including Scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribe dominated remote villages, as on 25.07.2022, total 1,78,044 GPs have been made Service Ready. The infrastructure created under BharatNet project can be utilized by Service providers, for provisioning of broadband/internet services. The scope of BharatNet has been recently extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country with the timeline as 2025.

22-Jul-2022: Inspection Protocols of Fibre Cables under BharatNet

Under BharatNet Phase-I, 24 core Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been used whereas in Phase-II, 48 & above core OFC has been used for underground OFC laying.  Further, 24 & above core All Dielectric Self Supporting (ADSS) cable has been used in case of aerial OFC under BharatNet Phase-II. As part of the project, Acceptance Testing is conducted to check adherence to the standard.

Based on the observations in the draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, suitable steps, as required have been taken to address the quality and efficiency issues on BharatNet, inter-alia including the following:

• The Service Level Agreement based Operations &Maintenance (O&M) for BharatNet Phase-I, through professional agencies, has been entrusted to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
•  Under BharatNet Phase-II, OFC has been laid directly from Block to Gram Panchayat (GP).
• Under BharatNet Phase-II, the implementing agencies have been entrusted to carry out the O&M of the network after completing/ commissioning the work.
• BharatNet network is being given to Telecom Service Providers /Internet Service Providers under Revenue Sharing agreements to provide broadband services in rural areas.

Global Bids were invited on 20.07.2021 for implementation of BharatNet under PPP model in 16 States and opened on 27.01.2022. No response was received.

The Phase-I of the BharatNet has been implemented through three Central Public Sector Undertakings namely Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) and RailTel Corporation India Limited (RCIL). The Phase-II of the BharatNet is under implementation through BSNL and State Implementing Agencies except Punjab and Bihar where the Phase-II was implemented under Private Sector Model. In Punjab, HFCL and Vindhya Telelinks Limited (VTL) have made 4,713 Gram Panchayats (GPs) Service Ready whereas in Bihar, VTL and Polycab have made 2,669 GPs Service Ready. Further, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), the executing agency for BharatNet project has signed about 100 Agreements with Service providers for utilizing BharatNet Phase-I network in the country. BSNL has on-boarded over 700 franchisees so far for utilisation of BharatNet.

20-Jul-2022: Spending on BharatNet Project

BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to approximately 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. As per Cabinet approval dated 30-06-2021, the scope of the project has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs. In last five years (2017-18 to 2021-22), a total of Rs. 22,676 crore has been disbursed upto 31.03.2022 under the BharatNet Project by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). As per Union Budget 2022-23 announcement, all villages are expected to be connected through optical fiber by 2025.

23-Mar-2022: Special space programmes

In order to meet the communication requirements of the country, three Indian High Throughput Satellites with 25 Gbps capacity are operational for providing broadband connectivity under BharatNet programme to Gram panchayats where adequate Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity is not available. One more High Throughput Satellite is under realization. Government has opened up space sector for participation of the private players as co-travelers so that they can build, own and operate satellites to meet the growing demands for satellite capacity in the country.

27-Jul-2021: More than 1.5 lakh Gram Panchayats connected through broadband service with BharatNet Project

The Government has been implementing eGramSwaraj under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, as a part of Digital India Program, in the country to revamp the functioning of Panchayats. eGramSwaraj addresses various aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, accounting, budgeting including online payments through eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for services delivered.

As on date, 2,53,716 Gram Panchayat Development Plans for FY 2021-22 have been prepared. 2,25,153 GPs have adopted eGramSwaraj for the purpose of accounting in the current year 2021-22. Further, 2,24,671 Panchayati Raj Institutions have onboarded eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for carrying out online transactions. During 2020-21, 1,54,091 Gram Panchayats have done online payments worth cumulative of Rs. 48,299 crores (including all the onboarded schemes) through eGramSwaraj- PFMS Interface. For the current year, 2021-22, 1,09,565 Panchayati Raj Institutions have carried online payments worth Rs. 7,699 crores.

BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner by Department of Telecommunications to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats and equivalent in the country. As on 16.07.2021, a total number of 1,58,266 GPs (including Block Head Quarters) have been made Service Ready in the country.

Due to the COVID-19 related lockdown and restrictions the targeted date for the completion of the project is extended to August 2023 from August 2021.

20-Jul-2021: BharatNet Project: Tender invited for Public Private Partnership

Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), on behalf of Department of Telecommunication, (the “Authority”) has invited global tender for the Development (Creation, Upgradation, Operation & Maintenance and Utilisation) of BharatNet through Public Private Partnership model in 9 separate packages across 16 states for a concession period of 30 years. Under this project, the government will provide a maximum Grant of Rs. 19041 Crore as Viability Gap Funding.

The Project shall cover an estimated 3.61 lakh Villages (including Gram Panchayats) across Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The existing BharatNet was connecting all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the country by laying of OFC (primarily) between Block and GPs. The scope of BharatNet has now been enhanced to connect all the Inhabited Villages of the country, approx. 6.43 lakhs (inclusive of GPs).

The scope of work under BharatNet PPP Project includes:

• Connecting the remaining unconnected GPs under BharatNet project (Phase 1 & Phase 2) and all the inhabited Villages beyond the GPs.
• Upgradation of the existing BharatNet Network from Linear to Ring topology.
• Operation and Maintenance (O&M) and Utilisation of the existing as well as the newly deployed network.

The existing BharatNet network across these 16 States will become part of this Project. Last Date of submission of Tender bid is 24/08/2021

The project will be executed through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate & Transfer (DBFOT) concession on PPP framework. The idea is to harness private sector’s capability, capacity, and efficiency for O&M, utilization and revenue generation to make BharatNet more effective and accessible. This would also serve the objective of BharatNet to have social inclusion, through effective delivery of Govt. schemes and citizen centric services using broadband, and also to strengthen e- Governance, e -Education, Tele medicine, e- Banking etc.

BBNL is carrying out an open, competitive bidding process with single stage, two-part bidding (‘Qualification bid’ and ‘Financial Bid’) for the selection of the Bidder for awarding the Project. The bids for each of the package need to be submitted separately.

Tender documents will be available for downloading from 20.7.2021, 15.00 Hrs. from CPP portal www.etenders.gov.in. The document can also be viewed from BBNL website http://www.bbnl.nic.in.

Once awarded, the selected Bidder shall create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), sign the agreement, achieve Financial Closure and undertake creation, upgradation, operation & maintenance and utilisation of BharatNet across the concession period.

The BharatNet infrastructure is a middle mile network that is presently leased to service providers for providing affordable high-speed broadband to rural population – individuals, households and institutions. BharatNet is Govt. of India’s flagship project and is considered to be the backbone of ‘Digital India’ aiming to reduce the digital divide between urban and rural India.

30-Jun-2021: Cabinet approves BharatNet implementation through Public Private Partnership Model in 16 States with optical fibre connectivity to all inhabited villages

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today accorded approval for revised implementation strategy of BharatNet through Public Private Partnership mode in 16 States of the country.  BharatNet will now extend upto all inhabited villages beyond Gram Panchayats (GPs), in the said States.  The revised strategy also includes creation, upgradation, operation, maintenance and utilization of BharatNet by the concessionaire who will be selected by a competitive international bidding process.  The estimated maximum viability gap funding approved for the above PPP model is Rs. 19,041 crores.

The States covered under the Cabinet approval today are Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. An estimated 3.61 lakh villages including GPs will be covered.

The Cabinet also accorded in principle approval for extending BharatNet to cover all inhabited villages in the remaining States and UTs.  Department of Telecommunication will separately workout the modalities for these (remaining) States/UTs.

The PPP Model will leverage Private Sector efficiency for operation, maintenance, utilization and revenue generation and is expected to result in faster roll out of BharatNet. The selected concessionaire (Private Sector Partner) is expected to provide reliable, high speed broadband services as per pre-defined Services Level Agreement (SLA).  Extension of reach of BharatNet to all inhabited villages with reliable, quality, high speed broadband will enable better access of e-services offered by various Central and State Government agencies.  It will also enable online education, telemedicine, skill development, e-commerce and other applications of broadband. It is expected that revenue will be generated from different sources including proliferation of broadband connections to individuals & institutions, sale of dark fibre, Fiberization of mobile towers, e-commerce etc.

Proliferation of broadband in rural areas will bridge the rural-urban divide of digital access and accelerate the achievement of Digital India. The penetration and proliferation of broadband is also expected to increase direct and indirect employment and income generation.  The States where PPP Model is envisaged, will facilitate free Right of Way.

BharatNet PPP Model will bring in following consumer friendly advantages:

1. Use of innovative technology by the Private Sector Provider for the consumers;
2. High quality of service and Service Level to consumers;
3.  Faster deployment of network and quick connectivity to consumers;
4. Competitive tariffs for services;
5. Variety of services on high-speed broadband  including Over the top (OTT) services and multi-media services as part of packages offered to consumers, and
6. Access to all online services.

PPP Model in this critical infrastructure of Telecom is a novel initiative. The Private Sector Partner is also expected to bring an equity investment and raise resources towards capital expenditure and for operation and maintenance of the network.  Hence, the PPP Model for BharatNet will enhance efficiency, quality of service, consumer experience and leverage private sector expertise, entrepreneurship and capacities for accelerating achievement of digital India.  This will be in addition to substantial savings of public money.

8-Jan-2018: BharatNet Phase 1: Target Achieved Through Meticulous Planning and Focused Implementation at Ground Level

Government has achieved a significant milestone under the BharatNet by completing Phase-1 of the project by connecting over one lakh Gram Panchayats (GP) across the country with high speed optical fibre network as per the declared deadline of 31 Dec 2017.  BharatNet network built under Phase 1 envisages delivery of high-speed broadband services in over 2.5 lakh villages benefitting more than 200 million rural Indians.

The project will generate massive employment opportunities both direct and indirect in the country in days to come. The 2nd phase of the BharatNet will be completed well before the target of March, 2019 to usher in a rural digital revolution by connecting 2 lakh and 50,000 Gram Panchayats with broadband network.

The Minister asked the officials to include and enforce the clause of financial incentive for speedy execution of Phase-2 of the project and said that the infrastructure created under BharatNet will be a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the service providers. The project aims to provide affordable broadband services to citizens and institutions in rural and remote areas, in partnership with States and the private sector.

BharatNet infrastructure is expected to catalyse digital delivery of services for the rural poor – viz. health, education, livelihood, skills, e-agriculture and e-commerce.  The tariff for BharatNet was also revised to attract more Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to use the infrastructure to provide high-speed broadband services in the rural areas through Wi-Fi, FTTH, and for developing utilisation models by TSPs and Common Service Centres (CSC).