The Cabinet approved modified implementation strategy of BharatNet (erstwhile National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN)) project towards realizing the vision of Digital India.
The modified strategy aims to provide Broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) by March 2019.
Compared with the use of only underground optic fibre cable to establish connectivity in the first phase, in the second phase a mix of underground fibre, aerial fibre, radio and satellite media would be utilised to connect the remaining gram panchayats.
BharatNet
BharatNet is Centre’s rural internet connectivity programme which is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL).
It is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity programme using Optical fibre. Bharat Net seeks to connect all of India’s households, particularly the rural areas, through demand, affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps to realise the vision of Digital India.
The project is being funded by Universal service Obligation Fund (USOF).
The three-phase implementation under the BharatNet project is:
Under the first phase, one lakh gram panchayats would be provided connectivity by laying underground optic fibre cable (OFC) lines by March 2017.
Under the second phase, connectivity will be provided to all 2,50,500 gram panchayats in the country. It is to be completed by March 2019.
Under the third phase from 2018 to 2023, state-of-the-art, future-proof network, including fiber between districts and blocks would be created.