In today’s world, using the internet in our daily lives is no longer an option. The internet makes life quick, easy, and simple when used appropriately. The internet provides information, knowledge, and data useful for personal, social, and economic development. Although there are many uses for the internet, how we use it in our daily lives depends on our own needs and objectives. However, there is inadequate internet connectivity in rural areas. Therefore, the BharatNet project was introduced by the Indian government to ensure proper internet connectivity. This plan makes affordable digital connectivity available in rural areas.
Table of contents
What is Bharat Net Scheme?
The Indian government introduced the BharatNet Scheme as part of the Digital India initiative that provides high-speed internet connectivity in and around rural areas at an affordable cost. With the help of optical fibre, this high-speed digital internet connectivity will be made available to people in rural areas. It is the biggest rural broadband internet connectivity project in the world. The citizens of remote and rural areas will be able to access services provided by broadband at reasonable costs with the help of this initiative by the government of India.
By 2021, the country’s 2.5 lakh Indian gram panchayats and about 6 lakh Indian villages will be included in this program. In addition, B2B services are offered through this program without discrimination.
This initiative by the Government of India was launched to transform India into an empowered society filled with general and economic knowledge. Gram Panchayats’s internet connectivity will be established with the help of the BharatNet project’s internet connectivity infrastructure.
Implementation of the BharatNet Project
The BharatNet Project is funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund or USOF. The USOF was established to enhance the telecom services of rural and remote areas of the nation. Phases of the Bharat Net program implementation are mentioned below:
First Phase
By installing underground Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) lines, the Bharat Net scheme was intended to provide 1 lakh gateway platforms or GPs with internet connectivity by the end of December 2017. Phase I of connecting 1 lakh GPs is completed successfully. Phase-I was carried out by the Central Public Sector Undertakings like RailTel, PGCIL, and BSNL. The BharatNet project uses the already-existing BSNL fibre between blocks and gateway platforms to connect and lay the new Optic Fibre Cable or OFC. Work is currently in process for providing new GPs to these areas.
Second Phase
Phase II started in March 2019 to connect all GPs in India using a good combination of radio, satellite, underground fibre, and fibre over power lines. The success of phase II, which also involved laying Optic Fibre Cable or OFC over electricity poles, depended on the state’s involvement.
The BharatNet project now includes laying OFC over power poles. Aerial OFC connectivity has a number of benefits, including quicker implementation, simpler maintenance, lower costs, and the use of current power line infrastructure. The creation of Wi-Fi hotspots in gateway platforms was suggested to provide last-mile connectivity for citizens during phase II of the Bharat net Scheme.
Third Phase:
Cutting-edge network connectivity with a ring topology that includes fibre between blocks and districts for redundancy was built in 2019 and is expected till 2023. The Public-Private Partnership or the PPP model will be used to expand the project beyond the gateway platforms to every inhabited village in sixteen states.
The BharatNet Project’s implementation status as of February 2022 is mentioned below:
- India has made 1,72,361 gateway platforms ready for service, including 4,351 gateway platforms on satellite and 1,68,010 gateway platforms on OFC.
- 1,04,288 gateway platforms have already been installed with hotspots for Wi-Fi.
- There are approximately 2,13,834 fibre-to-the-home broadband connections available.
- There are approx 36,333 kilometres of leased dark fibre.
- The Bharat Net program has leased 4,038 Gbps of bandwidth.
BharatNet and its Services
Service providers, including ISPs, LCOs, TSPs, MSOs, and government organisations, are given connectivity through the BharatNet project to expand their services from gram panchayats to blocks. The Bharat Net scheme is a middle mile network from block to gram panchayat. The governmental organisations and service providers are provided with the following services through this project.
Bandwidth
From the block to the gram panchayat, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint bandwidth is available using GPON or Gigabit Passive Optical Network technology. The block location is where all service providers and governmental agencies can connect to Bharat Net program to provide their services to the gram panchayat level. The service provider must use technology to deliver services to its clients in gram panchayat. This bandwidth is provided at reasonable and alluring prices to advance the digital economy.
Dark Fibre
Service providers may also use dark fibre service that is available with the help of a new cable BBNL installed between the block and gram panchayat. It is an incremental cable between the fibre point of interconnect and the gateway platforms. There are approx 15000 Indian gram panchayats with access to dark fibre. This dark fibre is available for a very appealing and reasonable price of INR 2250 / fibre annually.
BharatNet Tariff
Tariff from block to gram panchayat for Bharat Net bandwidth with asymmetric bandwidth is mentioned below:
| Asymmetric Bandwidth (in Mbps) | Tariff / annum (in Rs) |
| 1- 9 Mbps | INR 700 per Mbps |
| 10 Mbps | INR 7,000 |
| 100 Mbps | INR 38,000 |
| 200 Mbps | INR 56,000 |
| 300 Mbps | INR 74,000 |
| 400 Mbps | INR 92000 |
| 500 Mbps | INR 1,10,000 |
| 1000 Mbps | INR 2,00,000 |
Tariff from block to gram panchayat for Bharat Net bandwidth with symmetric bandwidth is mentioned below:
| Symmetric Bandwidth (in Mbps) | Tariff / annum ( in Rs) |
| 1 – 9 Mbps | INR 1000 per Mbps |
| 10 Mbps | INR 10000 |
| 100 Mbps | INR 50,000 |
Objective of BharatNet Scheme
- Bharat Net Scheme’s primary goal is to bring internet access to remote and rural areas.
- All rural families will be provided complete access to broadband connectivity through this program, thus, improving their quality of life.
- The BharatNet program will also raise rural residents’ standards of living.
- Through this scheme, the public can access all types of services provided online or on digital platforms.
- The system will become more transparent thanks to this plan.
- Through this program, students who live in rural areas can also enrol in online classes that will aid them in succeeding.
Bharat Net Scheme Features
- The Indian government has launched the Bharat Net program.
- This program was introduced as part of the Digital India initiative.
- By using optical fibre, high-speed internet connectivity has been made available.
- As part of the BharatNet project, it is the largest broadband connectivity project for rural areas worldwide.
- Residents in remote and rural areas will now be able to enjoy access to services provided by broadband at very reasonable prices through the implementation of these programs.
- By 2021, the program will cover roughly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and 6 lakh villages nationwide.
- B2B services are also inclusively offered through this program.
- With this program’s launch, India aims to become a nation with a knowledge-based economy and a society empowered by technology.
- The internet connectivity infrastructure for gram panchayat through the BharatNet scheme.
Contact Details
This article has given you all the crucial details about the Bharat Net program. You can email or call the helpline if you still have any doubts. By doing so, you will receive the help you need. The following is the contact information:-
- Address: Office Block – 1, 3rd Floor, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi -110023
- Phone number: 011-24668400
- Fax number: 011-24668400
- Email ID: contact.bbnl@nic.in feedback.bbnl@nic.in
FAQ on BharatNet Project
What is the BharatNet scheme?
BharatNet Project was launched by the government of India in 2011 as NOFN or National Optical Fibre Network, and later in 2015, it was renamed Bharat-Net. It was implemented for India’s rural population to enhance the high-speed broadband connectivity of 2.5 lakh gram panchayat and approx 6 lakh villages. It is BBNL or Bharat Broadband Network Ltd’s flagship scheme.
How do I apply for BharatNet?
You must apply either BBNL dark fibre or BharatNet bandwidth. To download the application, you must visit the official site and complete the form with all the necessary information about your business, the locations where dark fibre or BharatNet bandwidth is needed, and other important information.
Who is implementing BharatNet?
The Department of Telecommunications, a division of the Ministry of Communications of the Government of India, established BharatNet, also known as BBNL or Bharat Broadband Network Limited, as a state-owned provider of broadband infrastructure.
What is the purpose of the BharatNet project?
The purpose of the Bharat net program is to provide rural India with appropriate internet connectivity through optical fibre.
Who has the largest fibre optic network in India?
The largest or the biggest optical fibre network in India is BharatNet. Infact it is the largest broadband connectivity using optical fibre in the world.
Why did the government of India launch the BharatNet project?
The Indian government launched this flagship project by BBNL called the BharatNet program to provide Digital connectivity to the remote and rural areas of India that are deprived of internet facilities.
