BharatNet Project, initially known as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), was inaugurated in October 2011. It got its current name in 2015 and since then, it has been recognized worldwide as the largest rural broadband connectivity initiative based on Optical Fiber. It is a flagship project managed by Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) founded by the Government of India under the Companies Act, 1956.
BBNL operates under the Department of Telecommunication which falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Communications. The project’s core concept involves modifying the implementation strategy and using Village Level Entrepreneurs (Udyamis) to extend fiber connections, thereby speeding up the process of providing connectivity within the next 2.5 years.
Objective of BharatNet Project
The overarching goal of this project is to provide competition to private operators such as Jio and Airtel by capitalizing on its outreach in rural areas where these private operators have a minimal presence. BharatNet is expected to attract users through the superior quality of service. It seeks to ensure high-speed internet access across all 640,000 villages in India. The project also aims to bring broadband internet connectivity to over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the nation, ensuring that everyone, especially those in rural India, can access online services with a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps at each Gram Panchayat.
BharatNet Project’s Revamped Approach
BharatNet is adopting an approach similar to private telecom firms such as Airtel and Jio, collaborating with Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) for the extension of fiber connections. Under this model, the government will cover the cost of infrastructure expansion to residential areas, and entrepreneurs will assist in the maintenance and operation of home connections. Revenue generated from this partnership will be shared equally.
Phases of BharatNet Project
The project has been divided into three phases. The first phase aimed to provide broadband connectivity to more than one lakh gram panchayats by December 2017 with the aid of underground Optic Fibre Cable (OFC) lines. The second phase targeted to connect all gram panchayats nationally using a combination of underground fiber, fiber over power lines, radio, and satellites by March 2019. Lastly, the third phase planned to create a state-of-the-art, future-proof network from 2019 to 2023.
Progress and Milestones of BharatNet Project
Earlier, the main challenge was extending fiber-based internet to residential areas after laying infrastructure under the BharatNet project. To counter this, a successful pilot project was executed in 60,000 villages with the help of local partners. This success led to the wider inclusion of Udyamis in the project, creating job opportunities for nearly 250,000 individuals. Up until now, the government has successfully connected about 194,000 villages, providing internet access to around 567,000 households.
Challenges Faced by BharatNet Project
Despite achieving significant milestones, the project faces several challenges such as slow progress and implementation delays. Only about 194,000 out of 640,000 villages have been connected so far. Other issues contributing to the delays include infrastructural problems, connectivity issues, and technical and operational difficulties. In addition, competition from private operators like Jio and Airtel in rural areas poses a challenge for BharatNet.
Recommendations for Future Improvement
To overcome these challenges, it’s essential to expedite the project’s implementation process and address bottlenecks. Collaborative efforts among government bodies, local agencies, and private partners can help speed up the process. Ensuring a steady flow of funds is crucial for the project’s success. Improving service quality is vital to maintain user interest, which involves fixing technical issues, assuring consistent bandwidth, and mitigating network downtime.