BharatNet has connected more than 2.14 lakh gram panchayats by utilising 6,92,299 km of optical fibre cables, along with radio and satellite technologies.

Dec 21, 2024

BharatNet, the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity programme, has helped connect more than 2,14,283 gram panchayats by utilising optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies.

Launched in October 2011, the project aims to provide affordable, high-speed internet access to every gram panchayat in the country.

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As per an official statement by the Ministry of Communications, the initiative seeks to empower rural India, fostering inclusive growth and bridging the gap between urban and rural communities. BharatNet is not merely an infrastructure project; it is the backbone of India’s journey towards a truly digital nation.

The project offers affordable internet with broadband services in rural areas starting at INR 99 per month. The estimated monthly internet data usage is 1,37967 TB.

In addition, 11,60,367 Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections are commissioned and 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots are installed to ensure last-mile connectivity.

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It is being implemented in three phases. Phase I was completed in December 2017. During the second phase, the coverage was expanded to add 1.5 lakh more gram panchayats. This phase incorporated collaborative efforts with state governments and private entities. The third phase aims at future-proofing the network by integrating 5G technologies, increasing bandwidth capacity, and ensuring robust last-mile connectivity.