DoT seeks ISPs to use BharatNet infrastructure to bridge digital divide
NEW DELHI: The
Department of Telecommunications
(DoT) has urged the country's internet service provider (ISP) industry to increase the utilisation of the
BharatNet
infrastructure to bridge the digital divide in India.
'We at DBN (Digital Bharat Nidhi) are implementing the amended BharatNet project with an outlay of nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore, which aims to connect nearly 2.6 lakh gram panchayats. I feel that it is a great opportunity for various stakeholders, including ISPs, to be part of this huge exercise taken by the government of India to bridge the digital divide,' Niraj Verma, administrator, DBN, said Tuesday at an industry conference.
BharatNet, a rural telecom connectivity project, is aimed at providing non-discriminatory access to broadband connectivity to all telecom operators, including ISPs, with the objective to connect a total of 6.5 lakh villages.
However, the ambitious digital connectivity has been facing several execution-related challenges despite multiple extensions.
"We have tried twice, Bharat Net Phase 1 and Phase 2, and we did not succeed to that extent due to various reasons. In Phase 1, we tried to connect 1.2 lakh villages, and then in Phase 2, tenders were awarded for eight states. The results had been mixed."Verma added.
Under the BharatNet Phase 3, he said tenders have been awarded in 12 packages, including in major states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Bihar, and West Bengal.
State-controlled Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has previously awarded contracts to
Polycab
,
ITI Limited
,
Sterlite Technologies
(STL), Telecommunications Consultants of India Limited (TCIL), and Pratap Technocrats, among others, under multiple packages of the BharatNet Phase 3 programme.
Initially envisioned in 2011 under the UPA-II regime as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), it was rebranded as BharatNet in 2015.
Read More | Controversies surface over BSNL's ₹1.39 lakh crore BharatNet 3 programme
In July 2022, the Cabinet approved the merger of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) with BSNL to accelerate project rollout. In August 2023, the Centre approved the
Amended BharatNet Programme
(ABP) to expand fibre connectivity to the remaining 3.8 lakh non-Gram Panchayat villages on a demand basis.
The top official said that nearly 2.12 lakh villages are service-ready today, cautioning that only 50,000 gram panchayats have an uptime of over 98% under BharatNet.
'We have now changed our focus from implementing the project to utilisation of the network and in amended BharatNet, it is a little different in the sense that we are giving the states as packages to EPC contractors, and we have a referee which is in the form of independent engineers,' Verma said.
'The idea is to get the services from this EPC contractor and a network with 98% uptime.'
He added that a stable network offers 'exciting opportunities' to wireline ISPs, who can lease bandwidth or dark fiber to provide backhaul for mobile towers, or deliver broadband services and generate a new revenue model.
'We are engaging BharatNet Udyamis (entrepreneurs) for providing the connections, and anyone, including ISPs, can participate as BNUs under BSNL. ISPs can also have a look at the network that will come up and how they would like to provide services. We are ready to look at any alternate model where our utilisation goes up,' the official said.
Under BharatNet, as of December 2024, 6,92,428 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid and 2,09,281 gram panchayats (GPs) are service-ready on OFC. In addition, 5,032 GPs have been connected over satellite media, thus, a total of 2,14,313 GPs are service-ready, the Ministry of Communications said last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
DJB warns of fake calls threatening water disconnection over unpaid bills
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) on Tuesday issued a public advisory following reports of fraudulent phone calls threatening water supply disconnection unless immediate payment of outstanding bills is made. The DJB, which manages Delhi's water supply and serves nearly 2.9 million registered users, stated that multiple residents have recently raised concerns over incorrect billing. Some customers reported receiving alarming messages on their registered mobile numbers, warning of imminent water disconnection. Unauthorised communications flagged by officials On Monday, Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma assured that the issue was under review and action would be taken to prevent further instances. 'These calls, SMSes and WhatsApp messages are not authorised by the DJB and are indeed attempts to extort money under false pretences,' the Board clarified in a statement. 'Payment over phone calls, SMSes and WhatsApp messages under threats of disconnection is not authorised by the DJB through any third party or individual.' The DJB emphasised that all official communication is conducted through formal written notices or official digital platforms. The Board urged residents not to make payments based on suspicious calls or messages without proper verification. 'No personal or financial details should be shared if such a call or message is received,' the statement read. Residents have been asked to report such fraudulent activity immediately to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or through the official website In a related development, Minister Verma announced that the DJB will soon introduce a bill waiver scheme. Under this initiative, domestic water bills will be reviewed and reduced by nearly 90 per cent.
The Print
7 hours ago
- The Print
Elon Musk's Starlink to get licence to operate in India soon, says Jyotiraditya Scindia
'Currently, two companies—OneWeb and Reliance—have received licences for satellite connectivity. The process for Starlink is also nearly complete. The LOI has been issued. And I believe it (Starlink) will get the licence soon,' Scindia said. In an exclusive interview with ThePrint on Tuesday, Scindia said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) earlier issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to Starlink. The final approvals are pending from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). New Delhi: Elon Musk's satellite internet venture, Starlink, is 'almost licensed' to operate in India, Union Minister of Communications and Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia has said. 'The next step involves securing approval from IN-SPACe. All three licence holders must undergo this process before beginning operations,' he added. In the meantime, Scindia said, OneWeb and Reliance received spectrum allocations on a 'minimal exploratory basis' to begin testing their services. Once licensed, Starlink will likely follow a similar path. 'After this, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) will provide policy norms for administrative spectrum allocation, which will govern commercial rollout,' Scindia said. The minister emphasised that satellite internet would be vital to bridging India's last-mile connectivity gap, particularly in remote areas, where laying fibre optic cables or installing towers remained unviable. 'In India, there are many regions where no telecom tower can reach and laying OFC is impossible. Satellite is the only option there,' Scindia said. 'It is not about platform competition; it is about giving consumers a choice.' 'As the minister of communications, it is my responsibility to provide a bouquet of services to consumers. The choice of which to use must lie with them,' he added. Also Read: Airtel and Jio are welcoming Starlink to India. Is it a bid to get on Trump's good side? BharatNet 2.0: Expanding ground connectivity Scindia said the Modi government's Rs 1.39 lakh crore BharatNet 2.0 programme, which aimed to connect 2.5 lakh village panchayats and an additional 3.8 lakh villages on demand, would complement the space-based rollout. Key upgrades in the new phase include a shift from a linear to a ring topology, network downtime, and ensuring service redundancy. The project includes a 10-year OPEX (operating expenses) component alongside capital expenditure to ensure long-term sustainability. 'We have moved away from just CAPEX-focused design. Under the ring topology, even if one connection fails, the network reroutes itself. And with OPEX, maintenance becomes the service provider's responsibility,' he explained. 'BharatNet will now connect not just rural India to the nation but also to the world.' Operation Sindoor & national security On matters of national security, Scindia referenced recent military actions in Jammu and Kashmir under Operation Sindoor, asserting the prerogative to give a firm response to threats. 'Those who thought of wiping off the 'sindoor' of our sisters and mothers have been, themselves, wiped out,' he said, underscoring the assertive posture taken by the Modi government. India, he further said, had never believed in initiating conflict. 'But if innocent citizens are targets, the response to a brick will be with a stone,' he stated. Also Read: Musk's 'small man' spat with Polish minister bares widening US-Europe rift over Russia-Ukraine war Shashi Tharoor & 'India First' Doctrine Asked about the criticism of MP Shashi Tharoor within the Congress for his participation in an all-party delegation representing India abroad, Scindia said everyone should view the role of the delegation through the lens of national unity. 'Every person on that delegation went as an Indian. Difficulties arise when the country is not the priority. For some elements, their interests come first. In such cases, neither you nor I need to say anything—the people of India already have,' he said. Revival of BSNL & 5G roll-out Scindia credited the turnaround of BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) to the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, along with the hard work of the BSNL employees. According to Scindia, the installation of 93,000 4G towers, out of a target of 1,00,000, is already complete. Once stabilised, these towers, using the same software core, will be upgraded to 5 G. 'I take no personal credit. The Prime Minister showed the vision, and the BSNL family delivered,' he said. Meanwhile, as of 1 January this year, MTNL was fully merged into BSNL and will now function as a shell entity for debt resolution and asset management. 'Operationally, MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) is under BSNL. We will negotiate and settle its debt with banks,' he said. Spam calls, cybersecurity & consumer protection The Union minister also outlined ongoing efforts to curb cyber fraud, spam calls, and mobile misuse. Scindia highlighted the blocking of 1.3 crore spoof calls in a single day over the last few months, along with the deactivation of more than three crore fake mobile connections and 25–30 lakh WhatsApp-linked numbers suspected of misuse. He also reported the launch of a new telecom consumer portal and app to report stolen phones, SIM misuse, and cloned accounts. 'Our responsibility is to ensure both connectivity and safety. Technology must empower—not endanger—our citizens,' Scindia added. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: How should India respond to Trump tariff? Raghav Chadha has an idea involving Starlink
News18
8 hours ago
- News18
Govt Likely To Bring Impeachment Motion Against Justice Yashwant Varma In Parliament: Sources
Last Updated: Government sources told CNN-News18 that they would take opposition parties into confidence before taking any step against Justice Yashwant Varma The Union government is likely to bring in Parliament an impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court judge Yashwant Varma, who was indicted by a Supreme Court-appointed probe panel after the discovery of a huge sum of burnt cash from his official residence in the national capital. Government sources told CNN-News18 that they would speak to all opposition parties before taking any step against Justice Varma, who faced criticism from political parties across the spectrum. Sources within the government have indicated that an impeachment proceeding could be considered during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moving the motion. Verma was recently transferred from the Delhi High Court back to the Allahabad High Court following the controversy. According to sources, Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna had written to both the President and the Prime Minister recommending Justice Verma's impeachment, following an internal inquiry by a Supreme Court-appointed panel. While the inquiry reportedly indicted the judge, the panel's findings were not made public. CJI Khanna had also privately urged Justice Verma to resign, but he declined to do so, the sources said. An official, however, clarified that no formal proceedings have yet begun against the judge. Justice Verma has maintained his innocence and denied any involvement with the cash discovered after a fire at his outhouse. An impeachment motion against a judge can be introduced in either House of Parliament, but it must meet specific criteria to proceed. In the Rajya Sabha, the motion requires the backing of at least 50 members, while in the Lok Sabha, it needs the support of 100 members. If the motion secures a two-thirds majority in the House where it is introduced, the Speaker or the Chairman refers it to the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The CJI then nominates a sitting Supreme Court judge and a Chief Justice of a High Court to form part of a three-member investigation committee. The government nominates the third member—an 'eminent jurist"—to complete the panel. According to government sources, the motion will include findings from the committee that looked into the incident involving bundles of half-burnt cash discovered at the judge's residence during his tenure with the Delhi High Court. The government is expected to seek consensus across party lines and will consult the opposition before finalising the draft motion.
