Cabinet approves BharatNet optical fibre connection for these 16 states – Times of India

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded approval for revised implementation strategy of BharatNet through Public Private Partnership mode in 16 States of the country. The states covered under the Cabinet approval today are Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
An estimated 3.61 lakh villages including Gram Panchayats will be covered. The estimated maximum viability gap funding approved for the PPP model is Rs 19,041 crores.
BharatNet will now extend upto all inhabited villages beyond Gram Panchayats (GPs), in the said states. The revised strategy also includes creation, upgradation, operation, maintenance and utilization of BharatNet by the concessionaire who will be selected by a competitive international bidding process.
The PPP Model will leverage Private Sector efficiency for operation, maintenance, utilization and revenue generation and is expected to result in faster roll out of BharatNet.
“The selected concessionaire (Private Sector Partner) is expected to provide reliable, high speed broadband services as per pre-defined Services Level Agreement (SLA). Extension of reach of BharatNet to all inhabited villages with reliable, quality, high speed broadband will enable better access of e-services offered by various Central and State Government agencies,” said the government.
It is expected that revenue will be generated from different sources including proliferation of broadband connections to individuals and institutions, sale of dark fibre, Fiberization of mobile towers, e-commerce etc.