BharatNet: Bridging India’s Rural Digital Divide

Why in News ?

The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development informed the Lok Sabha that the BharatNet Project is being implemented in a phased manner to ensure broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country.

Background and Context

Digital connectivity has become a critical enabler of inclusive growth, governance delivery, and economic participation. However, India’s rural and remote regions have historically faced limited access to high-speed internet due to geographical, economic, and infrastructural constraints.

Launched as part of the Digital India programme, BharatNet aims to address this gap by creating a nationwide optical fibre network reaching the grassroots level of governance. The project is central to enabling e-governance, telemedicine, online education, digital payments, and rural entrepreneurship.

What is the BharatNet Project ?

• Nature: Flagship rural broadband connectivity initiative of the Government of India
• Objective: Provide high-speed broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats
• Scale: Among the largest rural telecom projects in the world
• Core Principle: Create a non-discriminatory, open-access network for all telecom and internet service providers

Key Purpose

BharatNet is designed to provide unrestricted access to broadband infrastructure for:

• Mobile network operators
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
• Cable TV operators
• Content and service providers

This enables the rollout of services such as:

• E-health and telemedicine
• E-education and digital classrooms
• E-governance and digital public service delivery
• Rural BPOs and digital livelihoods

Institutional Framework and Implementation

• Executing Agency: Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL)
• Legal Status: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) incorporated in 2012 under the Companies Act, 1956
• Oversight: Ministry of Communications

Phased Implementation

• Phase I: Completed in 2017
• Phase II: Ongoing
• Phase III: Ongoing

Each phase focuses on expanding fibre reach, upgrading network quality, and improving service reliability.

What is the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) ? 

The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) introduces key design and operational improvements to enhance network resilience and service quality.

Key Features

• Optical Fibre Connectivity to 2.64 lakh Gram Panchayats using ring topology, ensuring redundancy and reduced downtime
• On-demand fibre connectivity to non-GP villages
• Deployment of IP-MPLS network with routers at Block and GP levels
• 10-year operation and maintenance provision
• Power backup systems for uninterrupted connectivity
• Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS) for real-time fault detection and maintenance

Significance of BharatNet

• Digital Inclusion: Bridges the rural–urban digital divide
• Governance Delivery: Strengthens last-mile e-governance and DBT frameworks
• Economic Empowerment: Supports rural startups, MSMEs, and digital services
• Social Development: Enables access to education, healthcare, and information
• Infrastructure Backbone: Acts as the foundation for 5G backhaul and future digital services in rural areas

Challenges and Way Forward

• Delays in execution due to terrain, coordination issues, and right-of-way constraints
• Need for last-mile connectivity beyond Gram Panchayats
• Ensuring service quality, sustainability, and effective utilisation

Greater involvement of States, local bodies, and private service providers will be key to unlocking BharatNet’s full potential.