BharatNet connects over 2.14l gram panchayats with broadband

New Delhi

BharatNet, the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity initiative, has successfully connected over 2.14 lakh gram panchayats across India, the government announced on Saturday. This milestone marks a significant step in the government’s effort to provide affordable high-speed internet access to rural areas.

Launched in October 2011, BharatNet aims to bridge the digital divide by empowering rural India and promoting inclusive growth. The project uses a combination of optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies to ensure widespread connectivity.

As of December 20, 2024, a total of 2,14,283 gram panchayats have been connected, with 6,92,299 km of optical fibre cable (OFC) laid. BharatNet offers broadband services in rural areas starting at just Rs 99 per month, providing affordable internet access to millions. The network also supports 1,37,967 TB of monthly internet data usage, alongside 11,60,367 Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections and 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots to enhance last-mile connectivity.

The project is being implemented in three phases. Phase I, completed in December 2017, focused on laying optical fibre cables to connect 1 lakh gram panchayats. Phase II expanded the network to 1.5 lakh more gram panchayats, incorporating collaborations with state governments and private entities. The ongoing third phase focuses on future-proofing the network with 5G integration and enhancing bandwidth capacity for improved connectivity.

BharatNet has had a transformative impact on rural India, providing digital inclusion, economic opportunities, and improving education, healthcare, and local governance.