BharatNet | Approval of Revised Implementation Strategy of ‘BharatNet’
Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved the revised implementation strategy of BharatNet through Public-Private Partnership model in 16 states.
- Under the revised strategy, BharatNet will now be extended to all populated villages apart from Gram Panchayats in these 16
- An estimated 81 lakh villages including gram panchayats will be covered under this.
- The revised strategy also includes construction, upgradation, operation, maintenance and use of BharatNet by the concessionaires (private sector partners) who will be selected through a competitive international bidding process.
- The efficiency of the private sector will be leveraged for operation, maintenance, utilization and revenue generation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. As a result, BharatNet service is expected to be received faster.
About BharatNet (erstwhile National Optical Fiber Network)
- It is a project of national importance to establish affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all households and on demand capacity of all institutions in partnership with the States and the private sector.
- Universal Service Obligation Fund as its funding source for this, a Universal Access Levy has been imposed on telecom operators.
- It will be implemented in three phases, with Phase I covering 1 Lakh Gram Panchayats, Phase II covering 5 Lakh Gram Panchayats and Phase III focusing on upgradation of existing infrastructure.
Source – The Hindu