Bharat Net

Subject: Economy

Context:

The consumption of mobile and broadband data in rural India under the BharatNet scheme more than doubled in last three months compared to the preceding three months from January to March 2020.

Concept:

• BharatNet is planned to connect all the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats in the country for providing broadband connectivity in the Gram Panchayats.
• The project has been approved by Union Cabinet on 2011. The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which has been incorporated on 25.02.2012 under Indian Companies Act 1956.
• In 2016, Telecom Commission approved to implement the project in phases:
• PhaseI: The target of completing 1,00,000 GPs under phase-I of BharatNet was achieved in December 2017.
• Phase ll: BharatNet Phase-II is planned to connect the remaining 1,50,000GPs,using an optimal mix of media, by 31 Mar, 2019. Phase II is being implemented through three models – state-led model, CPSU model, and private sector model.
• Further, provision has been made for Last Mile Connectivity in all 2,50,000 GPs through viability gap funding.
• Every GP shall have on an average five WiFi Access Points (APs), including 3 APs (on average) for public institutions such as educational centres, health centres, post offices, police stations, etc. A tender for provisioning of WiFi services has been floated by BBNL, after consultation with TSPs and ISPs, for wider participation.
• A lump sum amount is allocated and disbursed from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) to BBNL for implementation of BharatNet. USOF’s task is to make sure that people in rural areas have access to telecom connectivity at an affordable and reasonable rate. It was established in 2002.