New Delhi: As part of the BharatNet project, the Union Cabinet has approved an initiative for last-mile broadband connectivity in 6.4 lakh villages across the nation. Sources reveal that the project has successfully connected approximately 1.94 lakh villages so far, with the remaining villages expected to be connected within the next two and a half years.
In a meeting held on Friday evening, the Cabinet approved a budget of Rs 1.39 lakh crore for providing optical fibre-based connectivity to homes in all villages of the country.
Bharat Broadband Network Limited and Village-level Entrepreneurs Collaborate for BharatNet Project
Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a subsidiary of the state-owned BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited), and village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs) have collaborated for the last-mile connectivity for the BharatNet project.
The collaborative efforts of BBNL and VLE will ensure effective and efficient broadband connectivity reaching the grassroots level in the villages.
After the successful completion of a pilot project, the model to take fibre-to-the-home was finalized. Initially, the pilot project was carried out to connect villages in four districts and then expanded to 60,000 villages across the states.
According to sources, BBNL will provide the customer-premise equipment and additional fibre required for connecting homes and local entrepreneurs have been allotted the task of maintaining the network. Around 3,800 entrepreneurs were involved in the pilot project that was carried out for 60,000 villages and successfully provided 3.51 lakh broadband connections.
The broadband connection has empowered locals of rural areas to become digitally active and savvy. The project has helped locals to be able to avail digital services such as doctor consultation, tuitions, and some have started online businesses too. It is also expected that the project will create 2.5 lakh jobs in the country.
