BharatNet, one of the largest broadband connectivity projects globally run by the Indian government, has enabled BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) and ISPs to install 11.97 lakh FTTH connections. FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) connections are important for reliable and high-speed internet connectivity to enable IoT (Internet of Things) use cases and more. BSNL was merged with BBNL (Bharat Broadband Network Limited), which enabled BSNL to get access to the fiber infrastructure laid by BBNL under the BharatNet project.
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According to a recent statement from the Ministry of Communications, BSNL and ISPs have installed over 11.97 lakh FTTH connections using the fiber infrastructure of BharatNet.
"A total of 11,97,444 FTTH connections have been installed by BSNL and other internet service providers (ISPs) using BharatNet. Overall data usage on BharatNet is about 1,39,498 terabytes (TB) in October 2024," the ministry said in its year-end review statement. The ministry also confirmed that around 6,92,428 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid under the BharatNet project as of December 2024. The work under the phase-3 of the project is still ongoing and that will oversee the expansion of fiber and more homes getting connected with high-speed broadband connectivity across India.
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Because of the work under the project, a total of 2,14,313 GPs are service-ready. GPs here mean Gram Panchayats. The aim of the BharatNet project was simple, to connect the unconnected with high-speed broadband. This project is funded by the USOF (Universal Service Obligation Fund), which is now called Digital Bharat Nidhi.
BSNL and BBNL were merged so that the latter could take advantage of the expertise former had in laying and distributing fiber services. The project was supposed to be completed much earlier, regardless, the ongoing work would mean that more underpriviled and rural areas will be connected with high-speed fiber.
