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BharatNet PPP

Posted on October 22, 2021 by admin1  368

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BharatNet 

  • BharatNet project originally aimed to provide broadband services at 100 Mbps to around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats of the country.
  • Aim: To provide on-demand, affordable broadband connectivity of 2 Mbps to 20 Mbps for all households of India especially in rural areas.
  • Implementing Agency: The project is being implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
  • Funding: The entire project is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was set up for improving telecom services in rural and remote areas of the country.
  • Importance: 
    • It is a highly scalable network infrastructure accessible on a non-discriminatory basis.
    • It is the world’s largest rural connectivity scheme to be connected by the Optical Fibre network.
    • States are contributing free Rights of Way for establishing the Optical Fibre Network.
  • Support: Central Public Sector in Undertakings (CPSUs) BSNL, RailTel, and PGCIL are providing the optical fibre network for broadband connections for the BharatNet project.
  • Benefits:
  • The BharatNet project would reduce the cost of broadband services in India.
  • The project would have advantages like easy maintenance, faster implementation, and utilization of the present power line infrastructure.
  • It would provide internet connectivity to citizens especially in rural areas via Wi-Fi Hotspots.
  • It would provide a boost to the economy and would generate around 10 crore man-days of employment during the rollout of the project.
  • It will help in the expedition of government’s initiatives such as Make In India, Start-up India, Stand-up India etc,

Significance of BharatNet PPP

  • Enhanced Efficiency: It will leverage Private Sector efficiency for operation, maintenance, utilization and revenue generation and is expected to result in the faster rollout of BharatNet. 
  • Better access of e-services: Extension of reach of BharatNet to all inhabited villages with reliable, quality, high-speed broadband will enable better access of e-services offered by various Central and State Government agencies.  
  • Augmenting Applications: It will also enable online education, telemedicine, skill development, e-commerce and other applications of broadband. 
  • Increased Revenue: It is expected that revenue will be generated from different sources including the proliferation of broadband connections to individuals & institutions, sale of dark fibre, Fiberization of mobile towers, e-commerce etc.
  • Benefits for Rural Areas: The proliferation of broadband in rural areas will bridge the rural-urban divide of digital access, accelerate the achievement of Digital India, increase direct and indirect employment and income generation. 
  • Consumer-friendly advantages:
    • Use of innovative technology by the Private Sector Provider for the consumers;
    • High quality of service and Service Level to consumers;
    • Faster deployment of network and quick connectivity to consumers;
    • Competitive tariffs for services;
    • Variety of services on high-speed broadband  including Over top (OTT) services and multi-media services as part of packages offered to consumers
    • Access to all online services.
    • Better quality of service, 
    • Enhanced consumer experience and 
    • leverage private sector expertise, entrepreneurship and capacities for accelerating the achievement of digital India.  
    • Substantial savings of public money.

Way Ahead

  • The PPP Model in this critical infrastructure of Telecom is a novel initiative.
  • The States where PPP Model is envisaged will facilitate the free Right of Way. 
  • The Private Sector Partner is expected to bring an equity investment and raise resources towards capital expenditure and for operation and maintenance of the network.

Source: IE

 
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