BharatNet Scheme – The internet has become essential for everyone today. However, rural areas in India still lack proper internet connectivity. To address this issue, the Government of India has introduced the BharatNet Scheme, which aims to provide affordable internet connectivity to these areas. In this article, you will find all the essential information about the BharatNet scheme, including its objectives, benefits, features, eligibility requirements, necessary documents, and the application process. If you want to know everything about this scheme, make sure to read this article thoroughly till the end.
About the BharatNet Scheme 2025
The BharatNet Scheme, launched as part of the Digital India initiative, aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity in rural regions at very affordable rates. This connectivity will be established using optical fiber, making BharatNet the world’s largest rural broadband project. Under this initiative, citizens residing in rural and remote areas will gain access to broadband services at reasonable prices. By 2025, approximately 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and 6 lakh villages across the country will be connected through this scheme. Additionally, the scheme ensures that business-to-business (B2B) services are provided equitably. The BharatNet Scheme aspires to transform India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge-driven economy.
Details of the BharatNet Scheme
| Name of the Scheme | BharatNet Scheme |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Beneficiary | Rural Citizens of India |
| Objective | To Provide Internet Connectivity |
| Official Website | bbnl.nic.in |
| Year | 2025 |
IIT Bombay’s Planning Tool
Effective planning is crucial for the successful implementation of any project. IIT Bombay has developed a planning tool for the BharatNet Scheme, which will help design the fiber topology for gram panchayats, in addition to using wireless and satellite links when necessary. This tool will ensure that the technology used is feasible and that the network topology is sustainable.
Services Offered by BharatNet
The BharatNet project connects various service providers like telecommunication service providers (TSPs), internet service providers (ISPs), multi-system operators (MSOs), local cable operators (LCOs), and government entities to extend services from blocks to gram panchayats. The project serves as a middle-mile network, facilitating the following services:
Bandwidth
BharatNet offers both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint bandwidth using GPON technology. Service providers and government entities can link to BharatNet at the block level and deliver services to the gram panchayat level utilizing their own technology. Bandwidth is provided at competitive and attractive prices to encourage a robust digital ecosystem.
Dark Fibre
Service providers can also make use of dark fiber installed by BBNL along the new cabling between blocks and gram panchayats. This newly laid fiber, referred to as incremental cable, connects the fiber points of interconnect to gram panchayats. Dark fiber is offered at an attractive rate of Rs 2250 per fiber per km per year in 15,000 gram panchayats.
BharatNet Tariff
Below are the tariff details for BharatNet bandwidth from blocks to gram panchayats:
- Asymmetric Bandwidth
| Asymmetric Bandwidth (Mbps) | Annual Tariff (Rs) |
| Up to 10 | Rs 700 per Mbps |
| 10 | Rs 7000 |
| 100 | Rs 38000 |
| 200 | Rs 56000 |
| 300 | Rs 74000 |
| 400 | Rs 92000 |
| 500 | Rs 110000 |
| 1000 | Rs 200000 |
- Symmetric Bandwidth
| Serial Number | Symmetric Bandwidth (Mbps) | Annual Tariff (Rs) |
| 1. | Up to 10 | Rs 1000 per Mbps |
| 2. | 10 | 10000 |
| 3. | 100 | 50000 |
Broadband Connection for 16 States Under BharatNet Scheme
On June 29, 2024, the cabinet approved the implementation strategy for the BharatNet scheme via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This will provide broadband connections to villages across 16 states, including Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Government of India has allocated Rs 19041 crore for this initiative, which is expected to cover around 3.61 lakh villages at an overall expense of Rs 29432 crore.
Private Sector Involvement in BharatNet
On August 15, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that within the next 1000 days, broadband services would be provided to 6 lakh villages across the country. Following this announcement, it was decided to include private companies in the BharatNet initiative, aiming to cover 2.5 lakh gram panchayats under this scheme. So far, 1.56 lakh gram panchayats have been connected, and the government plans to cover all notified villages in the mentioned 16 states, with further expansion expected soon.
Objectives of the BharatNet Scheme
The main goal of the BharatNet Scheme is to facilitate internet access in rural and remote areas. This initiative will enable families in rural regions to use broadband services, thus improving their living standards. It will also enhance transparency in governance, allowing students in these areas to attend online classes, ultimately contributing to their academic success.
Benefits and Features of the BharatNet Scheme
- Initiated by the Government of India
- Part of the Digital India program
- Provides high-speed internet connectivity at affordable prices in rural areas
- Utilizes optical fiber technology
- Largest rural broadband project globally
- Aims to deliver broadband services to remote areas
- Covers around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and 6 lakh villages by 2025
- Ensures non-discriminatory B2B services
- Aims to create a digitally empowered society and knowledgeable economy
- Establishes internet connectivity infrastructure for gram panchayats
How to Apply for BharatNet Connectivity as a Service Provider
To apply for connectivity through BharatNet, follow these steps:
Step 1
- Download the application form for BharatNet bandwidth or dark fiber from the official website by clicking here.
- Fill out the application form with relevant details about your company.
- Ensure the form is signed by the authorized signatory.
- A single application is needed for connectivity requests within one state or union territory.
- Attach the following documents to the application:
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) & Articles of Association (AOA)/ Company License
- GST Certificate
- Company PAN Card
- Letter of authorization for the authorized signatory
- ID proof of the authorized signatory
Step 2
- Send the completed application form and scanned copies of documents to commercial@bbnlindia.in for expedited processing.
- Mail hard copies of the documents to:
- The Commercial Division,
- O/o Sr. GM (Services & Marketing),
- BBNL Corporate Office,
- 7th Floor, Block-III, DMRC building, IT Park,
- Shastri Park, New Delhi – 110053
Step 3
- Upon receipt of the application, BBNL will issue a demand note for payment.
- Payment can be made by demand draft or pay order addressed to the BBNL collection account in New Delhi.
- Online payments can also be made via NEFT/RTGS/IMPS using the following details:
- Customer Name: BBNL COLLECTION ACCOUNT
- Account No: 1098214000029
- Bank Name: CANARA BANK
- IFSC CODE: CNRB0001098
- MICR CODE: 110015025
- After payment, send the transaction details to commercial@bbnlindia.in and managerbbnl@gmail.com.
- After validation, the provisioning will commence, and the billing cycle will start once connected.
- This is the procedure to apply for BharatNet connectivity.
Note – Customers can directly approach service providers for wifi or broadband connectivity.
Viewing BharatNet Scheme Tariff Details
- Go to the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Customer Services”.
- Select “BharatNet Tariff”.
- You will be directed to a new page showing the BharatNet tariff details.
Feedback
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Feedback” on the homepage.
- Fill out the feedback form with the required information and submit it.
Downloading Important Forms
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Customer Services”.
- Select “Forms and Downloads”.
- Select the application you wish to download.
Downloading the Citizen Charter
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Customer Services”.
- Select “Citizen Charter”.
- The Citizen Charter should now appear in PDF format for download.
How to Download Important Documents
- Go to the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Customer Services”.
- Select “Documents”.
- Select the document you wish to download, and it will appear in PDF format.
Procedure to Download Tender Notices
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Procurement”.
- Select “Tender Notices”.
- A list of tender notices will appear; click the one you prefer to download.
Viewing Purchase Orders
- Go to the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Procurement”.
- Select “Purchase Orders”.
- Select the purchase order of your choice from the displayed list.
Viewing Procurement Projections
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Procurement”.
- Select “Procurement Projection”.
- Click on “Expected Forecast for Procurement against BharatNet project” to view projections.
List of Services Available at Gram Panchayat
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Services”.
- Click on “List of Services Ready GP”.
- Select your state, district, and block to view the list of services available.
Know About Your Fibre
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Services”.
- Select “Block-wise Line Diagrams for BharatNet and BBNL Dark Fibre”.
- Select your state, district, and block to see detailed information.
Procedure to View the List of Gram Panchayats with BBNL Fibre
- Visit the official website of Bharat Broadband Network Limited.
- Click on “Services”.
- Select “List of Gram Panchayats where BBNL fibre is available”.
- A new page will present all relevant details.
Contact Details
This article has provided valuable information regarding the BharatNet scheme. If you require further assistance, you can reach out via the helpline or email for support. Here are the contact details:
- Address: 3rd Floor, Office Block–1, East Kidwai Nagar, New Delhi – 110023
- Phone: 011-24668400
- Fax: 011-24668400
- Email: contact.bbnl@nic.in, feedback.bbnl@nic.in
- Contact Details of BBNL Officials: Click Here