The BharatNet project is India’s largest rural connectivity initiative, designed to bring high-speed broadband to the heart of the country—its villages. Launched by the Government of India, the program aims to provide broadband access to all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs), using a mix of optical fibre, satellite, and radio technologies. With over 2.18 lakh GPs already service-ready as of March 2025, BharatNet is poised to transform rural development at scale.
This initiative is not just about internet access—it is about unlocking new possibilities for millions. Whether it’s a student attending a digital classroom in a remote village or a small entrepreneur exploring e-commerce, BharatNet lays the foundation for inclusion, innovation, and opportunity.
A Multi-Phase Push for Last-Mile Connectivity
BharatNet has evolved through three distinct phases. The first phase, completed in 2017, connected 1 lakh Gram Panchayats using existing optical fibre infrastructure. Phase II is ongoing, targeting an additional 1.5 lakh GPs through a mix of fibre and wireless technologies, in collaboration with state and private sector partners.
The current focus is on Phase III, which aims to future-proof the network. The newly approved Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) of August 2023 introduces a more robust ring topology and upgrades to IP-MPLS-based infrastructure, with an investment of ₹1.39 lakh crore. The goal: ensure reliability, enable 5G-readiness, and support real-time rural applications such as telemedicine and digital governance.
Impact on SMEs, Education, and Rural Livelihoods
BharatNet’s benefits extend well beyond connectivity. Small businesses in rural India now have the infrastructure to tap into digital markets, access financial platforms, and engage in digital skilling. As of early 2025, over 12.2 lakh Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections and more than 1 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots have been deployed under the initiative.
The project’s linkage with schemes like PMGDISHA (which has trained over 6.39 crore individuals in digital literacy) and collaboration with NABARD further enhance its socio-economic value. Through BharatNet, healthcare centres are being digitally enabled, schools are accessing virtual learning content, and local governance is becoming more efficient.
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Strategic Partnerships and Rural Empowerment
A Special Purpose Vehicle, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), oversees BharatNet’s rollout, while BSNL has taken over operations and maintenance responsibilities under ABP. For last-mile delivery, CSC e-Governance Services is playing a key role, offering both Wi-Fi and FTTH services in Panchayats.
Additionally, the partnership between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and NABARD aims to align connectivity with economic development. This collaboration enables data-sharing, localised content delivery, and capacity-building to empower local communities.
Looking Ahead: Enabling India’s Rural Digital Future
BharatNet is more than infrastructure—it is a catalyst for rural transformation. By connecting India’s remotest corners, it empowers citizens with access to digital services, enhances economic resilience, and brings governance closer to the people.
For India’s MSME sector, the implications are profound. Digital access means better market linkages, smoother logistics, easier compliance, and scalable business models. As BharatNet continues to expand, it is creating the digital roads that will carry rural India into the future.