Lok Sabha Question No. 2440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: National Optical Fibre Network Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Kuruva Gorantla Madhav, Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Margani Bharat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2440 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15 TH  MARCH, 2023

## NATIONAL OPTICAL FIBRE NETWORK PROJECT

## 2440.   SHRI KURUVA GORANTLA MADHAV: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI MARGANI BHARAT:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the targets, completion timeline and current status of implementation of the National Optical Fibre Network Project in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) the  details  of  the  service  providers  that  have  signed  up  in  Andhra  Pradesh  to  access  the National Optical Fibre Network Project;
- (c) the details of the steps taken to ensure optimum use of broadband and wifi-services especially in rural areas;
- (d) whether the Government has formulated any contingency plans to ensure timely repairs in case of breakage in the network line due to environmental or man-made causes; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) BharatNet project (earlier known as National Optical Fibre Project) is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the country including Andhra Pradesh. The scope is now extended to connect all villages of the country, which are more than 6 lakh. Under Phase-I, in Andhra Pradesh, all of the planned 1681 GPs have been made service ready. The Phase-II of BharatNet is being implemented under the State-led model by Andhra Pradesh State FibreNet Limited (APSFL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of State Government and, 3513 GPs out of the 11,254 planned GPs have been made service ready. Further, 12 GPs out of 20  planned  GPs  have  been  made  service  ready  through  Satellite  connectivity.  The  timeline  for completion of BharatNet project is 2025.

(b) & (c) The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized to provide broadband and  wifi  services  in  rural  areas.  A  revenue  sharing  agreement  with  APSFL  for  utilization  of BharatNet Phase-I infrastructure has been signed. Further, high speed Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections  are  being  provided  by  BSNL  under  the  BharatNet  Udyami  scheme  on  the  Phase-I infrastructure. For BharatNet Phase-II, being implemented in State-led model, State government is responsible for utilization of BharatNet.

(d) & (e) BharatNet  network  is  monitored  through  centralized  Network  Operating  Centre (NOC) to ensure timely repairs of fibre cut and equipment faults. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) based Operations and Maintenance (O&M) for BharatNet Phase-I has been entrusted to Bharat Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  through  professional  agencies.  For  the  O&M  of  Phase-II  of BharatNet, the respective Implementing Agencies are responsible for maintenance of the network.

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