Lok Sabha Question No. 3361 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-23
Subject: Optical Fibre Network Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajiv Pratap Rudy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3361 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD  MARCH, 2022

## OPTICAL FIBRE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY

## 3361. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that an optical fibre network connectivity has been launched across the country and if so, the details thereof with the investments made;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the regular services of optical fibre network are not maintained at the  village  and  panchayat  level  and  if  so,  the  details  of  connectivity  provision  and  utilisation thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that there has been low utilisation of the optical fibre network and if so, the details thereof with the State/UT-wise utilisation and mechanism of monitoring; and
- (d) whether it is a fact that there has been a drop in State-wise revenue collection on the optical fibre network and if so, the details thereof with the steps taken/being taken?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country through an optimal mix of media (OFC/ Radio/ Satellite). As on 28.02.2022, total 5,67,941 km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid. Total 1,72,361 GPs (1,68,010 GPs on OFC and 4,351 GPs on satellite) have been made Service Ready in  the  country.  As  on  31.12.2021,  total  Rs.  27,582.7  Crore  has  been  disbursed/utilised  under BharatNet Project. The scope of BharatNet has been recently extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.
- (b) to (d) BharatNet  network  is  monitored  through  centralised  Network  Operating  Centre (NOC) and its reports are being monitored on a regular basis. Further, for real-time monitoring, a Mobile App has been developed. This is a GIS based monitoring system for capturing monitoring data  at  field  level  with  smartphones.  Work  of  maintenance  (i.e.  O&M  of  incremental  OFC network, First Line Maintenance of equipment and supporting infrastructure) is being carried out presently  by  CSC  e-Governance  Services  India  Limited  (a  SPV  under  MeitY,  Government  of India)  in  about  1.20  lakh  GPs  of  the  BharatNet  Phase-I.  For  the  Phase-II  of  BharatNet,  the respective, Implementing Agencies are responsible for the maintenance of the network.

The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a nondiscriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized for provisioning of broadband/internet  services  through  Wi-Fi  Hotspots,  Fibre  to  the  Home  (FTTH)  connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers, etc.  As of 28.02.2022, Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed in 1,04,288 GPs, 2,13,834 Fibre to the Home broadband connections are provided, 36,333 km Dark Fibre is leased  and  4,038 Gbps bandwidth has been leased using BharatNet network.

With the above steps taken for maintenance and utilization of the BharatNet network, there has been an upward trend in the revenue collection, in the country.

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