Lok Sabha Question No. 1497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-28
Subject: Utilization of Optical Fibre Network
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal, Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1497 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th   JULY, 2021

## UTILIZATION OF OPTICAL FIBRE NETWORK

## 1497.   DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL: DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  utilization  of  large  and  high  capacity  optical  fibre  network  laid  down  under BharatNet project is not optimum and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the remedial steps taken by the Government to prevent under utilisation of the said infrastructure;
- (b) whether the steps taken by the Government to ensure optimum utilisation of optical fibre network have yielded any outcomes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  efforts  to  improve  internet  speed  and  quality  in view of poor performance of the country in the global mobile internet speed ranking and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) with broadband in the country. The scope of BharatNet has  been  recently  extended  upto  all  inhabited  villages  beyond  GPs.  The  infrastructure  created under BharatNet is accessible on non-discriminatory basis to all Service Providers. These Service Providers  may  utilize  the  BharatNet  network  for  provisioning  of  broadband/internet  services through Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased line, backhaul to mobile towers, etc.

Further,  the  following  steps  have  been  taken  to  increase  the  utilization  of  BharatNet network in Country:

-  As  proper  functioning  of  Network  is  required  for  its  effective  utilization,  the network is being monitored through Network Operating Centre (NOC) and its reports are being  monitored  on  a  regular  basis.  Since  01.07.2019,  the  work  of  Operations  & Maintenance of the BharatNet Phase-I is being carried out by CSC e-Governance Services India  Limited  (a  Special  Purpose  Vehicle  under  Ministry  of  Electronics  &  Information Technology).
-  The provisioning of Wi-Fi Services in about 1.10 lakh GPs has been assigned to CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (a Special Purpose Vehicle under Ministry of Electronics  &  Information  Technology),  and  in  about  10,000  GPs  to  Government  of Rajasthan/Raj COMP Info Services Ltd. (RISL), etc. Out of the aforesaid GPs assigned to CSC  e-Governance  Services  India  Limited  (CSC-SPV),  it  is  also  providing  FTTH connections to 5 Government Institutions per GP in 77,000 (approx.) GPs.

-  CSC-SPV  has  also  been  assigned  to  provide  one  Wi-Fi  hotspot  and  5  FTTH connections in each of about 39,000 villages (including GPs) of Bihar.
-  Under State-led model of BharatNet Phase-II, the States are made responsible for utilization of the BharatNet Network.
-  BharatNet infrastructure is leased to all Services Providers on non-discriminatory manner for provision of Broadband connectivity in GPs/rural areas by Bharat Broadband Network  Limited  (BBNL).  The  dark  fibre  and  bandwidth  of  BharatNet  is  offered  at attractive rates to the Service Providers.

Over the last two  years  (i.e.  from  21.06.19  to  09.07.2021),  utilization  of  BharatNet  has increased  substantially.  For  example,  GPs  with  installed  Wi-Fi  hotspots  have  increased  from 43,643 to 1,04,310, FTTH connections have increased from 29,335 to 5,10,730, data usage per month has increased from 78.53 TB to 3,747 TB and leasing of Dark Fibre has increased from 1,829 km to 27,833 km, through BharatNet.

(c) The  Union  Cabinet,  on 30.06.2021  accorded  approval for a revised strategy for implementation of BharatNet through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in 16 States which will harness private sector capabilities for execution, maintenance and utilization of network for delivery of services.

Under National Broadband Mission (NBM), various initiatives, including Fiberisation of Towers,  Increase  in  Tower  Density  and  Increase  of  laying  of  Optical  Fiber  are  being  taken  to enhance broadband speed and Quality of Service.

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