Gujarat Connects 8K Villages with High-Speed Internet

Gandhinagar : The Gujarat goverment has successfully installed a high-speed network of up to 100 Mbps in 8,036 Gram Panchayats as part of BharatNet Phase-2, providing each Gram Panchayat with 12 fiber connections. This initiative has achieved seamless vertical alignment between the BharatNet network and the Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN) at 300 locations across the state. Notably, before BharatNet, the network speed per Gram Panchayat in the state was just 100 Kbps, which has now been upgraded to 100 Mbps.

Aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India, the Central Government launched the National Optical Fiber Network on 25 October 2011, which was later rebranded as the BharatNet Project in 2015 to extend Internet access to rural areas. To ensure the successful implementation of the second phase of BharatNet, the Government of Gujarat established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named Gujarat Fiber Grid Network Limited (GFGNL). Through this initiative, over 35,000 KM of optical fiber network has been installed across 22 districts in the state.

The Socio-Economic Benefits of BharatNet

– The Digital Seva Setu platform, leveraging the BharatNet Phase-II network, has provided 321 services to approximately 1.57 crore rural residents.

– By enhancing horizontal connectivity, a Village Local Area Network (V-LAN) has been established in 7,340 schools, 587 village health Centers, and 372 Police Stations at the Gram Panchayat level.

– Public Wi-Fi has been introduced in 7,692 villages, fostering digital inclusion. The number of registered Wi-Fi users has reached 3,68,443.

– BharatNet Phase-II network also supports 50 iconic locations, such as Mahatma Mandir, Dholera SIR, Science City, GIDCs, and the Statue of Unity. Additionally, the BharatNet network supports live broadcasts of over 200 government programs, including Prime Minister and Chief Minister events.

– Access to E-learning platforms and virtual classrooms has significantly enhanced the education sector.

Optimal Utilization of BharatNet Phase-2 in the Telecom Sector and RailTel

The BharatNet Phase-2 network has significantly strengthened the telecom sector. To enhance digital connectivity across the state and uplift rural communities, more than 16,000 km of dark fiber has been leased to telecom service providers and various industry partners. In the past four months, fiberization of 140 mobile towers, including 60 towers, has been completed. Additionally, affordable FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home) services are being provided through a revenue-sharing partnership with RailTel. Using leased fiber, over 90 thousand FTTH connections and more than 1.6 lakh cable TV connections have been established.

What is BharatNet Project?

The BharatNet project is the largest broadband initiative globally, aimed at delivering high-speed internet to rural areas. As a full ‘Make in India’ initiative, it highlights the government’s commitment to advancing Digital India. Gujarat Fiber Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) envisions building a world-class optical fiber network that provides high-quality and reliable connectivity to rural communities. This initiative seeks to make internet access universally available and drive economic development across the state.