Question : Phase I and II of BharatNet

(a) the details of Gram Panchayats (GP) and Blocks the Union Government has proposed to cover under Phase I and Phase II of BharatNet project in Maharashtra and Odisha;

(b) the details of GP and Blocks so far covered under the said programme;

(c) the details of broadband connections working and provided with infrastructures to provide high speed broadband connectivity in Maharashtra and Odisha as on date and the action taken/being taken for providing Broadband facility to all GPs under the said programme;

(d) the details of percentage of utilisation of Phase I of the BharatNet project in the country particularly in Maharashtra and Odisha;

(e) whether the Union Government proposes to provide Wi-Fi technology under the BharatNet project so the internet facilities is provided in rural areas in the country particularly in Maharashtra and Odisha; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. In the States of Maharashtra and Odisha, Phase-II of the Project is being implemented by the State Government.

In Maharashtra, the Phase-I was implemented through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and in Odisha, the Phase-I was implemented through Powergrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL).

The details of Gram Panchayats (GP) and Blocks proposed and covered under Phase-I and Phase-II of BharatNet Project in Maharashtra and Odisha are Annexed.

(c) to (f) 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 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. The steps taken for providing broadband facility are given below:
(i) Under BharatNet Phase-I, work has been awarded for providing Wi-Fi Services in about 1.20 lakh GPs (including that of Maharashtra and Odisha) with funding from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Out of the aforesaid GPs, provisioning of FTTH connections to 5 Government Institutions per GP is also included in 77,000 (approx.) GPs. The percentage of utilization of Phase-I in Maharashtra and Odisha is 87% and 72% respectively.
(ii) BharatNet Phase-II in Maharashtra and Odisha is being implemented by the State Governments, which are also responsible for its utilization. However, no Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed under Phase-II so far.
(iii) In Maharashtra, 19,262 FTTH connections have been provided and Wi-Fi hotspots are installed in 11,014 GPs. In Odisha, 8,611 FTTH connections have been provided and Wi-Fi hotspots are installed in 2,511 GPs.
(iv) Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) has signed 50 Agreements with Service Providers for providing broadband services across various States (including 10 Agreements for Maharashtra and 1 Agreement for Odisha) by utilizing BharatNet Phase-I network. Further, 2 Agreements have been signed with Service Providers for providing services on an All India basis (including Maharashtra and Odisha).