Government Schemes and Missions for Broadband Connectivity
Broadband connectivity schemes in India are designed to extend reliable digital infrastructure beyond cities and into villages, border areas, islands, and other difficult terrains. These initiatives support e-governance, online education, public services, and wider digital inclusion.
Core Rural and National Broadband Projects
BharatNet is one of the world’s largest rural telecom projects and aims to connect all Gram Panchayats with high-speed optical fiber networks. It is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle under the Department of Telecommunications.
- Funding mechanism: The project is financed through Digital Bharat Nidhi, earlier known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund.
- Network design: The amended programme uses an IP-MPLS ring-based architecture to improve redundancy, reliability, and scalability.
- Use cases: It is meant to strengthen local e-governance, e-education, and other digital services at the village level.
National Broadband Mission was launched to operationalize broadband for all by creating universal, affordable, and high-quality digital communications infrastructure.
- Digital fibre map: The mission seeks to create a comprehensive map of optical fiber cables and telecom towers across the country.
- Right of Way coordination: It works with states and union territories to streamline approvals for faster infrastructure rollout.
- Monitoring: Implementation is tracked through a dedicated Broadband Readiness Index for states and union territories.
Public Wi-Fi and Last-Mile Access
PM-WANI or Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface promotes the spread of public Wi-Fi hotspots through small retail shops and local establishments. The framework is designed to encourage grassroots entrepreneurship by removing licensing fees, registration requirements, and regulatory dues for Public Data Offices.
- Four-layer ecosystem: The model includes Public Data Offices, Public Data Office Aggregators, App Providers, and a Central Registry.
- Central registry: The Centre for Development of Telematics maintains the registry for authenticating network providers and applications.
- Business model: The framework follows a market-led, self-sustainable approach for public Wi-Fi expansion.
Specialized Regional and Submarine Connectivity Projects
The Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan focuses on extending mobile and broadband coverage to remote, border, Left Wing Extremism-affected, and aspirational districts.
- Target areas: The plan is meant for regions where conventional telecom rollout is difficult.
- Connectivity support: It complements other efforts to improve last-mile access in underserved locations.
India has also developed submarine optical fiber cable projects to connect the mainland with island territories.
- Examples: The Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands link and the Kochi-Lakshadweep connection are key projects.
- Satellite support: The programme also integrates satellite communication through collaboration with the Department of Space for inaccessible terrain.
Institutional and Legal Framework
- Bharat Broadband Network Limited: Incorporated in 2012 under the Companies Act.
- Centre for Development of Telematics: Established in 1984 as an autonomous telecom research and development centre.
- Payment and Settlement Systems Act: Enacted in 2007.
- Telecommunications Act, 2023: Modernizes the legal framework for spectrum assignment and telecom infrastructure deployment.
| Scheme / Initiative | Implementing Agency | Primary Objective | Funding / Mechanism |
| BharatNet | Bharat Broadband Network Limited | Optical fiber connectivity for Gram Panchayats | Digital Bharat Nidhi |
| National Broadband Mission | Department of Telecommunications | Universal, high-speed broadband and tower fiberization | Public-private partnerships and central outlays |
| PM-WANI | Centre for Development of Telematics | Expansion of public Wi-Fi hotspots through micro-entrepreneurs | Market-led self-sustainable model |
Key Prelims Takeaways
- BharatNet is aimed at connecting all Gram Panchayats with high-speed optical fiber networks.
- BBNL is the implementing agency for BharatNet and functions under the Department of Telecommunications.
- Digital Bharat Nidhi is the renamed form of the Universal Service Obligation Fund.
- National Broadband Mission focuses on universal, affordable, and high-quality broadband infrastructure.
- Broadband Readiness Index is used to track mission implementation across states and union territories.
- PM-WANI promotes public Wi-Fi through Public Data Offices and related ecosystem partners.
- CTeD maintains the PM-WANI central registry.
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