Union Govt approves a project National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project

Union Government approved a project for creation of NOFN (National Optical Fibre Network) that will help in connecting all the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India via Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).

• Contribution of Union Govt via Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
• Contribution of Union Govts via furnishing of free Right of Way (RoW) for setting OFC.
• Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) for the implementation of NOFN.
• A tripartite MoU for free Right of Way (RoW) among Central Government, State Government and BBNL.
• All the 16 States/UTs have given consent for free RoW.

Total 1,40,727 GPs will get covered by Optical Fibre Network in these States and UTs.

With the accessibility of NOFN at 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats a minimal bandwidth of 100 Mbps will be useable at each of GP and will contribute to development of broadband services.

What will be the benefits to States?

• Empowerment of rural masses by giving them access to information, public services including those of education, health and financial inclusion.
• Several applications for Panchayats for planning, management, monitoring and payments under various government schemes (e.g. MNREGA, PDS, Land Records, Birth/Death Certificates, Digital Literacy, etc.), e-Governance, education, health, employment, agriculture and commerce may be launched using this network
• Introduction of local employment, revenue generation and increase of GDP contributing to overall successfulness of the State