NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved spending Rs 1.39 lakh crore for the next phase of Bharat Net, which will bring broadband connectivity to 6.4 lakh villages in the country. At present around 1.94 lakh villages have been connected under the Bharat Net scheme and the scheme is being implemented with an aim to bring the remaining villages to digital connectivity within two and a half years. The central government also says that 2.5 lakh jobs will be created in the country through the project.

Ring topology

Communication, Electronic and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the aim is to reach 6.4 lakh villages through the ring topology system. With this, internet facility will be available even in remote areas of the country.

The project is being implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a subsidiary of public sector telecom company BSNL, with the help of entrepreneurs at the village level.

The scheme was implemented on a pilot basis through 3,800 enterprises in 60,000 villages. 3.51 lakh broadband connections were provided. An average of 175 gigabytes of data consumption per month was recorded on these connections. With the success of the experiment, the government decided to bring Bharat Net connection to more parts.

Revenue will be shared

The project is being implemented on a 50 percent revenue sharing basis between BSNL and rural enterprises. The monthly broadband plan price starts from Rs.399. Government sources said that 37 lakh route kilometers (RKM) of optical fiber cable (OFC) have been laid in the country, of which BBNL has contributed 7.7 lakh route kilometers.