New Delhi: The “National Conference on “BharatNet” (Hi-speed Rural Broadband Network) for the launch of Phase II, Signing of MoU with States and utilization of Network” was held at Vigyaan Bhawan, New Delhi on 13 November 2017. The launch event was graced by the presence of Ravi Shankar Prasad, Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology & Minister for Law and Justice; Prakash Javadekar, Hon’ble Minister of Human Resource Development; and Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communication. The conference was also attended by members from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu & Maharashtra; Smt. Aruna Sundharajan, Chairman Telecom Commission & Secretory (T), Sanjay Singh, Administrator USOF DOT, senior officers and executives of CPSUs, Telecom Service Providers and organisations associated with BharatNet. BharatNet is a project initiated by the Government of India and funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund with aim to provide broadband connectivity to over two lakh fifty thousand (250,000) Gram Panchayats of India.
The BharatNet project will form the basic platform for the provision of a number of services like e-governance, e-health, e-commerce, e-banking, video on demand, etc. Universal access to the internet is a must to empower our citizens. It will not only enable them to connect with their friends, family and communities, but also uses the online tools and information to help find jobs, start businesses, access healthcare, education and financial services.
That, Under BharaNet Phase – I, 2.4 Lakh Kms of Optical Fiber Cable has already been laid connecting 1 lakh 40 thousand Gram Panchayats across the country. Ravi Shankar Prasad in his speech described the launch of phase II as a momentous moment for India. He also stated that BharatNet is as a turning point to bring digital revolution that would bridge the digital divide between rural and urban India. The Manoj Sinha cited the example of Telangana which has utilized the same trenches of Mission Bhagiratha to lay fiber optic duct and cable to urge other States to emulate in using multiple utilities to bring synergy in costing, implementation and maintenance.
The event was also marked by the signing of MoU for Implementation of BharatNet Phase – II Project, Under State Led Model amongst USOF, Department of Telecom, Government of India and respective States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The salient features of the MoU covers details with respect to allocation of funds to the respective states, terms of release of funds for the CAPEX & OPEX and other general terms & conditions.
The Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretory IT, Government of Telangana along with Sujai Karampuri, MD Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation signed the MoU on behalf of Telangana State. The Government of Telangana has been allotted a total sum of INR 1,243 Cr. For implementation of BharatNet Phase II from Block (Mandal) to the Gram Panchayat (GP) covering 6,657 GPs across the State of Telangana. Some portion of these funds will be given as advance to enable faster implementation.
 for the launch of Phase II){kind=link}