A winning formula for digital inclusion

BharatNet, the world’s largest rural optical fibre roll-out project, has quietly been laying the groundwork for India’s digital future. Covering about two lakh gram panchayats, with a target of connecting every village, BharatNet delivers high-speed, scalable broadband infrastructure deep into the hinterlands. On top of this backbone for last-mile connectivity, the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-Wani) decentralises this broadband access. Powered by unlicensed spectrum and light-touch regulations, it is envisioned to offer affordable, open Wi-Fi services through millions of public data offices (PDOs) — local entrepreneurs, kirana shops, and small businesses.