View: BharatNet crucial for achieving progress towards Digital India’s goals

BharatNet, run by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), is one of the largest rural telecom initiatives in the world. It’s designed to bring broadband connectivity to every village. Initially launched in 2011 as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), BharatNet aims to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats (GPs). With an initial budget of Rs 42,000 cr, about Rs 40,000 cr has been spent.