HYDERABAD: Telangana has secured Rs 3,185 crore in financial support from the Centre to upgrade and expand its rural broadband network, with the amended BharatNet programme set to cover 12,769 gram panchayats across the state.
An agreement for implementing the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) under the state-led model was signed between the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Department of Telecommunications, and the state government in New Delhi on Friday. The agreement involves the Telangana Rural Internet Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (TRIICL), Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Ltd (T-Fiber) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
The programme envisages strengthening the existing optical fibre cable (OFC) network and providing broadband connectivity to rural households. Of the 12,769 gram panchayats covered, 1,946 will be upgraded from linear to ring topology, 36 will be newly connected through ring topology, while 10,787 are already operational under the ring topology.
The project is expected to facilitate 2.93 lakh rural household broadband connections, with a proposed last-mile connectivity support of around `10,000 per connection. The estimated funding requirement for this component is `300 crore.
As part of the rollout, approval has also been given to float tenders for laying new OFC networks in Khammam, Rangareddy and Nizamabad districts, along with their operation and maintenance for 10 years. The state has also received approval to initiate the tendering process for monetising the BharatNet infrastructure to improve its utilisation and generate revenue.
The expanded network is expected to improve access to online education, telemedicine, e-governance and other citizen-centric digital services in rural and remote areas. It will also support connectivity to Rythu Vedikas and facilitate the delivery of government services.
The programme will be implemented through TRIICL, a special purpose vehicle constituted by the state government in June 2026. It will be responsible for planning, execution, operation and maintenance of the BharatNet network connecting mandal headquarters with gram panchayats.
While T-Fiber will continue to manage the network infrastructure up to district and mandal headquarters, TRIICL will oversee the BharatNet network beyond these points. TRIICL will also select project implementation agencies through competitive bidding under the Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) model.
The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on August 4, 2023, to upgrade, consolidate and expand the existing BharatNet infrastructure and provide future-ready broadband connectivity to gram panchayats and villages on demand.
The agreement was signed in the presence of DBN Administrator Shyamal Misra, DoT Director Harsh Sharma, Telangana IT Department Joint Secretary Anudeep Durishetty, TRIICL CEO and T-Fiber Managing Director Venu Prasad Panneru, BSNL Principal General Manager (BharatNet) G Raja Ram Mohan and other officials.
Project benefits
2.93L rural households to get broadband connections
Approval to float tenders for laying new OFC networks in Khammam, Rangareddy and Nizamabad districts
Improved access to online education, telemedicine, e-governance and other citizen-centric digital services in rural and remote areas
Support connectivity to Rythu Vedikas and facilitate the delivery of government services
