Govt to extend broadband to public service institutions

The Centre has decided to extend the high speed broadband connectivity facility to public service institutions including police stations, high schools and higher education institutions, primary health centres, and post offices on government's expenditure, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said on Monday.

Eyeing 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, broadband connectivity was provided to 1 lakh gram panchayats under the first phase of BharatNet in December 2017. The second phase of providing connectivity to remaining 1.5 lakh gram panchayats is being implemented through three models – state-led, Central PSUs, and private sector, Sinha said while inaugurating the new corporate office of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL). The BBNL is implementing the ambitious project.

The minister also exuded confidence that the final phase of BharatNet project to extend high-speed broadband connectivity infrastructure to remaining 1.25 lakh gram panchayats will be completed "on schedule" by March 2019. Under the BharatNet project, the government aims to provide broadband connectivity to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.

The project is aimed at facilitating delivery of e-governance, e-health, e-education, e-banking and other services to citizens across the country.