In a significant step towards strengthening digital infrastructure and accelerating broadband connectivity across rural Tamil Nadu, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed a Utilisation Agreement for connecting the rural households under Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in the State under the State-led model today at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Agreement was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), DoT; Government of Tamil Nadu; and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation (TANFINET) for Utilisation of BharatNet Network in Tamil Nadu under ABP.
The Agreement signing ceremony was held in the august presence of Shri Shyamal Misra, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Department of Telecommunications. The ceremony was also attended by Shri Atul Anand, Additional Chief Secretary, Artificial intelligence, Information Technology and Digital services department, Government of Tamilnadu (through video conferencing); Shri Papa Sudhakara Rao, Director (Enterprise Business), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited; Smt. V. Vallidevi, General Manager (Projects), Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation and Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, DDG (ABP Implementation-I), Department of Telecommunications, along with senior officers of DoT, DBN and BSNL.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Program on 4th August 2023 with the objective of upgrading, consolidating and expanding the existing BharatNet network to ensure robust and future-ready broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand basis.
The Government of India has approved financial subsidy support for utilisation of BharatNet network under Amended BharatNet Program. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections in the state of Tamil Nadu with financial support from the Government of India and significantly enhance delivery of digital services including e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen-centric services across rural and remote areas of the State. In addition, 4,767 villages in the state of Tamil Nadu will be provided connectivity on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
The Agreement signed today is expected to accelerate execution of the Program in Tamil Nadu and further advance the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile USOF) was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 w.e.f. 01.04.2002. As per ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’ the Universal Service Obligation Fund, has become the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). The DBN has mandate to support universal service through promoting access and delivery of telecommunication service in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
In order to achieve objectives of DBN, it covers various schemes and projects including BharatNet, 4G Saturation Project, Provision of Mobile Service in uncovered areas of Aspirational Districts, Mobile Services in Left Wing Extremist Areas, Mobile Services in Himalayan and Border areas, Mobile Services in Islands and Mobile Services in North Eastern Areas.
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