Andhra Signs BharatNet Deal to Expand High-Speed Broadband Across Rural Areas

In a major boost to rural digital connectivity and infrastructure modernization, the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has signed a landmark agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and key implementing agencies for the rollout of the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) in the state under the State-led implementation model.

The agreement, signed at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi, marks a significant step toward strengthening rural broadband infrastructure, improving last-mile internet connectivity and accelerating digital inclusion across Andhra Pradesh.

Officials described the initiative as a critical milestone in advancing the Government of India’s vision of building a digitally empowered society and knowledge-driven economy.

Major Collaboration Between Centre and Andhra Pradesh

The agreement was signed between:

• Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Department of Telecommunications

• Government of Andhra Pradesh

• Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL)

• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

• Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL)

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of senior officials from the central and state governments, including:

• Shri Shyamal Misra, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi

• Shri Anand Khare, Director General (Telecom), DoT

• Ms. Geetanjali Sharma, CEO, APBIL

• Shri Papa Sudhakara Rao, Director (Enterprise Business), BSNL

• Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, DDG (ABP Implementation-I), DoT

Officials said the partnership reflects strong coordination between the Central Government and Andhra Pradesh in strengthening digital public infrastructure and ensuring inclusive digital growth.

BharatNet Expansion to Cover 13,426 Gram Panchayats

Under the Amended BharatNet Programme, Andhra Pradesh will undertake one of the country’s largest rural broadband expansion initiatives.

The project will cover a total of 13,426 Gram Panchayats across the state.

Scope of the Programme Includes:

• Upgradation of 1,692 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology

• Connectivity for 11,254 Phase II Gram Panchayats

• Inclusion of 480 newly created Gram Panchayats

• Connectivity to 3,942 villages on demand basis

Officials said the transition from linear to ring topology will significantly improve network resilience, reliability and uptime.

The enhanced architecture is expected to reduce service disruptions while supporting future broadband demand in rural regions.

₹2,432 Crore Approved for Andhra Pradesh Rollout

The Government of India has approved ₹2,432 crore in financial support for implementation of the programme in Andhra Pradesh.

The project will be executed through Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL) under the state-led implementation framework.

Officials said the investment forms part of the broader national effort to upgrade and expand BharatNet infrastructure to support future-ready digital connectivity across rural India.

Over Five Lakh Rural Fibre Connections Expected

One of the most significant expected outcomes of the initiative is the expansion of broadband access to rural households.

The programme is projected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections with support from the Government of India.

Experts say expanded broadband access will play a transformative role in improving digital participation and socio-economic development in rural communities.

The initiative is expected to enhance access to:

• E-Governance services

• Online education

• Telemedicine

• Digital payments

• Banking services

• Citizen-centric welfare platforms

• E-commerce opportunities

• Agricultural information systems

Strengthening Last-Mile Connectivity

A key focus of the programme is improving last-mile connectivity in remote and underserved villages.

Officials noted that while backbone infrastructure expansion is important, ensuring actual household-level and village-level connectivity remains critical for meaningful digital inclusion.

The additional connectivity planned for 3,942 villages on demand basis is expected to help bridge persistent rural digital gaps and improve internet accessibility in hard-to-reach areas.

Cabinet-Approved BharatNet Upgrade Programme

The Amended BharatNet Programme was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023 with the objective of:

• Upgrading existing BharatNet infrastructure

• Expanding broadband connectivity

• Consolidating rural digital networks

• Creating future-ready broadband systems

• Ensuring connectivity to all Gram Panchayats

The programme forms part of India’s broader digital infrastructure modernization strategy under the vision of Digital India.

Officials say the upgraded BharatNet network is intended to provide scalable, high-capacity broadband infrastructure capable of supporting increasing digital service demands across rural India.

Rural Broadband Seen as Economic Growth Driver

Digital infrastructure experts say expanded rural broadband connectivity can have far-reaching economic and social impacts.

Improved internet access in rural regions is increasingly linked to:

• Better educational outcomes

• Enhanced healthcare access

• Financial inclusion

• Entrepreneurship opportunities

• Agricultural productivity

• Access to government services

• Digital employment opportunities

Analysts note that broadband connectivity is now considered foundational infrastructure comparable to roads, electricity and water in supporting long-term economic development.

Andhra Pradesh Continues Digital Infrastructure Push

Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one of India’s more active states in pursuing digital governance and fibre connectivity initiatives.

The state’s existing Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited (APSFL) network has already played a major role in expanding internet access and digital service delivery across several districts.

The new BharatNet expansion is expected to further strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem while improving service quality and network reach.

Supporting India’s Digital Inclusion Agenda

Officials said the agreement demonstrates continued momentum in India’s efforts to reduce the rural-urban digital divide and ensure equitable access to digital opportunities.

The project is expected to contribute significantly toward national objectives related to:

• Digital inclusion

• Rural empowerment

• Smart governance

• Technology-enabled service delivery

• Knowledge economy development

“The Agreement signed today is expected to accelerate execution of the Programme in Andhra Pradesh and further advance the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy,” officials said.

Future-Ready Rural Connectivity Infrastructure

As India’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, government officials increasingly view high-speed broadband connectivity as essential infrastructure for social and economic transformation.

The Andhra Pradesh BharatNet rollout is expected to create a more resilient and scalable rural connectivity framework capable of supporting:

• Future digital services

• AI-enabled governance systems

• Cloud-based public services

• Digital commerce

• Smart village initiatives

• Remote work opportunities

The agreement marks another major step in India’s broader effort to build one of the world’s largest rural digital infrastructure networks and ensure that digital growth reaches every part of the country.