Ministry/Department : Ministry of Communications
Objective: To provide broadband connectivity to over two lakh Gram Panchayats
Project:
- Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the special purpose vehicle created as a PSU for execution of NOFN
- Connectivity gap between Gram Panchayats and Blocks will be filled
- The project provides internet access using existing optical fibre and extending it to the Gram panchayats
- The project was intended to enable the government of India to provide e-services and e-applications nationally
- All the Service Providers like Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), ISPs, Cable TV operators etc. will be given non-discriminatory access to the National Optic Fibre Network and can launch various services in rural areas.
- Various categories of applications like e-health, e-education and e-governance etc. can also be provided by these operators
- Its target was subsequently scaled down to less than half (1.10 lakh Panchayats) due to miserable implementation and then the targets as well as the plan lost into oblivion.
Factual Information:
- Started in 2011
- Funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund