Bharat broadband network limited, Department of Posts and BSNL have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi for providing of BharatNet broadband connectivity to Post Offices in rural areas. Under the MoU, about 1.3 lakh post offices in rural areas and 25 thousand sub-post offices will be connected through broadband for high speed Internet connectivity in rural masses.
Speaking on the occasion, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha said, the first phase of connecting about one lakh Gram Panchayats is nearing its completion and in the remaining one and a half lakh Gram Panchayats, 100 mbps broadband connectivity will be completed by December next year.
In reply to a question, the Minister said, BharatNet is one of the 9 pillars of realising the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. He said, BSNL is the service provider and the cost of infrastructure and the operational expenses would be paid by the Department of Posts.