Bharatnet: The way forward

Abstract

In this era of digital connectivity vast number of rural population, in India, are digitally illiterate and access to internet is an issue. This paper deals with the issues concerning the challenges in implementation, sustainability and utilisation of Bharatnet in rural India with emphasis on the expected policy initiatives from the government. It clearly gives out framework and timelines for the implementation partners / different agencies / ministries for the optimal use of the network for better outcomes in tune with the digital India plan. The need for the financial viability of the operation and maintenance partners like CSC and TSPs are discussed to make it a sustainable model. The paper suggests the paradigm shift needed from governments, either state or central, in utilizing the network for bettering the lives of the rural people. Both the models, TSP and state-led, are studied in detail by extensive touring. The suggestion in the implementation stage is to go for fresh cable, wherever BSNL OFC which is in tatters, is utilized for the connectivity in phase one. This will enable it to be a truly independent and overlay network. As the project is in final stages, wherever the state led model is implemented, the timelines have to be practical and have to be strictly adhered to. The problem of lack of trained manpower can be addressed through the skill development programme particularly in OFC cable splicing, operation and maintenance. It is suggested to provide a minimum of 5-6 connections/ 10 mbps in each GP to cater to the needs of panchayat office, schools, PHC, post office, PDS outlets and farming communities by sharing the subscription amount in the ratio of 50:50, for a period of three years, by central and state governments respectively. The bandwidth and dark fibres have to be extensively marketed to TSPs, Cable operators, ISPs and Wi-Fi service providers, to generate revenues by creating a marketing wing in BBNL. As the usage of smart phones is increasing phenomenally in rural areas and to enable them as digitally literate, the launching of Wi- Fi has to be expedited on a war footing. This will give an initial fillip to the project and assured revenue stream to the O&M partners. The prime mover initiative has to come from the government. The disparate efforts by different wings of the government for connectivity like National information infrastructure (NII), state government’s user networks and their wide area networks (WAN) should be integrated and brought under one umbrella. The lead should come from respective states as they are the final users of the network. The government should utilise the competencies provided by the Bharatnet for census, BPL, health, education, social upliftment programmes for farmers etc by developing appropriate applications through NIC. The pro active policies of Karnataka state government were discussed in detail. Large scale savings can be generated, efficiencies and accountability increased by utilizing the Bharatnet for data collection and aggregation. Processing and analysing them by using the data mining and big data analytics, the governments can leverage this information in planning different schemes for the betterment of the rural populace in general. The scale and scope of the project can bring transformation in economical, social and technological fields, in the lives of rural people is beyond anyone’s imagination.