• Approval of financial assistance for use of BharatNet network under ABP in Tamil Nadu
  • Agreement under ABC to provide subsidy for fiber connections to over five lakh rural homes and to provide connectivity to 4,767 villages on demand in Tamil Nadu
  • Partnership to strengthen and interlink rural telecom infrastructure in Tamil Nadu

In a major step to strengthen digital infrastructure and accelerate broadband connectivity in rural Tamil Nadu, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Digital India Fund (DBN) signed a ‘Utilisation Agreement’ today at the Communications Building, New Delhi. Under this agreement, rural families in the state will be linked through the ‘Modified BharatNet Programme’ (ABP) using a state‑run model

Agreement signed between Digital India Fund (DBN), Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Tamil Nadu Government and Tamil Nadu FiberNet Corporation (TNFInet) for use of BharatNet network under ABP in Tamil Nadu

The signing ceremony was held in the dignified presence of Shri Shyamla Mishra, Administrator of the Digital India Fund (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications. Attended were Additional Chief Secretary (AI & IT and Digital Services), Tamil Nadu Government, Shri Atul Anand (via video conference); Director (Enterprise Business), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Shri Papa Sudhakar Rao; Managing Director (Project), Tamil Nadu FiberNet Corporation, Ms V. Vallidevi; and DDG (ABP Implementation‑I), Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, along with senior officials of DoT, DBN and BSNL

The central cabinet approved the Modified BharatNet Programme on 04 August 2023. The programme aims to upgrade, strengthen and expand the existing BharatNet network so that every gram panchayat and village can receive robust, future‑ready broadband connectivity on a demand basis

The Government of India has approved financial subsidy assistance for the use of the BharatNet network under the Modified BharatNet Programme. The initiative is expected to provide fiber connections to over five lakh rural homes in Tamil Nadu with central funding, enhancing digital service reach in remote areas, including e‑governance, online education, tele‑medicine, digital payments and citizen services. Additionally, 4,767 villages will be provided connectivity on demand to strengthen last‑mile connectivity

The agreement signed today is expected to accelerate programme implementation in Tamil Nadu, helping to digitally empower society and further the knowledge‑based economy vision

About Digital India Fund

The Digital India Fund (formerly USOF) was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003, effective 01‑04‑2002. Under the ‘Telecom Act, 2023’, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has been renamed Digital India Fund (DBN). DBN’s primary objective is to promote universal service by expanding access and availability of telecom services in rural, remote and urban areas where they are insufficient. It is an affiliated office of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications

DBN’s objectives are pursued through several schemes and projects, including BharatNet, 4G saturation, mobile services in aspirational districts lacking connectivity, mobile services in left‑wing extremist‑affected areas, Himalayan and border regions, islands and the North‑Eastern states

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