What is BharatNet?

BharatNet is an broadband programme announced by the Central government to further enhance broadband connectivity across the country.


Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her

Budget 2020

speech proposed to provide Rs 6,000 crore to

BharatNet program

in 2020-21. With focus on new economy models based on new-age technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), the government also intends to bring out a policy to enable private sector to build data centre parks throughout the country, FM said.

"Our vision is that all public institutions at the gram panchayat level such as anganwadis, health and wellness centres, government schools, PDS outlets, post offices and police stations -- all will be provided digital connectivity. The fibre to the home (FTTH) connection through BharatNet will link 100,000 gram panchayats this year itself," she said.

The finance minister noted that the new economy is based on innovations that disrupt established business models.

Noting that government has harnessed new technologies to enable direct benefit transfers and financial inclusions on a scale like never before, she said analytics, fintech and IoT are changing life.

"It is now a cliche that data is the new oil...To take advantage of this, I propose to bring out soon a policy to enable private sector to build data centre parks throughout the country," Sitharaman said.

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