DoT to extend BSNL’s pilot project to provide FTTH connections in 500,000 rural households

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plans to extend a pilot project by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband connections in rural areas to cover 500,000 households amid strong demand from consumers. 

The pilot started in October 2022 to provide wired broadband connections to 100,000 rural households, but nearly 200,000 connections have already been provided under the scheme due to high demand. As per officials, DoT is seeking the approval from Digital Communications Commission (DCC), the highest decision-making body of DoT, to expand the project to 500,000 connections. 

The BSNL FTTH connections will be offered in areas where BharatNet fibre has been rolled out. So far, 198,408 gram panchayats have been connected through the BharatNet project and 613,868 km of optic fibre cable has been laid.