BharatNet
Key features of the scheme :
- BharatNet Scheme has been launched by the government of India under the Digital India program.
- The main intent behind the scheme is to provide high-speed digital connectivity through internet in rural areas at a very affordable price.
- It is the world’s largest rural broadband connectivity project.
- Around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and 6 lakh villages in the country will be covered under this scheme.
- To achieve this range of connectivity, the existing unused fibers (dark fibre) of public sector undertakings (PSUs) were to be utilized and incremental fibre was to be laid to connect the Gram Panchayats wherever the necessary arises.
- It is implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) – a special purpose vehicle under the Ministry of Telecommunications.
- The project is being funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which was set up for improving the telecom services in rural areas of the country.
Dark fiber :
- It is also known as unlit fibre.
- It is basically that part of fibre which is laid but not used for transmitting the information.
- Generally, companies lay extra fibers in order to save it for future purposes and also to avoid the extra cost involved.
- It is known as unlit fiber because generally the information is being transmitted in the form of light pulses but in dark fiber the light pulses are not transmitted.
Syllabus : prelims + mains; various Government schemes in news
