India’s state-owned telecommunications company, BSNL, has initiated a tender process for the implementation of the phase-III BharatNet project, valued at approximately INR 65,000 crore (about $8.7 billion). Part of the broader INR 1.4 trillion revamped BharatNet project, this initiative aims to enhance connectivity in rural areas by upgrading existing infrastructure and connecting additional gram panchayats. The tender includes designing, supplying, constructing, and installing optical fibre cables, switches, routers, and other essential telecom equipment. BSNL is the sole project management agency for the BharatNet project, which seeks to upgrade existing 164,000 gram panchayats and connect approximately 47,000 new ones.
BSNL Initiates INR 65,000 Crore Tender for BharatNet Phase-III Project
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