📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Communications
Technology
Jharkhand and Centre Ink Agreement to Launch BharatNet Phase III for Rural Broadband
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 11 Sep 2026, 02:34 AM
👁 21
The state government of Jharkhand and the Union government have signed a pact to implement BharatNet Phase III, aiming to extend high‑speed internet connectivity to remaining unserved villages.
The Jharkhand government and the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology formally signed a pact to roll out BharatNet Phase III, the latest tranche of the national broadband mission. The agreement was concluded in a ceremony attended by senior officials from both the state and central administrations.
Phase III is designed to bridge the digital divide by bringing high‑speed broadband to villages that were not covered under the earlier phases of BharatNet. Under the pact, the Centre will provide financial assistance and technical support, while Jharkhand will handle on‑ground implementation, including laying fiber optic cables and setting up local exchange points.
The expansion is expected to bolster digital services in education, healthcare, agriculture and small‑business operations across rural Jharkhand. By linking more villages to the national fiber network, the initiative aligns with the government's broader goal of achieving universal internet access and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Implementation is slated to begin within the next few months, with periodic reviews to monitor progress and ensure that connectivity targets are met on schedule.
Phase III is designed to bridge the digital divide by bringing high‑speed broadband to villages that were not covered under the earlier phases of BharatNet. Under the pact, the Centre will provide financial assistance and technical support, while Jharkhand will handle on‑ground implementation, including laying fiber optic cables and setting up local exchange points.
The expansion is expected to bolster digital services in education, healthcare, agriculture and small‑business operations across rural Jharkhand. By linking more villages to the national fiber network, the initiative aligns with the government's broader goal of achieving universal internet access and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Implementation is slated to begin within the next few months, with periodic reviews to monitor progress and ensure that connectivity targets are met on schedule.