BharatNet: Pact signed to give fibre connections to over 5 lakh rural homes in Tamil Nadu
Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Department of Telecommunications, the Tamil Nadu government and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation signed an agreement on 30 October 2026 to use the BharatNet network in Tamil Nadu under the Amended BharatNet Programme. It is expected to bring fibre connections to rural households in the state.
What this means for you
This agreement concerns rural areas of Tamil Nadu, so it has no direct effect on ordinary readers in UP, Bihar, MP or Delhi. Rural households in Tamil Nadu may get better access to e-governance, online education, telemedicine and digital payments. The notice does not say where to apply for a connection or what the conditions are.
Key facts
- The agreement was signed on 30 October 2026 at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
- More than 5 lakh rural homes in Tamil Nadu are expected to get fibre connections.
- 4,767 villages will get connectivity on a demand basis.
- The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 04 August 2023.
- Digital Bharat Nidhi, earlier called USOF, is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications.
What has happened
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which works under the Department of Telecommunications, signed a ‘usage agreement’ at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi on 30 October 2026. The agreement is between Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Department of Telecommunications, the Tamil Nadu government and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation (TANFINET).
The aim is to use the BharatNet network in Tamil Nadu so that rural households can be connected under the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) through a state-led model.
What the Amended BharatNet Programme is
The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 04 August 2023. Its purpose is to upgrade, strengthen and expand the existing BharatNet network.
The programme aims to give all gram panchayats and villages strong, future-ready broadband connectivity on a demand basis. The Government of India has approved financial subsidy support for the use of the BharatNet network under this programme.
What changes in Tamil Nadu
According to the notice, the initiative is expected to bring fibre connections to more than 5 lakh rural homes in Tamil Nadu with financial assistance from the Government of India. This can improve access to digital services in the state’s rural and remote areas.
These services include e-governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen services. In addition, 4,767 villages in Tamil Nadu will get connectivity on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
What Digital Bharat Nidhi is
Digital Bharat Nidhi (earlier USOF) was set up under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003, effective from 01.04.2002. Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is now Digital Bharat Nidhi.
It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications. Its main aim is to support universal service by improving the reach and availability of telecom services in rural, remote and urban areas where such services are not adequately available.
Who benefits
The direct benefit is expected to go to rural households in Tamil Nadu, which may get fibre connections and better connectivity. According to the notice, the agreement is expected to speed up implementation of the programme in the state.
Ordinary readers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh or Delhi are not directly affected by this agreement. The notice also does not say where to contact for a connection or what conditions must be met. For such details, readers can reach out to the Department of Telecommunications or Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation.
Questions and answers
Which state is the BharatNet agreement for?
The agreement is for Tamil Nadu. It covers the use of the BharatNet network in the state's rural areas.
How many rural homes will get fibre connections?
According to the notice, more than 5 lakh rural homes in Tamil Nadu are expected to get fibre connections. The connections will be supported by financial assistance from the Government of India.
How many villages will get connectivity?
4,767 villages in Tamil Nadu will get connectivity on a demand basis. The notice does not give a date for this.
What is Digital Bharat Nidhi?
Digital Bharat Nidhi is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications, earlier known as USOF. It works to improve telecom services in areas where they are not adequately available.
Will people in UP, Bihar or Delhi benefit from this?
No, the agreement is for rural areas of Tamil Nadu. The notice says nothing about other states.
Source: PIB, "एबीपी के तहत तमिलनाडु में भारतनेट नेटवर्क के उपयोग के लिए, डिजिटल भारत निधि, दूरसंचार विभाग, तमिलनाडु सरकार एवं तमिलनाडु फाइबरनेट कॉर्पोरेशन के बीच समझौता", 30 October 2026. Read the original notice
This routine notice was drafted with AI from an official source and published automatically; an editor reviews it after publishing. Report an error