State-run BSNL is recruiting local partners to manage last-mile fiber broadband connections under its BharatNet project. Partners will share 50% of monthly subscriber revenue after an initial equipment investment. This move aims to improve rural connectivity and address long-standing customer service gaps by decentralizing technical support.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched a new partner-driven model to accelerate the rollout of its BharatNet broadband services across rural India. By recruiting local individuals, self-help groups, and firms as BharatNet Udyamis, the state-run telecom company intends to overcome the logistical and service-related hurdles that have previously slowed the deployment of high-speed internet in remote gram panchayats.
Revenue Model and Partnership Details
The initiative relies on a revenue-sharing structure where local partners receive 50% of the monthly subscription income from the connections they manage. To participate, partners must make an initial investment of approximately ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh to cover the necessary equipment. In exchange, these partners are responsible for the installation, provisioning, and ongoing maintenance of Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections. This model is designed to align the financial incentives of the partners with the quality of service, as their earnings will fluctuate based on the volume of active connections they maintain.
Addressing Service Delivery Challenges
One of the primary objectives of this decentralized approach is to improve customer support. Historically, BSNL has faced criticism regarding its responsiveness, particularly for service requests made after standard business hours. By delegating maintenance and support tasks to local partners who receive specific training, the company aims to provide more consistent service availability. This strategy serves as an attempt to enhance the reliability of its rural broadband offerings, which promise speeds of up to 25 Mbps and a monthly data limit of 700 GB.
Infrastructure and Future Targets
As of the latest updates, the project has already connected 2,676 gram panchayats, with about 15,000 km of optical fiber cable laid. The scope of the project is significant, covering not only all gram panchayats but also extending to approximately 32,000 additional villages upon demand. In a recent expansion phase, BSNL signed an agreement to connect 664 more gram panchayats in West Bengal, following the completion of 450 km of trenching and ducting in that region. The company has set a roadmap to lay an additional 18,000 km of cable over the next three years, with a major infrastructure upgrade for existing connections planned for completion by March 2027. Investors and observers will be watching the pace of these installations and the success of the partner model in sustaining the network's long-term operational efficiency.