ITI Limited, India’s first PSU post-independence and a leading telecom manufacturing company, has initiated a significant infrastructure milestone by launching the State Network Operations Center (S-NOC) at Solan in Himachal Pradesh. This is part of the BharatNet Phase-III Project, undertaken in coordination with BSNL, with the objective of expanding digital connectivity to rural India.

A Step Toward National Digital Inclusion

The BharatNet Phase-III initiative is a flagship rural broadband connectivity project funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Government of India. It aims to connect every gram panchayat to a high-speed broadband network by leveraging cutting-edge telecom infrastructure.

The recently inaugurated S-NOC in Solan serves as the centralized nerve center of the network operations. Here, ITI Limited will monitor and manage the performance, security, and availability of the entire infrastructure, ensuring efficient service delivery and real-time network reliability.

Massive Scope and Strategic Collaboration

In November 2024, ITI Limited emerged as the L1 bidder for BharatNet Phase-III Projects in:

• Himachal Pradesh (Package No. 8)

• West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Package No. 9)

The total order value for these projects stands at ₹5,050 crore.

This venture adopts a Design, Build, Operate, and Maintain (DBOM) model, which emphasizes not just infrastructure creation but also its sustained operations over time.

Connectivity Blueprint for Himachal Pradesh

The implementation blueprint of the BharatNet Phase-III project in Himachal Pradesh is monumental:

• 3,615 Gram Panchayats will be linked to

• 91 Block Headquarters using

• 10 Gbps Bandwidth, which will be integrated into the BSNL IP-MPLS Ring Network.

From these points, connectivity will be extended to 15,538 villages across the geographically challenging terrain of the state. To accomplish this, approximately 20,000 kilometers of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) will be laid across the state.

Event Highlights and Strategic Remarks

The inauguration event was recently conducted at the BSNL Office in Solan, and was graced by several dignitaries, including:

• Mr. Rajesh Rai, Chairman and Managing Director of ITI Limited

• Mr. Anil Kumar Gupta, CGM of BSNL

• Mr. Rajeev Srivastava, Director-Finance, ITI Limited

• Mrs. Namita, GM, ITI Limited

• Mr. Jaspal Singh, Senior GM, BSNL

Their collective presence underscored the strategic importance of the project and the synergy between government PSUs to fulfill India’s digital ambitions.

CMD’s Vision for a Digitally Empowered Rural India

Speaking at the event, Mr. Rajesh Rai emphasized that digital connectivity is essential for rural empowerment. He stated:

“We are very glad to initiate this S-NOC in partnership with BSNL. This project is a significant step towards digital connectivity and rural empowerment in Himachal Pradesh. Despite the geographical challenges, we are confident of timely and successful implementation. Once completed, this project will fuel education, healthcare, business, and e-governance in every village.”

Why This Project Matters

• Enables Digital Access: The project will bring high-speed broadband to underserved villages, bridging the digital divide.

• Promotes Education and E-Governance: Students, teachers, and administrators will benefit from stable internet access, facilitating e-learning and digital administration.

• Drives Economic Growth: By digitizing remote areas, the project enables local entrepreneurs and MSMEs to connect with global markets.

• Healthcare Connectivity: Rural health centers can adopt telemedicine services, improving medical access in remote regions.

Impact on the Indian Telecom and Digital Infrastructure Landscape

This initiative marks a critical chapter in India’s telecom evolution, especially in the post-pandemic world, where digital infrastructure is foundational to every aspect of life. The use of 10 Gbps connections, multi-tiered ring architecture, and highly scalable S-NOCs sets the foundation for future-ready networks.

Additionally, this move strengthens the Make in India initiative, with ITI Limited leading the project execution using indigenous technologies and manpower.

Conclusion

The launch of S-NOC for BharatNet Phase-III by ITI Limited in Himachal Pradesh is more than a project initiation—it’s the start of a digital revolution for India’s rural landscape. The synergy between BSNL and ITI, backed by USOF and the Government of India, reflects the nation’s commitment to inclusive digital growth.

As ITI Limited continues its implementation, the results will be closely watched as a model for other states and possibly replicated in similar geographies worldwide, pushing the envelope on how rural broadband connectivity can reshape economies and societies.

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