AP seeks Central support for strengthening BhratNet infra

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government has asked the Centre to facilitate supply of 35 lakh customer premises equipment boxes for optimal utilisation of BharatNet infrastructure in the State.

BharatNet also called Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBL) is a flagship program by the Department of Telecommunications in the Ministry of Communications for establishing the National Optical Fibre Network in the length and breadth of the country.

AP Infrastructure and Investment Secretary S Suresh Kumar made a detailed presentation to the Union Minister of State for Panchayat Raj and Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Union Telecom Secretary Dr. Neeraj Mittal at a high-level meeting in Delhi on the progress of BharatNet project.

APFSL Managing Director K Dinesh Kumar also attended. Suresh Kumar requested the Centre to reimburse Rs 635 crore spent on IP-Multi Protocol Label Switching Technology for BharatNet phase-2 in AP. He also sought clearance to pending payment towards capital expenditure for BharatNet phase-2.

Suresh Kumar said AP State Fibernet Limited has been dedicated to providing affordable, high-speed broadband connectivity across AP, particularly focusing on rural and underserved regions.