Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Tamil Nadu government and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation (TANFINET) signed an agreement on 30 October 2026 at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, to expand rural broadband access in Tamil Nadu. Shyamal Misra, Administrator of DBN, attended, while Atul Anand, Additional Chief Secretary for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services, joined by video conference.
Rural connectivity under the programme
The agreement is part of the state-led Amended BharatNet Program and focuses on fibre connections for rural households. Central financial subsidy support is expected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections. The agreement also provides for on-demand broadband connectivity in 4,767 villages.
DBN, formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund, operates under the Department of Telecommunications and supports telecom access in underserved areas. TANFINET, a state-owned enterprise, is the implementing agency for the programme in Tamil Nadu.
Programme background
The Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Program on 4 August 2023 to upgrade, consolidate and expand the existing network. Expected services enabled by improved rural connectivity include e-governance, online education, telemedicine and digital payments.
Important Facts for Exams
- Middle-layer architecture: BharatNet was designed as a middle layer linking broadband networks across community development blocks and village councils.
- Digital Bharat Nidhi remit: The Telecommunications Act, 2023 allows the Digital Bharat Nidhi to support telecom research and development and pilot projects, alongside connectivity in underserved areas.
- Former USOF funding: The former USOF was funded mainly by a Universal Access Levy on telecom operators’ adjusted gross revenue, its principal financing mechanism.
- BharatNet wholesale access: BharatNet is structured as open-access wholesale infrastructure, allowing multiple internet service providers and other eligible operators to use the network for last-mile services.
