Date: 2026-07-10Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Addendum to the Signed Agreement between DBN (Digital Bharat Nidhi) - Department of Telecommunications, Government of Gujarat, GFGNL and BSNL to strengthen broadband infrastructure across the state
**Executive Summary**
On 10 July 2026, an Addendum to the agreement for the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Government of Gujarat, GFGNL, and BSNL to enhance rural broadband infrastructure. The project, backed by ₹5,629 crore in federal financial support, aims to provide on-demand connectivity to 3,895 villages and upgrade network resilience for 14,287 Gram Panchayats. This initiative is designed to facilitate over five lakh rural home fibre connections and improve the delivery of essential digital services across the state.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Financial Support and Project Scope**
* The Government of India has approved ₹5,629 crore for the rollout of the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat.
* The initiative targets the provision of more than five lakh rural home fibre connections.
* Connectivity will be extended to 14,287 Gram Panchayats and 3,895 villages on an on-demand basis.
**Infrastructure and Technical Upgrades**
* The project follows a "State-led model" implemented through Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL).
* 14,264 Phase I and Phase II Gram Panchayats will be upgraded from a linear topology to a ring topology to enhance network resilience.
* The network expansion includes the inclusion of 23 newly created Gram Panchayats.
**Service Delivery and Digital Growth**
* The infrastructure aims to facilitate e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, and digital payments.
* The programme is designed to ensure "future-ready" broadband connectivity for inclusive digital growth in rural and remote areas.
**Regulatory and Organizational Changes**
* Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has been renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
* DBN is mandated to support universal telecom access in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas through various projects like BharatNet and the 4G Saturation Project.
**Impact Analysis**
**Rural Residents of Gujarat**
**Impact**
Residents gain access to high-speed home fibre connections and improved digital services such as telemedicine and online education.
**Action Required**
Villagers in the 3,895 targeted areas may request on-demand connectivity to access these services.
**Government of Gujarat and GFGNL**
**Impact**
These entities are tasked with the execution of the State-led model and the technical transition of the network.
**Action Required**
Implement the upgrade of 14,264 Gram Panchayats to ring topology and manage the distribution of the ₹5,629 crore funding.
**Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) / Department of Telecommunications**
**Impact**
As the funding and oversight body, DBN ensures the expansion of telecommunication services to underserved areas.
**Action Required**
Provide financial support and monitor the implementation of the project to ensure it aligns with the mandates of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
**BSNL**
**Impact**
As a signatory and partner, BSNL is a key stakeholder in the collaborative effort to strengthen rural telecom infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with state agencies to facilitate the technical rollout and maintenance of the expanded network.
Key Entities Referenced
Amended BharatNet Programme: A national initiative to upgrade and expand broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages, implemented in Gujarat under a state-led model.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): Formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), this entity under the Department of Telecommunications provides the mandate and funding for rural telecom infrastructure.
Gujarat: The target state for the ₹5,629 crore financial support initiative to strengthen broadband infrastructure across 14,287 Gram Panchayats.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023: The primary legislation that transitioned the Universal Service Obligation Fund into the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL): The specific state-level agency responsible for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat.
Ministry of Communications
Addendum to the Signed Agreement between
DBN (Digital Bharat Nidhi) - Department of
Telecommunications, Government of Gujarat,
GFGNL and BSNL to strengthen broadband
infrastructure across the state
₹5,629 Crore Financial Support Approved for Rollout of
Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat
Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat to Cover 14,287
Gram Panchayats and Provide On-Demand Connectivity to
3,895 Villages
Partnership to Strengthen and Upgrade Rural Telecom
Infrastructure across Gujarat
Partnership to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre
connections with financial support from the Government of
India
प्रव तथ: 10 JUL 2026 8:16PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening digital infrastructure and accelerating broadband connectivity
across rural Gujarat, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed
an Addendum to the signed Agreement for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP)
in the State under the State-led model today at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Addendum was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), DoT; Government of Gujarat; Gujarat
Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for implementation of
the Amended BharatNet Programme in the State of Gujarat.The agreement was signed by Smt. P. Bharathi, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology,
Government of Gujarat and Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, DDG (ABP Implementation-I), Department of
Telecommunications, in the august presence of Shri Shyamal Misra, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi
(DBN). Senior officers of DoT, DBN and BSNL were present in the signing ceremony.
The signing of the Addendum marks an important milestone towards strengthening rural digital broadband
connectivity, enhancing last-mile connectivity and promoting inclusive digital growth.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4th August 2023 with the
objective of upgrading, consolidating and expanding the existing BharatNet network to ensure robust and
future-ready broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand basis.
Under the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat, the project will be implemented through Gujarat
Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL). The Programme will have a total scope of 14,287 Gram
Panchayats, which includes upgradation of 14,264 Phase I & Phase-II Gram Panchayats from linear to
ring topology to enhance network resilience and inclusion of 23 newly created Gram Panchayats. In
addition, 3,895 villages will be provided connectivity on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile
connectivity.The Government of India has already approved financial support of ₹5,629 crore for implementation of
the Programme in Gujarat. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre
connections with financial support from the Government of India and significantly enhance delivery of
digital services including e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen-
centric services across rural and remote areas of the State.
About Digital Bharat Nidhi
Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile USOF) was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act,
2003 w.e.f. 01.04.2002. As per ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’ the Universal Service Obligation
Fund, has become the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). The DBN has mandate to support universal service
through promoting access and delivery of telecommunication service in underserved rural, remote and
urban areas. It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of
Communications.
In order to achieve objectives of DBN, it covers various schemes and projects including BharatNet, 4G
Saturation Project, Provision of Mobile Service in uncovered areas of Aspirational Districts, Mobile
Services in Left Wing Extremist Areas, Mobile Services in Himalayan and Border areas, Mobile Services
in Islands and Mobile Services in North Eastern Areas.
Follow DoT handles for more: -
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Fb - https://www.facebook.com/DoTIndia
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@departmentoftelecom?si=DALnhYkt89U5jAaa
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