Parliament Question: Misuse of BharatNet Fibre by Private Operators

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 582 ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY, 2026 MISUSE OF BHARATNET FIBRE BY PRIVATE OPERATORS †582. SHRI DEVESH SHAKYA: MS IQRA CHOUDHARY: SHRI LALJI VERMA: SHRI NEERAJ MAURYA: SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the media reports alleging unauthorised use of BharatNet fibre by private data operators, resulting in the deprivation of its benefits to the rural population; (b) whether it is true that the commission and the technical support provided to the local entrepreneurs are inadequate under the BharatNet Entrepreneur Model to meet the ability to operate and maintain the infrastructure effectively; (c) whether the Government has plans for 5G integration through BharatNet in Government schools and health centres has remained confined only to urban areas in rural Uttar Pradesh; and (d) whether the Government processes to establish a digital audit and public accountability mechanism at the Gram Sabha level to ensure 100 per cent active broadband connectivity within the next 36 months? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) Under the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), Remote Fiber Monitoring System (RFMS) for real-time monitoring of the optical fibre network is implemented to prevent unauthorised use of BharatNet fiber. (b) Under the BharatNet Udyami (BNU) model, a suitable revenue sharing mechanism has been incorporated to incentivize local entrepreneurs for providing and maintaining last mile connectivity from Gram Panchayat to households. Further, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has provided complete end to end digital platform to BNUs for all their requirements to serve the customer. (c) Under Amended BharatNet Program, 1.5 Crore Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections have been provisioned in rural areas across all States/UTs (including Uttar Pradesh) with priority to cover Government Schools and Health Centers. (d) Under Amended BharatNet Program, no such mechanism at Gram Sabha level is provisioned. ***** 1