On December 10th, 2025, the Minister of Communications addressed Unstarred Question No. 1682 regarding the reviewed progress of BharatNet connectivity in response to queries from Shri Tejasvi Surya. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, stated that the BharatNet project is being implemented to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages. In Karnataka, 6,084 GPs out of 6,086 are service-ready. The government has approved the PM-WANI framework, enabling Public Data Offices (PDOs) to establish Wi-Fi hotspots. There are 21,834 PM-WANI hotspots in Karnataka, with 11,692 in Bengaluru. Under BharatNet, 59,916 FTTH connections have been provided in Karnataka, including 1,695 in Bengaluru.
Key Entities Referenced
PM-WANI: Framework allowing Public Data Offices to set up Wi-Fi hotspots.
BharatNet: Government project to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages.
Karnataka: Indian state where BharatNet Phase II progress is being reviewed.
Ministry of Communications: The ministry responsible for answering the question regarding BharatNet connectivity.
Bengaluru: City in Karnataka mentioned in relation to Wi-Fi coverage.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1682
ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025
REVIEWED PROGRESS OF BHARATNET CONNECTIVITY
1682. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of BharatNet Phase II and other Digital
India connectivity initiatives in Karnataka and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the review has identified gaps in last-mile fibre connectivity or public Wi-Fi
coverage in urban areas such as Bengaluru and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether additional approvals or funds have been sanctioned to address these gaps under
BharatNet, PM-WANI or related schemes;
(d) the progress made so far in implementing these enhancements in Karnataka; and
(e) whether Bengaluru is included in the current rollout timeline and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis across the
country. A total of 6,084 GPs are service-ready out of 6,086 GPs in Karnataka.
(b) & (c) The Government has approved the PM-WANI framework, which allows Public Data
Offices (PDOs) to set up Wi-Fi hotspots, under the aggregation of Public Data Office Aggregators
(PDOAs), thus encouraging local entrepreneurs to participate in the digital transformation process.
(d) & (e) There are 21,834 PM-WANI hotspots in Karnataka of which 11,692 PM-WANI
hotspots are available in Bengaluru. Under BharatNet, 59,916 FTTH connections have been provided
in Karnataka, out of which 1,695 are in Bengaluru.
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