ITI-Tera Software Consortium Clinches Rs. 1,901 Cr. BharatNet Order
ITI Ltd. in consortium with Tera Software has secured an Advanced Work Order (AWO) for works valued at Rs. 1,901.11 crore pertaining to the ongoing BharatNet Phase-3 project. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) is the awarding entity for this order.
BharatNet Middle Mile Network Execution in North-East
ITI-Tera Software consortium (led by ITI), will develop and maintain middle-mile network* under package 15 of BharatNet Phase-3. This package covers areas in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. The ITI-led consortium had emerged as the L1 bidder for this package in November 2024.
*Middle-mile network connects the local area network to the greater internet infrastructure.
Scope of work in package 15 of BharatNet phase-3 entails design, supply, construction and installation of middle-mile network in the aforementioned northeastern states. Subsequent operation and maintenance of this network is also covered by this package.
Value Breakup of ITI-Tera Software’s Order
ITI-Tera Software consortium will execute works worth Rs. 1,168.06 crore to lay middle-mile network in the aforementioned North-Eastern states. Following this, the consortium will provide Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services for 10 years, valued at Rs. 700.84 crore for this network. Apart from this, O&M services valued at Rs. 32.21 crore will be provided by ITI-Tera Software consortoium for already existing network in the aforementioned states.
Optical Fibre Connectivity to 2.46 Lakh Gram Panchayats
BharatNet will provide Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.46 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) in ring topology layout. More GPs can be connected to the ring topology via Optical Fibre subsequently. Routers, power backup, and Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS) will be be placed at these Gram Panchayats. This will enable IP-MPLS (Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching) protocol-based connectivity at the GPs.
The ongoing phase-3 of BharatNet targets strengthening of existing network alongside laying of new network for better connectivity in rural areas. A minimum of 100 Mbps bandwidth will be offered to each GP connected in BharatNet phase-3.
Tenders worth Rs. 65,000 crore were issued by BSNL in 2024 for BharatNet Phase-3, which is currently ongoing. The Union Cabinet had approved a total of Rs. 42,000 crore for phases-1 and 2 of BharatNet project collectively, and as of 31st December 2023, Rs. 39,825 crore had been disbursed for these two phases.
About ITI Ltd.: ITI Ltd. is an Indian Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) which was established in 1948. The company has manufacturing units in UP’s Naini, Manakpur, Rae Bareily, Bengaluru and Palakkad. ITI also has an R&D centre in Bengaluru.