HFCL- Consortium Partners Emerges Lowest Bidders with Multiple Bids for BharatNet Phase III Project

HFCL-Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL)-Aerial Telecom Solutions Private Limited, a Consortium has been declared as the Lowest Bidder by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), for bids valued at Rs 6,925 Crores to provide a middle-mile network in Uttar Pradesh (East) and Uttar Pradesh (West) under the BharatNet Phase III program of the Government of India.

Additionally, the Consortium will be awarded 10 years of O&M orders at an annual rate of 5.5% of capex for 1st five years and 6.5% for the subsequent five years which will be worth Rs 4,155 Crores, after commissioning of the first ring of network.

HFCL has also emerged as the top bidder for Punjab Circle for a bid value of Rs 1244 Crores in the BharatNet phase III tenders, on a standalone basis.

Furthermore, HFCL is expected to secure 10 years of O&M orders valued at around Rs 746 Crores with annual rates of 5.5% per annum of capex for 1st five years and 6.5% per annum of capex for the next five years, after commissioning of the first ring of network.

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Mr. Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL said, “Our proven track record in executing strategically critical projects, strengthens our standing as a trusted partner of the Government of India. HFCL is well placed with a diverse product line that includes routers, optical fiber cables, fiber connectivity solutions, transport solutions, power management solutions, etc., to address the needs of the BharatNet Phase III program. As a trusted BSNL partner, we look forward to continued collaborations and contributing significantly to the success of BharatNet Phase-III program.” The BharatNet Project is a landmark initiative by the Indian Government aimed at extending high-speed broadband connectivity to rural areas across the nation.

 

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The BharatNet Phase III is set to link all 640,000 villages in India with high-speed internet, targeting over 250,000 gram panchayats. It aims to deliver a minimum of 100 Mbps bandwidth at each GP, bringing every GP online.

This phase is poised to greatly enhance rural broadband infrastructure, opening new opportunities for established telecom service providers and new internet service providers to expand their networks into rural India. Private sector involvement in middle-mile connectivity and local entrepreneurs in last-mile connectivity will drive local entrepreneurship, strengthening rural communities nationwide.

The Company is dedicated to executing this landmark project in close partnership with BSNL and the Government’s vision of a ‘Digital India,’ aiming to close the digital gap, especially in rural and underserved regions.

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