Indian state-owned telecommunications company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is in a plan to connect 1 Lakh Village Panchayats in a year by providing high-speed broadband connections, until the Government’s rural broadband projects finally rolls out.

“Laying fibre Network require huge amount of physical labour. A pilot has been set up to test broadband connectivity to Village panchayats using Wi-Fi network. With this we are hopeful of connecting about 1 lakh village panchayats in a year,” Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and MD, BSNL, said.

Vihaan Networks, a telecom equipment manufacturer specifically for rural markets, is in partnership with BSNL in implementing the project in villages.

“Government is exploring best possible technological options to expedite the implementation of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). With this Wi-Fi-based technology, we are able to deliver benefits of broadband in villages where there is no connectivity,” Rajiv Mehrotra, Chairman, Vihaan Networks, said.

Till now, 6km of wireless network has been set-up using Wi-Fi towers in three villages in Bhiwadi, namely Karenda, Phalsa and Bahadri. We have been able to provide test connections in the villages, including some select residents and schools.

Through high speed broadband internet, BSNL aims to connect at least 1 Lakh villages in a year and whole country by 2018.

Connecting villages and small rural areas with each other as well as urban regions will initiate effective communication and provide more opportunities to residents of these areas.