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Key Points

The Tamil Nadu government is revolutionizing rural digital access through its ambitious BharatNet project. High-speed internet will soon reach one crore households across the state, with plans starting as low as Rs 199 per month. Optical fibre cables have already been laid across 55,000 kilometres, covering 11,800 villages. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and boost economic opportunities in rural areas.

Key Points: Tamil Nadu's BharatNet Brings High-Speed Internet to Rural Homes

  • Tamil Nadu targeting one crore rural households with internet connectivity
  • Optical fibre cables laid across 55,000 kilometres
  • Internet plans starting from Rs 199 per month
  • 12,525 gram panchayats to be digitally connected
2 min read

TN to roll out high-speed internet for rural households under 'BharatNet' scheme

Tamil Nadu launches ambitious digital connectivity project, targeting one crore rural households with affordable high-speed internet plans

"Our goal is to bridge the digital divide and empower rural communities through accessible internet connectivity - TANFINET Official"

Chennai, May 24

The Tamil Nadu government is set to launch an ambitious initiative to provide high-speed internet access to all rural households in the state, targeting one crore homes per year.

The scheme is being implemented under the Central government’s ‘BharatNet’ project, aimed at bridging the digital divide across rural India. In Tamil Nadu, the project is spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu FiberNet Corporation Ltd (TANFINET). High-speed internet connectivity through optical fibre cables is being established in 12,525 gram panchayats across the state.

The groundwork began in 2018 and has now reached its final phase. So far, optical fibre cables have been laid over a distance of nearly 55,000 kilometres, covering 11,800 villages. Some delays were encountered in certain locations, particularly in forest regions, due to challenges in obtaining clearances and executing cable-laying operations. However, the government has announced that all pending work is expected to be completed by next month.

Currently, notices inviting applications for internet service providers in around 4,000 villages have been published on the official TANFINET website (https://tanfinet.tn.gov.in). Similar notices for an additional 4,000 villages are set to be released in the coming days, with the remainder to follow soon after. The rollout of actual internet connections is scheduled to begin next month.

The government has set a bold target of connecting one crore rural households with high-speed internet within this year. To ensure affordability and wide adoption, internet plans are being tailored to meet both household and business needs. For homes, unlimited internet at 20 Mbps will be offered at a base price of Rs 199 per month. Higher-tier plans of Rs 399 and Rs 499 will provide increased speeds.

For businesses, two initial plans are available, Rs 899 and Rs 1,199, with enhanced bandwidth. Officials have noted that all plans are subject to change based on government discretion and consumer demand. With this digital push, Tamil Nadu aims to enhance rural connectivity, empower digital learning, and boost economic activity through improved internet access.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is a game-changer for rural Tamil Nadu! 🚀 My relatives in villages still struggle with patchy 2G connections. At Rs 199/month, even farmers can afford good internet. Hope they implement this properly without middlemen corruption.
P
Priya M.
As someone who moved from Chennai to my native village during pandemic, I suffered with terrible internet for WFH. Better late than never! But why did forest clearances take so long? These delays hurt students the most during online classes.
S
Suresh V.
Good initiative but 20Mbps is too slow by today's standards. Even in cities we get 100Mbps at similar prices. Rural areas deserve better infrastructure if we want digital India to succeed. Government should think long-term.
M
Malini R.
My NGO works with rural women self-help groups. This connectivity will transform their businesses! They can finally do video calls with buyers across India instead of depending on middlemen. Hope they include digital literacy programs too.
K
Karthik B.
BharatNet is showing results after years! Tamil Nadu implementation seems better than other states. The pricing is very competitive - Jio may need to reduce rates now 😄 Hope they maintain quality and don't compromise on last-mile connectivity.
A
Arjun T.
Connecting 1 crore homes in a year sounds ambitious. Hope they don't rush and compromise quality. Optical fiber is good but what about maintenance? Many government projects fail after initial hype because there's no proper upkeep mechanism.

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