The government of Odisha has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs), including one for the implementation of BharatNet Phase 3, which aims to extend high-speed optical fibre internet connectivity to over 50,000 villages across the state over the next three years.
The BharatNet MoU was signed among the state’s Electronics and Information Technology department, Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Department of Telecommunications and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. Under the revised programme, the central government will invest more than Rs 33.84 billion to upgrade 6,799-gram panchayats with IP-MPLS, a high-performance networking technology, and a ring topology network. The project also envisages the expansion of fibre-to-the-home connectivity to rural households. Optical fibre connectivity hubs will be established at the block and gram panchayat levels, with each functioning as a data exchange centre from which fibre connections will extend to individual households, providing the backbone for digital education, telemedicine, e-governance and other online services.
The second MoU, signed between the Odisha Computer Application Centre and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, will promote collaboration in emerging technologies, research and digital governance, with a focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced digital solutions to improve the efficiency, transparency, security and accessibility of government services.