New Delhi: ITI Limited, India’s pioneering public sector telecom manufacturer, has signed a significant Agreement as Project Implementing Agency (PIA) with BSNL on behalf of the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for the NER-II Package-15 of the BharatNet Phase-3 Project. The contract’s total value stands at Rs. 1,901 Crores, covering capital expenditure (capex), operating expenditure (opex) for new network deployment, and maintenance of the existing network.
Comprehensive Scope of NER-II Package-15 Contract
The order includes Rs. 1,168 Crores allocated for capital expenditure and Rs. 700.84 Crores for operating expenses related to the newly constructed network. Additionally, Rs. 32.21 Crores has been earmarked for maintenance opex of the existing network infrastructure. This package primarily covers the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur.
Expansion of BharatNet Phase-3 Portfolio
Alongside Package-15, ITI Limited has also inked agreements with BSNL for Package No. 8 (Himachal Pradesh) and Package No. 9 (West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands), with a consolidated order value of Rs. 5,055 Crores. Together, the three agreements bring ITI’s total BharatNet Phase-3 order value to Rs. 6,956 Crores.
Background: BharatNet Phase-3 Project
The BharatNet Phase-3 initiative, a flagship digital infrastructure project, is segmented into 16 packages covering all states and union territories of India. BSNL had invited tenders under a Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) model for the Middle Mile Network, aiming to enhance rural and remote connectivity across the country.
Leadership Perspective
Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Rajesh Rai, Chairman and Managing Director of ITI Limited, said,
“We are very happy to sign the agreement with BSNL on behalf of USOF for execution of yet another package of the prestigious BharatNet Phase-3 Project. This is indeed a very challenging project and I am grateful to BSNL for reposing their faith yet again on ITI. My team is all set and we will give our best to complete this project to the complete satisfaction of our client.“
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About ITI Limited
Founded post-independence as India’s first Public Sector Undertaking in telecom manufacturing, ITI Limited has been a key player in driving the country’s telecommunications and digital infrastructure. The company continues to expand its footprint through strategic projects like BharatNet, supporting India’s vision for a digitally connected future.
