Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is working to provide high-speed internet access to all 191 Gram Panchayats across Goa under the Bharat Net Project, said L. B. Lal, General Manager (GM), Goa Circle. He was speaking at a media interaction convened as part of the celebrations of 25 years of BSNL, at Goa Sanchar Bhavan, Patto, Panaji, today, September 30.
Elaborating on the project, Lal said that the initiative would involve the laying of 1500 kilometres of optical fiber.
“The initiative aims to provide connectivity with a backbone capacity of up to 100 Gbps. Survey work is already underway, with cable-laying expected to commence in October 2025,” he said.
A unique aspect of BSNL Goa’s business model is the engagement of local youth and entrepreneurs as Telecom Infra Providers. These individuals will assist in extending BSNL’s FTTH services and play a key role in the Bharat Net Project, creating both employment and economic opportunities within Goa’s rural areas, he said.
As part of BSNL’s 4G saturation project, the company is bringing 4G mobile services to the remotest parts of Goa, Lal said. “Currently, 52 villages have been identified for this initiative. While 30 of these villages already have access to BSNL’s 4G services, the remaining villages are expected to be covered in the next three to four months. Despite the geographical and land allotment challenges, the efforts of various State government departments like Revenue, IT, Forest, and both the District Collectorates have ensured the success of this project,” he said.
In Goa, BSNL’s impact has been especially notable in the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide. As part of its broader vision, BSNL is not only providing mobile and landline services but is also fulfilling its social responsibility through initiatives funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the GM said.
Sunita Chari, Internal Financial Advisor, and Deputy General Managers of the company Varmala Kulkarni, Anand G Kulkarni, A Basavraj and K. C. Patel were present at the event, along with other officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at an event in Odisha on 27th September, had inaugurated BSNL’s Swadeshi 4G network and close to 98,000 Mobile 4G towers across the country including at Morpila-Quepem, South Goa. The indigenous 4G network is fully software driven, cloud based, with future-ready design and seamlessly upgradable to 5G. BSNL completes 25 years of service on 1st October, 2025.
