ITI Limited, India’s premier telecom PSU, has initiated the establishment of a State Network Operations Center (S-NOC) in Solan, Himachal Pradesh as part of the BharatNet Phase-III Project, in coordination with BSNL. This marks a major milestone in India’s mission to expand rural digital connectivity under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
The project will see ITI monitor and manage the performance, availability, and security of the BharatNet network infrastructure in the state, connecting 3,615 gram panchayats to 91 block headquarters via 10 Gbps bandwidth. These will link to BSNL’s IP-MPLS Ring Network, eventually extending high-speed broadband access to 15,538 villages. The initiative involves laying over 20,000 km of optical fiber cable (OFC) across Himachal Pradesh.
“This is a significant step towards digital empowerment of rural India. Despite Himachal’s geographical challenges, we are confident of completing this project on time and contributing to India’s digital revolution,” said Mr. Rajesh Rai, CMD of ITI Limited.
The project is part of a broader win by ITI Limited, which secured BharatNet Phase-III contracts worth Rs 5,050 crore across Himachal Pradesh (Package 8), West Bengal, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Package 9).
The recent event in Solan was graced by top officials including Anil Kumar Gupta (CGM, BSNL), Rajeev Srivastava (Director – Finance, ITI), and Namita (GM, ITI), showcasing the collaborative approach between public sector entities to fast-track the government’s digital inclusion goals.
About ITI Limited
ITI Limited is India’s first PSU post-independence and a telecom equipment manufacturing leader. With advanced facilities in six locations and a dedicated R&D centre in Bengaluru, the company delivers telecom, defense, and smart infrastructure solutions. Its portfolio includes GPON, NGN, Wi-Fi, HDPE pipes, smart cards, encryptors, and LED systems, with turnkey execution capabilities across India.
