The recent launch of the State Network Operations Center (S-NOC) by ITI Limited in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, marks a significant moment in the implementation of BharatNet Phase-III. While the project aligns with India’s broader digital connectivity goals, its success in a challenging terrain like Himachal Pradesh will depend heavily on execution and sustained oversight.
S-NOC, which will be managed in coordination with BSNL, is intended to serve as the nerve center for monitoring and managing the network’s performance across the state. The plan includes connecting 3,615 gram panchayats to 91 block headquarters using 10 Gbps bandwidth, with the network eventually reaching over 15,000 villages through approximately 20,000 kilometers of optical fiber.
ITI Limited, awarded this project as the lowest bidder (L1) in November 2024, has been tasked with building and maintaining the middle-mile network under the Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) model. The scale of the project is considerable, with an order value of Rs. 5,050 crore spanning multiple states, including West Bengal and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
What makes this project noteworthy is not just the size, but the geographical and logistical hurdles it presents. Himachal Pradesh is not an easy state for infrastructure rollout. The real test will be whether the project can stick to timelines, maintain quality standards, and ensure that connectivity isn’t just deployed but remains reliable over time.
The implications of this network go beyond broadband speeds. In theory, it should facilitate access to digital public services, improve educational resources, and enhance healthcare delivery in rural areas. But much will depend on how effectively the last-mile connectivity is executed and maintained, and whether local communities are actually able to benefit from it.
The presence of senior officials from ITI Limited and BSNL at the launch indicates institutional backing, but the real outcomes will be measured in how the infrastructure performs over the long term — especially once initial rollouts are complete and day-to-day management begins.
As it stands, BharatNet Phase-III in Himachal Pradesh is less a celebration than a critical benchmark. If implemented well, it can offer a framework for connectivity in other remote regions. If not, it could become another underutilized asset in the name of digital inclusion.