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Telecom equipment manufacturer HFCL Ltd and its consortium partners have been declared the lowest bidder for broadband network projects under BharatNet Phase III, amounting to approximately Rs 13,000 crore. The projects aim to extend high-speed internet to all 6.4 lakh villages in India, focusing on the UP East, UP West, and Punjab regions.

HFCL’s bids were submitted through consortium partnerships for the Uttar Pradesh circles and independently for the Punjab circle. In collaboration with Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) and Aerial Telecom Solutions Private Limited, the company was named the lowest bidder for a combined project worth Rs 6,925 crore in Uttar Pradesh. According to HFCL’s filing, the consortium has secured a 10-year operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement, with rates of 5.5% of the capital expenditure (capex) for the first five years and 6.5% for the subsequent five years. The O&M component is projected to be valued at Rs 4,155 crore after the network’s initial commissioning.

Additionally, HFCL emerged as the top bidder for the Punjab circle, winning a standalone bid valued at Rs 1,244 crore. The company is also expected to receive a 10-year O&M contract worth Rs 746 crore, with similar annual capex rates for maintenance.

Mahendra Nahata, HFCL’s Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm about the continued collaboration with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and highlighted the company’s robust product portfolio. “We are committed to supporting the BharatNet Phase III initiative with our advanced solutions, including optical fibre cables, routers, and power management systems,” Nahata said.

BharatNet Phase III is a step in bridging the digital divide, targeting over 250,000 gram panchayats (GPs) and ensuring equitable broadband access across the nation. The initiative focuses on deploying high-speed fibre-optic networks to enhance services like e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and remote areas, with each GP expected to have a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps.

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