Digital Bharat Nidhi & Andhra Pradesh Sign MoC for Expedited Amended BharatNet Rollout

New Delhi, February 23, 2026: In a significant move to strengthen rural digital infrastructure, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and the Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for the expedited rollout of the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP). The event took place on February 22, 2026, at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office, Tadepalle, Guntur District.

The signing was held in the august presence of:

Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister for Communications
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development
Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

The MoC was executed by Mr. Shyamal Misra, IAS, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi, and Mr. Movva Tirumala Krishna Babu, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Infrastructure and Investment Department, Andhra Pradesh.

Key Highlights of the Partnership:

Financial Support: ₹2,432 crore approved for Andhra Pradesh
Coverage: 13,426 Gram Panchayats, including upgrades from Phase I and Phase II and connectivity to 3,942 villages on demand
Expected Impact: Over 5 lakh rural home fiber connections, enhanced 4G saturation, improved digital governance, and expanded access to online education, e-governance, telemedicine, and digital payments

Statements from Leaders:

Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia emphasized the scale of the Amended BharatNet Programme, calling it a ₹1.39 lakh crore publicly funded initiative to bring optical fiber broadband to every village in India, enabling the “democratization of technology” for all citizens.

Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar highlighted that the MoC establishes a structured framework for swift state-led implementation, combining financial support with accountability to strengthen last-mile connectivity.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the MoC as a milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s digital transformation, noting that seamless broadband access will empower rural communities and enhance service delivery in education, healthcare, and governance.

Implementation Framework:

Special Purpose Vehicle: Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL)
Network Upgrades: Phase I Gram Panchayats upgraded from linear to ring topology, Phase II coverage, and inclusion of newly created Gram Panchayats
Collaboration: State government to provide Right of Way (RoW), infrastructure access, and coordination support while DBN provides major financial and technical backing

The Amended BharatNet Programme was approved by the Union Cabinet on August 4, 2023, aiming to upgrade, consolidate, and expand BharatNet infrastructure for a future-ready rural broadband network.

This MoC underscores the shared commitment of the Union Government and Andhra Pradesh to accelerate digital inclusion, strengthen telecommunications infrastructure, and advance India’s vision of a digitally empowered society.