State-owned BSNL has announced a programme to provide free installation for its Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) internet connections in villages falling in the jurisdiction of its Mysuru Business Area.

A statement here said the BSNL will provide Wi-Fi routers (CPE/ONT) and optical fibre cables completely free of cost under the BharatNet project. 

“No installation charges will be levied. The customers, however, will have to pay a subscription fee,” the statement added.

A BSNL official in Mysuru Business Area, which covers not only Mysuru, but also the adjoining districts of Kodagu, Chamararajanagar and Mandya, said the scheme is applicable only to customers in rural areas that fall under the limits of Gram Panchayats.

The scheme, which is presently on offer for the next 60 days in BSNL’s Mysuru Telecom District, is part of the Government of India’s Department of Telecommunications’ Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative aimed at empowering rural areas by providing free FTTH internet installations in villages and promote rural employment opportunities.

Special affordable plan

As the customers opting for the scheme will have to pay a monthly subscription fee, BSNL introduced a special rural broadband plan priced at ₹259 per month.

“It offers 700 GB of data at 25 Mbps speed, unlimited voice calls, and access to free channels on Prasar Bharati TV, Waves App, and BSNL-Skypro IFTV,” the statement said.

Self-employment opportunity

Rural youth can partner with BSNL by registering as BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs) and earn an income by providing internet services in villages.

Members of the public interested in obtaining a free internet connection or registering as a BharatNet entrepreneur may contact their nearest BSNL Customer Service Centre, said Rajendra Kumar Singh, General Manager, BSNL Mysuru Business Area, in a statement here. 

For further information, interested persons can contact Assistant General Manager (Marketing), BSNL, Mysuru on phone: 0821-2364545 or mobile: 94490 31004. Email: agmcfamys@gmail.com.