Cisco has assumed a leading position in India’s ambitious BharatNet Phase III project by deploying routers manufactured locally to connect over 650,000 villages with high-speed internet. This initiative supports the Indian government’s “Digital India” vision and demonstrates how global technology can flourish through local production.
Central to this transformation is Cisco’s manufacturing facility in Chennai, created in collaboration with Flex. The facility produces routing and switching equipment with a minimum of 50% local value addition, complying with government requirements while also gearing up for $1.3 billion in exports over the next two years. These routers are designed to support BharatNet’s IP-MPLS ring topology, providing low-latency, high-speed connectivity throughout rural India.
Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India & SAARC, highlighted that 70% of BharatNet’s infrastructure relies on Cisco’s equipment. She referred to the initiative as a “huge responsibility,” pointing out that the routers are intended not only for domestic use but also for global deployment, integrating sustainability, scalability, and strategic depth.
The BharatNet Phase III program, which received approval in August 2023 with a budget of ₹1.39 lakh crore, is entirely funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi and executed by BSNL. It encompasses last-mile solutions such as Wi-Fi hotspots, fiber access, and 4G/5G integration, aiming to close the digital gap and facilitate services like e-governance, telemedicine, and online education.
Cisco’s participation goes beyond mere technology deployment—it serves as a model for how multinational corporations can align with national goals while promoting green infrastructure and economic growth. As India strives for self-sufficiency in technology, Cisco’s BharatNet strategy may inspire similar initiatives in MedTech, defense electronics, and AI infrastructure.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter |The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Whatsapp Channel | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Instagram
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is a premier platform dedicated to delivering latest news, updates, and insights from the tech industry. With its strong foundation of intellectual property and thought leadership, the platform is well-positioned to stay ahead of the curve and lead conversations about how technology shapes our world. From its early days as CIO News to its rebranding as The Mainstream on November 28, 2024, it has been expanding its global reach, targeting key markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, the USA, and the UK. The Mainstream is a vision to put technology at the center of every conversation, inspiring professionals and organizations to embrace the future of tech.
