November 13, 2024 — STL, a leader in Optical and Digital solutions, has been awarded the Jammu & Kashmir leg of the BharatNet III project. Partnering with Dilip Buildcon Limited, STL will lead this project worth ₹2600 crore, which includes ₹1,625 crore for capital expenses and ₹975 crore for operations and maintenance.

This project is pivotal for STL, marking another step in its mission to “Transform Billions of Lives by Connecting the World.” The project is part of BharatNet’s vision to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to underserved regions in India.

STL’s approach focuses on automation-led fibre deployment, incorporating technologies like drone surveys, GIS mapping, and AI-driven network design. According to STL, this strategy enables fibre deployment 26% faster than conventional methods and reduces fibre cuts by nearly four times.

Also read | BSNL Expands 4G Network to India’s Remote Regions

Proven Expertise in Challenging Terrains

This is not STL’s first major project in Jammu & Kashmir. The company previously managed the Network for Spectrum (NFS) project, which created a secure 10,000-kilometer network for the Indian Armed Forces. Now, STL aims to extend broadband access to villages across Jammu & Kashmir, supporting improvements in education, healthcare, and economic development.

Successful Track Record in BharatNet Projects

STL has been a trusted partner in previous BharatNet projects, delivering the Mahanet project in Maharashtra and T-Fibre in Telangana. The company has laid over 150,000 kilometers of fibre across India, cementing its reputation as a leader in network infrastructure.

STL’s Global Services CEO, Praveen Cherian, said, “This project is about transforming lives, not just deploying fibre. Our Fibre Automation Solution accelerates deployment by 3X, ensuring higher-quality networks. This is the STL edge, and we’re excited to bring it to BharatNet in Jammu & Kashmir.”