Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has announced a significant initiative to commercialise surplus 'dark fibre' on its extensive network. According to reports from Business Standard, the corporation will retain 12 of its 24 optical fibre pairs for captive grid communication requirements while leasing the remaining 12 pairs to licensed telecom service providers, data network companies and other authorised service providers on a commercial basis.
The commercialisation project is expected to generate approximately ₹130 crore in fixed revenue for KPTCL over the 15-year contract period following completion of competitive bidding. As reported by Business Standard, KPTCL will receive 40 per cent of the revenue generated from leasing the dark fibre, along with co-location charges wherever its substation infrastructure is used. The selected agency will be responsible for marketing and leasing the dark fibre, onboarding customers, operating and maintaining the entire optical ground wire network, billing, revenue collection and ensuring service quality throughout the contract period.
According to Business Standard, 'dark fibre' refers to unused, unlit optical fibre in KPTCL's existing network that is not currently carrying data. The initiative is expected to generate substantial long-term revenue for the corporation while supporting the expansion of Karnataka's digital connectivity ecosystem. KPTCL officials stated that the agreement will provide the corporation with a fixed annual fee in addition to revenue-sharing benefits, creating a sustainable long-term revenue model through optimal utilisation of public infrastructure.
Karnataka Minister for Energy and Tourism K J George emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative, stating that KPTCL is no longer just a power transmission utility but is also playing a significant role in building Karnataka's digital infrastructure. As reported by Business Standard, the minister noted that commercialising the surplus dark fibre is an excellent example of optimising public assets. The initiative is expected to accelerate the growth of high-speed digital connectivity and the digital economy across the state, creating sustainable long-term revenue streams for KPTCL while strengthening the state's digital infrastructure.
