KPTCL to commercialise dark fibre, expects additional revenue of ₹130 crore
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) plans to lease its surplus dark fibre network to telecom providers to generate ₹130 crore in revenue. The 15-year project aims to optimize public infrastructure while supporting digital connectivity across the state.
Why it matters
This initiative demonstrates a model for state-owned utilities to monetize existing assets to fund infrastructure and improve regional digital access.
Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) will commercialise the surplus ‘Dark Fibre’ available on its 6,119-kilometre Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) fibre network, a move that is expected to generate substantial long-term revenue for the corporation while supporting the expansion of Karnataka’s digital connectivity ecosystem.
Under the initiative, KPTCL will retain 12 out of its 24 optical fibre pairs for its captive grid communication requirements and lease the remaining 12 fibre pairs to licenced telecom service providers, data network companies and other authorised service providers.
Following the completion of a competitive bidding process, the project is expected to generate approximately ₹130 crore in fixed revenue for KPTCL over the 15-year contract period. In addition, the corporation will receive 40% of the revenue generated from leasing the dark fibre, along with co-location charges wherever KPTCL substation infrastructure is utilised.
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