RRVPNL Monetises Spare Fiber Network Through Sterlite Electric Partnership

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Ltd. (RRVPNL) has unlocked the commercial value of its extensive Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) network through a partnership with Sterlite Electric, enabling the state transmission utility to generate revenue from its underutilised fiber infrastructure while supporting Rajasthan's growing digital connectivity requirements.

The initiative comes at a time when demand for high speed broadband infrastructure is increasing across telecom operators, internet service providers (ISPs), data centers and enterprises, driven by the rapid expansion of India's digital economy. While transmission utilities have deployed OPGW networks primarily for power system communication, a substantial portion of the fiber capacity often remains unused.

Recognising the commercial potential of these assets, RRVPNL partnered with Sterlite Electric under the latter's Transaction Partner Model, which allows utilities to monetize spare fiber capacity without developing in house commercial capabilities or diverting attention from their core power transmission operations.

Under the arrangement, Sterlite Electric's Convergence team is responsible for customer acquisition, network marketing, commercial agreements, billing, collections, customer lifecycle management and service delivery. The model enables RRVPNL to participate in the digital infrastructure market without making additional investments or assuming operational complexities associated with commercial fiber services.

The partnership also includes the development of supporting digital infrastructure. Sterlite Electric has expanded the ecosystem by establishing colocation facilities and enabling last mile connectivity solutions through innovative financing structures, enhancing the attractiveness of the network for telecom operators and ISPs seeking reliable and scalable connectivity.

According to the company, the network now extends over approximately 17,000 km of OPGW infrastructure, covering 50 districts and more than 300 towns across Rajasthan. Built on RRVPNL's transmission network and supported by nearly 35,000 transmission towers, it has emerged as one of the state's largest digital infrastructure platforms.

The company said that the network delivers uptime close to 100 percent while creating a sustainable revenue stream for the utility without requiring additional capital expenditure. By utilising existing transmission infrastructure, RRVPNL has converted a previously underused asset into a commercially viable platform supporting both power system communications and digital connectivity.

The collaboration is expected to benefit telecom operators and internet service providers by providing access to an established fiber backbone, reducing the need for fresh network deployment while improving connectivity across Rajasthan. It also strengthens the state's digital ecosystem, supporting economic growth, digital inclusion and technology-led development.

The RRVPNL-Sterlite Electric partnership is being positioned as a scalable model for transmission utilities across India, demonstrating how existing OPGW infrastructure can be leveraged to generate additional revenue while contributing to the country's expanding digital infrastructure landscape.