Belagavi Gets Karnataka’s 3rd Internet Exchange – Thanks to Ajit Patil’s FAAST Networks

When we talk about the “internet,” most people imagine broadband cables, Wi-Fi routers, or data plans from telecom companies. But behind the scenes, the internet is a vast web of networks talking to each other, and one of the most important pieces in this puzzle is something called an Internet Exchange.

An Internet Exchange (IX) is akin to a central marketplace where various Internet networks meet and exchange data directly with one another. Think of it like the Belagavi APMC market – instead of a trader sending produce all the way to Bengaluru to be sold and then brought back, the exchange allows local farmers and buyers to trade directly here. Similarly, an Internet Exchange ensures that internet data doesn’t always have to travel far (say via Bengaluru or Mumbai) before reaching you. The result? Faster speeds, lower costs, and better reliability.

And now, Belagavi has its own Internet Exchange – only the third in Karnataka after Bengaluru and Mangaluru – set up by none other than FAAST Networks (officially Outofbox Networks Pvt Ltd), a homegrown ISP founded by Ajit Patil in 2016. Furthermore, this initiative is supported by NIXI (National Internet Exchange of India), the government body responsible for managing India’s IP addresses and internet exchange infrastructure.

Why This is a Big Deal for Belagavi

Until now, whenever internet data was accessed in Belagavi, much of it had to be routed through exchanges in bigger cities. That meant longer travel for your data and slower access for you. With the new Internet Exchange in Belagavi:

• Faster Internet: Local data will stay local. If two users in Belagavi are on different networks but accessing the same content, it doesn’t have to go all the way to Bengaluru and back.
• Cheaper Connectivity: Internet providers save on costs by not paying heavy transit fees to external carriers. These savings trickle down to customers.
• Boost for IT & Startups: Faster, more reliable internet makes Belagavi a more attractive hub for IT companies, startups, and data-driven businesses that otherwise might only consider cities like Bengaluru.
• Local Empowerment: This puts Belagavi on the national internet map, showing that smaller cities can drive tech innovation too.

FAAST Networks – A Journey Rooted in Belagavi

Allaboutbelgaum has been tracking Ajit Patil’s journey since 2016, when FAAST Networks first entered the market with first-ever 100Mbps fiber internet. (Read the story here).

FAAST’s story is remarkable because it started in 2016 when there was no fiber internet available in Belagavi. It became the first-ever company in Belagavi to obtain an ISP license, pioneering the city’s entry into the digital era.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, FAAST went beyond business and extended a helping hand to the community. It offered free internet lines to all government departments throughout the lockdown period, ensuring that essential services stayed connected. The famous ₹299/month student plan was also launched during COVID restrictions to make sure students could attend their online classes without financial burden. (Read the story here).

FAAST also contributed to Belagavi’s startup ecosystem by offering a free 100 Mbps internet leased line at the VTU VIRF Incubation Centre, helping budding entrepreneurs access the high-speed connectivity they needed to build their ventures.

Alongside these initiatives, FAAST has also driven the Gram Connect Mission, aimed at connecting villages across Belagavi district with high-speed fiber internet (Read here). While larger companies focused on urban profits, FAAST quietly built bridges to rural India, proving that connectivity is as much about community as it is about technology.

Changing the IT Landscape of Belagavi

For long, Belagavi has watched from the sidelines as Bengaluru emerged as India’s Silicon Valley. But initiatives like these are closing the gap. By setting up one of the state’s only Internet Exchanges outside Bengaluru and Mangaluru, FAAST has ensured that Belagavi isn’t just a consumer of technology but also a contributor to India’s digital backbone.

The Internet Exchange will make it easier for local startups to host services, for educational institutions to access cloud platforms, and for IT companies to operate at global standards right from Belagavi. In short, what was once “only possible in Bengaluru” is now happening here.

Beyond Business – Building a Tech Ecosystem

Ajit Patil is not just an entrepreneur; he is also a mentor for tech enthusiasts and startups in Belagavi. Through FAAST and his own efforts, he has inspired and guided a generation of local entrepreneurs who now see that world-class innovation can happen right here in North Karnataka.

The Road Ahead

Belagavi’s new Internet Exchange is more than just a technical milestone. It symbolises how a homegrown company with roots in the city can change the way people connect, work, and innovate. It gives the city a place in India’s internet infrastructure map and strengthens Belagavi’s position as an emerging tech hub.

For the people of Belagavi, this isn’t just about faster Netflix or smoother Zoom calls (though that’s a welcome perk!). It’s about opportunities – for businesses, for students, for rural communities, and for the entire IT ecosystem.

With FAAST Networks leading the way, Belagavi is no longer waiting for Bengaluru. It’s carving its own digital destiny.