Kerala Fiber Optic Network

Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) is a public-funded initiative by the Kerala government that aims to provide high-speed Internet connectivity to the whole Indian state of Kerala.[1] It is the project of the first Pinarayi Vijayan government and was launched in February 2021 to ensure universal Internet connectivity, addressing the issue of the digital divide, and connecting 20 lakh below-poverty-line (BPL) families in Kerala.[2] KFON got the Internet Service Provider Licence from the Department of Telecommunications in 2022, making Kerala the first Indian state to have its own Internet service.[3] In the first phase, K-Fon's internet service will be available in 14,000 economically backward houses and over 30,000 government institutions. The project was inaugurated on 5 June 2023 by the Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan.[4]

Kerala Fiber Optic Network (K-FON)
കേരള ഫൈബർ ഒപ്റ്റിക് നെറ്റ്‌വർക്ക് (കെ-ഫോൺ)
Type of projectPublic
OwnerGovernment of Kerala
CountryIndia
StateKerala
Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan
LaunchedJune 5, 2023 (2023-06-05)
StatusActive
WebsiteK-FON

Overview

The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Bharat Electronics Limited, and KSITI are the stakeholders in the K-FON project.[5] All locations with KSEB electricity posts are intended to receive fast internet, landlines, and cable TV through the K-FON project. More than 20 lakh BPL families in the state are expected to get free internet access, according to the project.[6]

The cable are installed through KSEB's transmission line infrastructure. This technique, to a certain extent, prevents digging the road. Through KSEB's distribution network, the government hopes to reach more than 40 lakh end consumers in their homes and workplaces. This distribution will be handled by regional organisations. With optical fibre cables running through the KSEB network, all state government offices will be switched over to the e-Government platform.[7]

Initially, the government promised to provide free internet access to 20 lakh households in 18 months. Later, the number was revised to 14,000 households in the first phase.[8]

According to KSEB, the total cost of the project is ₹1516.76 crore. KIIFB received a loan of 1061 crores from the central government institution.[9]

References
  1. "Explained | Kerala's own Internet network and service: KFON". The Hindu. 26 July 2022. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  2. "Kerala launches fibre optic network to provide free internet to 20 lakh families". livemint. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  3. Bureau, BW Online. "Centre Approves IP Category 1 License To Kerala Fibre Optic Network". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  4. ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം. "കെഫോൺ കണക്ഷൻ ആദ്യ ഘട്ടത്തിൽ 30,000 സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളിലും 14,000 വീടുകളിലും". Madhyamam. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  5. "Kerala Becomes First State to have Its Own Internet Service K-Fon, All Details Here". News18. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  6. "kerala: Kerala becomes first state to have own internet service - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  7. "Kerala Fibre Optic Network to be monetised". The Hindu. 15 March 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  8. "KFON chief refutes allegations of inflated project cost". www.onmanorama.com. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  9. "k phone kerala plans:എന്താണ് കേരളത്തിന്‍റെ കെ ഫോൺ പദ്ധതി? അറിയേണ്ടതെല്ലാം". Samayam Malayalam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 June 2023.
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