K-fon: Kerala's ambitious project to provide free internet to millions

Kerala, a state in southern India, has become the first in the country to have its own internet service provider, K-fon. K-fon, which stands for Kerala Fibre Optic Network, is a state government initiative that aims to eliminate the digital gap and provide high-speed internet connectivity to all government, educational institutions and 20 lakhs below poverty line (BPL) families in the state.

The project was launched on July 15, 2022 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who said that internet is a basic right and not a luxury. He also said that K-fon will complement the existing telecom ecosystem in the state and act as an information super-highway for various sectors such as education, health, agriculture, e-governance and entertainment.

K-fon is a joint venture of equal partnership between Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Ltd (KSITIL) and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB), with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) as the system integrator. The project involves laying 30,000 km of fiber optic cable and setting up 375 network point of presence locations across the state. The fiber optic cable will be laid parallel to the electric power network of KSEB, which will also provide power backup and security for the network.

K-fon is based on principles of non-discriminatory treatment as recommended by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), without any preferential treatment to any service provider or business segment. Essentially, it will allow any provider at any level in the business strata– telecom service provider/internet service provider/multi-system operator/local cable operator – to leverage the infrastructure created by K-fon and offer services to the end users at competitive rates.

According to the government, K-fon will benefit various sections of society, especially the marginalized and rural communities, who have been deprived of quality internet access due to high costs and poor coverage. It will also enable digital empowerment and inclusion of women, children, senior citizens and differently abled persons. Moreover, it will boost the state's economy and create employment opportunities for thousands of youth.

The government has allocated Rs 1028 crore for the project, out of which Rs 823 crore has been raised from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), a financial institution set up by the state government to fund large-scale infrastructure projects. The remaining amount will be met by KSITIL and KSEB through their equity participation in the joint venture.

The project is expected to be completed by June 2023, according to K-fon's managing director Shyam Srinivasan. He said that K-fon will reach 14,000 families in the first phase and gradually expand its coverage to all eligible beneficiaries. He also said that K-fon will offer various plans and packages for different segments of users, ranging from free to premium services.

K-fon is seen as a landmark project that showcases Kerala's vision and leadership in harnessing technology for social welfare and development. It is also expected to inspire other states in India to follow suit and provide affordable and universal internet access to their citizens.

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Nitin Panwar 

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@iQOO Connect