Kerala CM: K-FON to Deliver 2.5 Lakh Internet Connections by Next Year

Quick Summary

• Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON): achieved a milestone of providing one lakh internet connections since its launch and secured a statewide license for delivering internet services in Kerala.
• Chief Minister pinarayi Vijayan stated in the Legislative Assembly that K-FON aims to provide 2.5 lakh connections by next year, ensuring “internet for all” equally across urban and rural areas.
• Free Connections: 14,194 households from economically weaker sections and tribal households (103 in Kottoor,Thiruvananthapuram; 396 in Attappady,Palakkad) received free internet using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
• Government Offices: 23,355 offices now connected via K-FON; additional active connections include:

– 79,123 commercial FTTH connections
– 220 leased-line internet services
– 265 broadband links to corporate establishments/small enterprises
– Overall total: 1,19,910 active subscriptions.

• Infrastructure Details: The network leverages ADSS and OPGW cables owned by the Kerala State Electricity board (KSEB),featuring over 30,272 km of laid fibre optic cables. It operates through Infopark’s central hub with Points of Presence at 375 substations statewide.
• Complaints regarding poor speed and customer service are reportedly being addressed.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The achievements under the K-FON initiative reflect progress toward Kerala’s enterprising goal of universal access to affordable internet. By connecting both urban hubs and economically weaker or tribal communities alike under a unified framework facilitated by CSR funding,the program demonstrates inclusivity. Moreover, integrating digital infrastructure into government operations is poised to improve administrative efficiency while cutting costs related to redundant services.

On implementation challenges like limited speeds or service quality complaints raised publicly yet dismissed by CM Vijayan-these may require sustained technical refinement for greater user satisfaction over time. With plans underway to expand coverage threefold within a year alongside robust infrastructural investments like optical cable deployment across districts-success could position Kerala as a national benchmark in ICT accessibility.

Read more at The Hindu.