Ajay Kumar at 21:21, 29 August 2023

2023-08-29T21:21:34Z

New page

{{Short description|Special-purpose company of the government of Kerala, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox project
| abbreviation = K-FON
| native_name = കെ ഫോൺ
| logo =
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| slogan =
| launched ={{Start date and age|2023|06|05|df=n}}
|state = Kerala
| country = India
| key_people =
| chiefminister = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| current_status = Active
| website = {{URL|https://kfon.kerala.gov.in/|K-FON}}
}}
'''Kerala Fibre Optic Network''' (K-FON) is a public-funded initiative by the [[Government of Kerala|Kerala government]] that aims to provide high-speed Internet connectivity to the whole Indian state of [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-07-26 |title=Explained {{!}} Kerala’s own Internet network and service: KFON |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/explained-keralas-own-internet-network-and-service-kfon/article65653920.ece |access-date=2023-06-03 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is the project of the [[First Vijayan ministry|first Pinarayi Vijayan government]] and was launched in February 2021 to ensure universal [[Internet access|Internet connectivity]], addressing the issue of the digital divide, and connecting 20 lakh [[Below Poverty Line|below-poverty-line]] (BPL) families in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-15 |title=Kerala launches fibre optic network to provide free internet to 20 lakh families |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/kerala-launches-fibre-optic-network-to-provide-free-internet-to-20-lakh-families-11613399705323.html |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=livemint |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bureau |first=BW Online |title=Centre Approves IP Category 1 License To Kerala Fibre Optic Network |url=http://businessworld.inhttps//www.businessworld.in/article/Centre-Approves-IP-Category-1-License-To-Kerala-Fibre-Optic-Network/08-07-2022-436093 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=BW Businessworld |language=en}}</ref> 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 [[List of chief ministers of Kerala|Chief Minister]] [[Pinarayi Vijayan|Pinarai Vijayan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=ലേഖകൻ |first=മാധ്യമം |title=കെഫോൺ കണക്ഷൻ ആദ്യ ഘട്ടത്തിൽ 30,000 സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ സ്ഥാപനങ്ങളിലും 14,000 വീടുകളിലും |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/k-phone-connection-in-30000-government-institutions-and-14000-households-in-the-first-phase-1166909 |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Madhyamam |language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
The [[Kerala State Electricity Board]] (KSEB), [[Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board]] (KIIFB), [[Bharat Electronics|Bharat Electronics Limited]], and KSITI are the stakeholders in the K-FON project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Becomes First State to have Its Own Internet Service K-Fon, All Details Here |url=https://www.news18.com/news/tech/kerala-becomes-first-state-to-have-its-own-internet-service-k-fon-all-you-need-to-know-5561401.html |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=kerala: Kerala becomes first state to have own internet service - The Economic Times |url=https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/kerala-becomes-first-state-to-have-own-internet-service/amp_articleshow/92883039.cms |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=m.economictimes.com}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-15 |title=Kerala Fibre Optic Network to be monetised |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-fibre-optic-network-to-be-monetised/article66623642.ece |access-date=2023-06-03 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KFON chief refutes allegations of inflated project cost |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/05/31/kfon-md-refutes-inflated-project-cost-allegations.html |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=www.onmanorama.com}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=k phone kerala plans:എന്താണ് കേരളത്തിന്‍റെ കെ ഫോൺ പദ്ധതി? അറിയേണ്ടതെല്ലാം |url=https://malayalam.samayam.com/latest-news/kerala-news/what-is-k-phone-project-by-kerala-government-new-state-run-internet-provider-details-in-malayalam/articleshow/78981879.cms |access-date=2023-06-03 |website=Samayam Malayalam |language=ml}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Internet service providers of India]]
[[Category:2021 establishments in Kerala]]

Kerala Fiber Optic Network - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 21:21, 29 August 2023