Kerala Becomes The First State To Launch It's Own Internet Service, Know What`s KFON

Kerala Becomes the First State in India to Launch Its Own Internet Service

Kerala, a state in southern India, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first state in the country to launch its own internet service provider, the Kerala Fiber Optic Network (KFON) project. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide free internet access to below poverty line (BPL) families and government offices.

What is KFON?

KFON is an ambitious IT infrastructure project of the Kerala government that was launched on June 5, 2023 by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The project involves laying down over 35,000 km of optical fiber cables across the state to establish a high-speed broadband network. KFON has installed IT infrastructure capable of setting up 40 lakh internet connections across the state.

Why is KFON important?

KFON is important for several reasons. First, it will ensure internet access for all, as Kerala was the first state to declare internet connection as a basic right in 2019. KFON will provide free internet to 20 lakh BPL families and 30,000 government offices. Second, it will boost the digital literacy and e-governance initiatives of the state, as well as support the education, health, agriculture and tourism sectors. Third, it will create new opportunities for entrepreneurship and innovation, as consumers can access internet services at a speed starting at 20 mbps and can avail connections at higher speeds based on individual requirements.

How was KFON implemented?

KFON was implemented with the support of various agencies and stakeholders. The project cost Rs 1,548 crore, of which Rs 1,028 crore was funded by Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and Rs 520 crore by BharatNet. The project was executed by a consortium of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel). The Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) and Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL) were the nodal agencies for the project.

What are the future plans for KFON?

KFON has successfully completed its pilot run and has provided internet connectivity to 26,492 government offices and more than 1,000 household subscribers as of June 2023. The project aims to complete the installation of cables for over 7 lakh connections by August 2023 and expand to setting up commercial connections. It is estimated that 2.5 lakh commercial connections will be provided in the first year, which could facilitate the profitability of the project. KFON also plans to offer value-added services such as IPTV, OTT platforms, cloud computing and e-learning platforms in the future.

How KFON will impact Kerala's society and economy

KFON is not just a technological project, but a social and economic one as well. It will have a positive impact on various aspects of Kerala's society and economy, such as:

- Digital literacy and inclusion: KFON will enable millions of people, especially those from marginalized and rural communities, to access the internet and benefit from the digital services and opportunities. It will also enhance the digital literacy and skills of the people, making them more employable and productive.

- E-governance and transparency: KFON will facilitate the delivery of various government services and schemes to the citizens in a faster and more efficient manner. It will also improve the transparency and accountability of the government by enabling online monitoring and feedback mechanisms.

- Education and health: KFON will support the education and health sectors by providing online learning and telemedicine platforms. It will also enable students and teachers to access quality educational resources and courses from anywhere. It will also improve the health outcomes and awareness of the people by providing online consultation and diagnosis services.

- Agriculture and tourism: KFON will help the farmers and tourism operators in Kerala by providing them with online marketplaces and information platforms. It will also enable them to access weather forecasts, crop advisories, best practices, booking services and customer feedback. It will also promote the local culture and heritage of Kerala to a global audience.

- Entrepreneurship and innovation: KFON will create a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation in Kerala by providing affordable and reliable internet access to the startups and SMEs. It will also enable them to access cloud computing, e-commerce, fintech and other emerging technologies. It will also foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among the youth and professionals in Kerala.

Conclusion

KFON is a landmark project that showcases Kerala's vision and commitment to digital empowerment and social justice. It is a public sector initiative that will benefit millions of people in the state and set an example for other states in India. KFON is not just an internet service provider, but a catalyst for transformation and development.

KFON is a game-changer for Kerala's society and economy. It will empower the people with digital rights and opportunities, enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the government services, support the key sectors of education, health, agriculture and tourism, and create a vibrant ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation. KFON is not just an internet service provider, but a partner in progress for Kerala.

Source: 

(1) Kerala Becomes the First State in India to Launch Its Own Internet Service. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/kerala-becomes-first-state-india-launch-its-own-internet-jakhar.

(2) Internet for all: Kerala first state to set up own service provider. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/internet-for-all-kerala-first-state-to-set-up-own-service-provider/ar-AA1ccRoS.

(3) Kerala Becomes The First State To Launch It's Own Internet Service, Know What's KFON. https://www.msn.com/en-in/video/other/kerala-becomes-the-first-state-to-launch-it-s-own-internet-service-know-what-s-kfon/ar-AA1cihkH.

(4) Kerala becomes first state to have its own internet service provider K-FON: All you need to know. https://www.hindustantimes.com/technology/kerala-free-internet-scheme-what-is-kfon-state-internet-service-provider-digital-divide-e-literacy-101686027108447.html.

(5) Kerala becomes first state to have own internet service. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kerala-first-state-own-internet-service-1975770-2022-07-14.

(6) Internet for all: Kerala first state to set up own service provider. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/internet-for-all-kerala-becomes-first-state-to-have-its-own-internet-service-provider-kfon-2389619-2023-06-06.

FAQ's

Who launched the first internet service in India?

Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) Its full form is Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL). It was the first publicly available internet service in India. It was incorporated as a public sector enterprise in 1986. It is now known as Tata Communications.

Which state provide free Internet in India first?

Launching the service, Vijayan said, "Finally, #Kerala has realized the dream of becoming the first state with its own internet service! It was a proud moment to dedicate #KFON to the people. It offers free internet connections to 20 lakh families, thus ending the digital divide by ensuring internet access for all."

Which is the first Indian state to declare internet as fundamental right?

Kerala In India, Kerala was the first state to declare access to Internet, a basic human right.

When did internet first start in India?

In India, the first internet connection was established in 1986, making it one of the earliest adopters of the technology. It began with the launch of the Education and Research Network (ERNET) in 1986, initially aimed at providing internet connectivity to academic and research institutions.