KFON goes national with ISP-A license; crosses 1 lakh connections, eyeing OTT rollout

Business Upturn

4 days ago

Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON), the state-backed broadband initiative, has secured an Internet Service Provider – Category A (ISP-A) license, KFON is now formally positioned to expand its services beyond Kerala, potentially offering connectivity solutions across the country. This national license marks a key turning point, enabling the government-owned network to scale its infrastructure and services outside state borders for the first time. The development comes as the network crosses 1.08 lakh connections since opening to the public in 2023. With preparations underway to launch an affordable OTT platform focused on regional content, KFON is positioning itself not just as a connectivity provider but as a full-fledged digital services player.
With the recent acquisition of the network currently supports over 68,294 commercial FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) users, alongside 23,163 government offices, 14,082 economically backward families provided with free connections, and 2,819 fibre-to-office links. The expansion reflects not just a growing appetite for reliable internet in the state but also the success of KFON's hybrid public-private model.
But perhaps the most ambitious element of KFON's roadmap lies in its entry into digital content. The project is in the final stages of launching its own OTT (over-the-top) platform, which will feature regional entertainment, including South Indian films and television content—at affordable subscription rates. This pivot reflects a strategic shift: from being simply a conduit for data to becoming a digital ecosystem provider catering to Kerala's culturally rooted yet digitally active population.
The numbers behind the infrastructure are equally striking. KFON's backbone spans over 31,000 kilometres of fibre optic cable, routed through 375 Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) substations, based on the Point of Presence (POP), which is centred across the state. The network is managed via a centralised Network Operating Centre (NOC) in Kochi Infopark and is built on a sophisticated ring-based architecture comprising 94 aggregation rings, 186 pre-aggregation rings, and 81 spur centres—designed for scalability and resilience.
Parallel to its OTT ambitions, KFON is working to roll out IPTV services and is in the process of securing Virtual Network Operator (VNO) licenses. The network already offers advanced intranet services such as MPLS L2VPN, L3VPN, and FTTH-based intranet connections, which currently cater to over 3,500 institutions across the state.
The initiative is also backed by the empowering mission to enhance digital inclusion across the state. Under the 'Connecting the Unconnected' initiative, KFON has delivered free high-speed internet access to households in remote and tribal communities. These include 103 families in Kottoor, 300 in Attapadi, and several families in Valanthakad Island near Ernakulam; places that have historically struggled with connectivity.
On the business side, KFON's revenue portfolio includes Internet Lease Line services (serving 220 corporates), SME broadband (265 connections), and dark fibre leasing—with over 7,000 km of fibre already leased to private operators. It also benefits from its partnerships with over 3,800 local internet providers, who assist in last-mile service delivery.
Looking ahead, KFON has set an ambitious target: over 2.5 lakh connections by next year.
Kerala residents and institutions can subscribe via the toll-free helpline 1800 570 4466, the Ente KFON mobile app, or online at www.kfon.in.
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