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Business Upturn
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
KFON goes national with ISP-A license; crosses 1 lakh connections, eyeing OTT rollout
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 Ahmedabad Plane Crash
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
KFON gets national licence, to give 75k BPL connections by March
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Taking a giant leap in the internet arena, the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) has acquired the Internet Service Provider-Category A licence, which will give KFON operational permission throughout the country. Launched by Kerala government to erase the digital divide, KFON aims to establish 75,000 new BPL connections by March 2026. 'Though the new licence opens before us a pan-India market possibility, that is not the intended aim,' KFON managing director Santhosh Babu told TNIE. He said with the Category A licence, KFON can collaborate with bigger organisations like metro rail networks, which will expand its business further. The company will also be able to provide internet to people living on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. KFON, which currently has over one lakh customers, earlier held a Category-B licence that allowed it to operate within the state. KFON has already provided more than 14,000 connections to people in the BPL category, and has now set a higher goal of 75,000 new connections by the end of this financial year. 'Towards that end, the government has agreed to provide us Rs 60 crore. If the fund is received in a timely manner, we won't have any issue in achieving the target,' Santhosh said. Those availing BPL connections -- which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis -- will not have to pay internet charges for the first year. With a turnover of around Rs 267 crore, KFON is also planning to collaborate with other companies in a consortium format to increase its revenue. The internet service provider is trying to acquire a Virtual Network Operator licence, which will open new spaces in the tech industry. However, a lack of human resources remains a hurdle for the firm.
India Today
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Kerala's state-run broadband for underprivileged families cross 1 lakh connections
Kerala Fibre Optic Network (Kfon), the state government's internet connectivity project, has crossed 1 lakh active connections, marking a significant milestone since its launch in June network has completed 31,153 kilometers of fiber optic cable infrastructure, making it the largest network in Kerala compared to other Internet Service Providers. Kfon aims to connect 4 million households and offices, including 2 million below-poverty-line present, Kfon provides 63,217 commercial FTTH connections, with 23,163 government offices connected, and 12,948 free connections for economically disadvantaged families. There are 2,771 Fibre to Office connections also provided by Kfon. The network serves both urban and rural areas across the state. All offices in the Kerala Secretariat have been using KFON services, and the Legislative Assembly was integrated into the network as of June the milestone, Kfon is now preparing to launch a dedicated OTT platform for Kerala, currently in its final tendering phase. The platform will offer South Indian channels and films at affordable prices. Plans also include IPTV services and securing Virtual Network Operator (VNO) licenses.'Crossing 1 lakh subscribers is a proud moment, but just the beginning,' said Santhosh Babu, Managing Director of Kfone. 'Our goal is to ensure no citizen is left behind due to lack of internet access.'advertisementGovernment departments including agriculture, education, statistics, and animal husbandry are using Kfon's Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Intranet services for centralised applications. The project supports e-governance, remote education, and digital innovation initiatives across was inaugurated on June 5 with the objective to connect over 4 million households and offices, including 2 million below-poverty-line families. The network has expanded its reach, ensuring internet access across both urban and rural areas. Over the past two years, all offices in the Kerala Secretariat have been utilising this service. By June 2024, the Legislative Assembly was also integrated into the Kfon network. IN THIS STORY#Kerala
