KFON Crosses One Lakh Connections, Set to Launch OTT Platform for Kerala

Kerala state-owned broadband network KFON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network) has reached a significant milestone of achieving over one lakh connections since its launch in 2023. This achievement represents a transformative moment in Kerala's digital journey, which demonstrates the network's success in bridging the digital divide across the state.

KFON is now expanding beyond traditional broadband services into the entertainment sector with an ambitious OTT platform currently in its final tendering phase. This dedicated streaming service is designed to serve Kerala’s diverse audience and offers films and focuses on South Indian channels with affordable rates, which targets the common people.

"Crossing One lakh subscribers is a proud moment, but just the beginning," said Dr Santhosh Babu IAS, Managing Director of KFON. “Our goal is to ensure no citizen is left behind due to a lack of internet access. With upcoming services like OTT, we are not just connecting homes; we are connecting lives." So far, KFON has made 1,06,228 connections that span many categories: 66,143 commercial FTTH connections, 23,163 government office connections, 14,082 free connections for economically backward families, and 2,819 fibre-to-office connections. KFON aims to complete over 2,50,000 connections by 2025, more than doubling its current subscriber base.

The OTT platform demonstrates KFON’s strategic evolution from a traditional internet service provider to a comprehensive digital ecosystem which offers diverse content and an enhanced service delivery to the users. This expansion will complement the network's existing infrastructure, which provides the subscribers with connectivity and content.

In addition to the OTT platform, KFON is also developing an IPTV service, and it also pursues VNO (Virtual Network Operator) licences, which signals its ambition to become a full-fledged telecommunication and content service provider. The network offers intranet services like MPLS L2VPN, L2VPN, MPLS L3VPN, and FTTH intranet serving over 3500 institutional subscribers. KFON’s success is built on Kerala’s largest fibre optic network, which spans around 31,153 km of the completed cable infrastructure. The nerve centre of KFON is its Network Operating Centre (NOC) in Kochi Infopark, which distributes the services through 375 KSEB substations based on the Point of Presence (POP), which is centred across the state.

This embellished network architecture connects the NOC to an estimate of 14 crore POP centres, which extends to 94 ring aggregation networks, 186 pre-aggregation ring networks and 81 spur centres. This infrastructure gives robust connectivity, which can support both the current subscribers and their expansion into OTT with their value-added services.

Beyond the commercial ventures, KFON demonstrates a profound commitment to bridge the digital divide through comprehensive social inclusion initiatives. The ambitious project also aims to eradicate the digital divide by providing free internet to economically underprivileged families, making it an essential infrastructure for modern participation in healthcare, education, economic opportunities, etc.

KFON’s “Connecting the Unconnected” initiative is supported by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, aims to bridge a digital divide in Kerala by providing internet access to remote and tribal areas. This ensures that even in Kerala’s most isolated communities, people can access online education, government programmes, and other services. Through the “Connecting the Unconnected”, connections have been made to 103 families in Kottoor and 300 families in Attapadi, and the plan is to extend to other tribal areas across Kerala. KFON has also provided BPL connections to Valanthakad Island in Ernakulam district by overcoming the challenges of reaching this remote island location.

KFON’s revenue streams include Internet Lease Line services (220 corporate connections), SME broadband (265 connections) and Dark Fibre leasing (7,000 kilometres already leased). This network works with 3,800 local network providers, which creates an ecosystem that positions KFON perfectly for the OTT service delivery.

With the launch of the OTT platform and the growing subscriber base, KFON stands as an entrance for transforming Kerala into a digital entertainment landscape. KFON’s growing network and new services make it a leading example for the government-owned internet service provider.

Kerala residents can subscribe KFON connections via toll-free number 1800 570 4466, the Ente KFON app, or the official website www.kfon.in. Website: Visit www.kfon.in, click on the 'Register' icon, and provide the required details to apply.

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