WHAT IS KFON?

Connectivity, that’s what the people of the 21st century is all about. The pandemic of 2020 just made it more of an essential and integral part of the life of an individual. With all the basic necessities of a person, the internet is now a major part. Well, Kerala, a state known for its high literacy rates, thoughtful leadership, and innovative ideas has completed a major step in taking the above criteria to the next level.

What is KFON? – KFON (Kerala Fire Optic Network) Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan along with the help of the state Govt. inaugurated the first phase of a complete high-speed Internet broadband scheme all along with the state of Kerala, known as Kerala Fire Optic Network (KFON) through an online session. Kerala Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) together with equal shares of 50% are bringing up the plan in action. The 52,746 km of fibre optic cables are laid by K.S.E.B while the other side including social and online infrastructures are laid by K.S.I.T.I.L. What the state has done through the pandemic, that within one year of its announcement and completing phase one is to be cherished.Uplifting the state's ideas and ideology, along with its innovation to a global level. Also, Bharat Electronics Limited agreed to a consortium for implementing the plan through a nine-year maintenance agreement at around Rs 1531 crores. " A well planned and innovative start for a new age of transformation."


THE MISSION – The mission is to implement high-speed internet service all across the state of Kerala, laying about 52,746 kilometres of F.O cables through electric substations. Thus, getting the rural part connected to the internet integrating them with the urban life. This means increasing bandwidth in areas already with internet access and introducing them to parts without them. Through this plan, the Govt. is not being any kind of telecom service provider but is a huge service to the citizens in terms of technological advancement. Providing more opportunities in e-services like e-commerce, e-health, e-education is not a minor update in the techno online society.

In terms of education, access to the internet in schools far away from urban life will be a major point in raising the standards of education thus a new generation while the plan helps in e-commerce by connecting small vendors in rural areas for online business opportunities with the growing market

A growing nation along with commerce, education, and health. The state ready for a major change with implementing the full plan

FIRST PHASE Around 12 lakh people are Below Poverty Line (BPL) in Kerala and are getting free internet access while about 2000 wi-fi hotspots are to be built across the state. This in turn helps in connecting schools, hospitals, offices, and residential areas and also 300 mb of free data for the public. As they implement the first phase, a new-age of digital empowerment is starting.

THE PLAN
The scheme placed by the Govt. of Kerala, K.S.E.B, K.S.I.T.I.C, S.D.P.K is not to become a telecom company or service provider but to be a part of enhancing the technology. Also, it is to be done through K.S.E.B's public transmission techniques by building Fibre Optic Cable facilities along with private service providers with tenders for a specific rent.

They are to implement this scheme in all 14 districts, and service providers will be connected through access networks. This is to be done by planting telecom equipment in about 378 K.S.E.B substations in Prefab shelters.

For the ongoing process and routine check for equipment and servicing, a Network Operating Centre (NOC) is to be stationed at Ernakulam. Thus, being the biggest network in Kerala, which will be working as a neutral access network.

Bharat Electronics limited signed on a deal of Rs 1531 crores in which Rs 161 crores are for the construction and Rs 363 crores are for operations and maintenance.

A

AVAILABILITY

As part of the first phase, IT parks, Airports, and Seaports will now be operating with high-speed internet and in around 30,000 schools and offices with internet speed varying from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps. All 14 districts are to be equipped with 7200 km of ADSS OFC cables have been laid till now and in7 states like Trivandrum, Quilon, Alleppey, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur, Ernakulam and Palakkad about 1000 offices are getting connected as part of Phase one.

Every advancement even in technology is good for a generation of people waiting for change but when used for the right purpose.

Hope this also for the betterment of our race

Many people believe a brand only consists of a few elements – some colours, some fonts, a logo, a slogan and maybe some music added in too. In reality, it is much more complicated than that. You might say that a brand is a ‘corporate image’.

The fundamental idea and core concept behind having a ‘corporate image’ is that everything a company does, everything it owns and everything it produces should reflect the values and aims of the business as a whole.

What are your thoughts on Kerala's new initiative? Comments and thoughts are welcome, as always.