K-FON discontinues free internet, asks government schools to pay bills for access

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has stopped the free K-FON internet service that was being provided to government schools. K-FON authorities informed the General Education Department by email that the service will now be available only to institutions that pay the required charges.

The decision could affect internet connectivity in more than 6,000 government schools across the state. K-FON also said that no government office will receive free internet service anymore. Schools that need internet access have been asked to contact K-FON and subscribe to the service by paying the applicable fee.

K-FON was launched in 2018 with the aim of providing affordable, high-quality internet access to everyone. The project was introduced by the LDF government and was one of its flagship initiatives. Apart from schools, K-FON services were also provided to government offices, hospitals, IT parks and other public institutions.