Proprietor model for KFON, govt to outsource management of project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet meeting has decided to adopt the proprietor model by entrusting the management of the K-FON project to K-FON Limited and outsourcing other activities. Including this, the cabinet approved the proposals of the six-member committee, convened by the IT Secretary. The committee was appointed to look into ways to monetize the project.

Operation and Maintenance (O&M) up to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to provide Internet connectivity to government offices should be ensured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a system integrator. KSITIL should ensure that agencies are empaneled to provide LAN and Wi-Fi services in government offices.

Instead of asking all government offices to pay separate bills for providing internet and intranet, the government will pay the amount to K-FON Limited in a lump sum or quarterly installments.

BEL, a system integrator, handles only operation and maintenance (O&M) of up to 30,000 government institutions' optical network terminals (ONTs). Serving more than that number of customers requires the expertise of a managed service provider (MSP). Therefore, an MSP will be selected through a tender process to assist in the day-to-day technical and commercial operations of K-FON Limited.

The possibility of extending the tender period of the project to provide free internet to economically backward families for five years will be examined based on the tender conditions.

The existing technical committee will be empowered to include a member from the Department of Telecommunications to advise the K-FON Board on all technical matters including technological innovation and security.