K-FON project to be inaugurated on June 5, free internet for 20 lakh families

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The K-FON project, which will provide free high-speed internet facility to 20 lakh economically backward families in the state and at moderate cost to others, will be inaugurated on June 5. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed that at present around 18000 government institutions have been provided internet facilities through K-FON. Basic facilities to provide connection in 7000 houses have been completed. The Chief Minister also stated that 748 connections were provided.

Universal internet access is essential to keep up with the changing world. K-FON will become a project that lays the foundation for the effort to build new Kerala with emphasis on knowledge economy. K-FON project is also a popular alternative of the left government against the corporate rate forces in the telecom sector. The state government launched the K-FON scheme with the determination not to create an opportunity for exploitation by private cable networks and mobile service providers. The Chief Minister pointed out that the K-FON project envisaged by the LDF government through the Department of Electricity and IT will help to overcome the digital divide in the society.

A Category 1 license to provide infrastructure services and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) Category B unified license to officially provide Internet services were previously available for the K-FON project.

"K-FON is Kerala's own internet. The project will help to make the digital infrastructure of the state strong and efficient and make e-governance universal.", Pinarayi Vijayan said.