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From Attappady to Kottoor, Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) is bridging the digital divide bringing internet access, education, and opportunity to tribal communities through the ‘Connecting the Unconnected’ initiative.
From the misty hills of Attappady to the dense green valleys of Kottoor, Kerala’s most remote tribal regions are witnessing a quiet digital revolution. Through its ‘Connecting the Unconnected’ initiative, the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) is bridging the digital divide and empowering communities that once stood beyond the reach of technology.
Digital Inclusion Reaches Attappady
In Palakkad district’s Attappady block, KFON has rolled out high-speed internet to 535 locations, including 320 tribal settlements, marking a significant milestone in Kerala’s march towards universal connectivity. The initiative has already provided internet access to 31 Anganwadis, with plans to expand coverage to 50 centres across Kuppan Colony, Pudur, and Cheerakadavu.
Beyond homes and Anganwadis, the network now connects key public institutions including four veterinary hospitals, seven lower primary schools, two panchayat offices, one tribal taluk hospital, Palakkad’s only de-addiction centre, five Milma booths, a Dairy Development Corporation office, and a Tribal Office (T.O Office) ensuring that digital access supports essential services across the region.
For many of these institutions, reliable internet access has become a game-changer. Anganwadi workers now access government portals online, teachers download digital learning materials, and local officials coordinate services more efficiently.
“KFON’s vision is not just to connect homes, but to create opportunities and improve the quality of life in Kerala’s most remote and tribal regions,” said Dr. Santhosh Babu, IAS, Principal Secretary and Managing Director, KFON. He added, “By bringing high-speed internet to these areas, we aim to empower communities, enhance education and healthcare access, and build a truly inclusive digital society.
Corporate Partnership Drives Connectivity in Kottoor
In the tribal belts of Kottoor, Thiruvananthapuram, the digital wave is reaching homes thanks to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. South Indian Bank, through its CSR fund, has enabled 110 KFON connections in the region, bringing the promise of connectivity closer to tribal communities. The ‘Connecting the Unconnected’ project exemplifies how government vision and corporate partnerships can work hand in hand to expand digital infrastructure in remote and underserved areas. Inspired by such initiatives, other banks are also showing interest in similar CSR efforts. These partnerships are helping accelerate KFON’s mission to ensure that every citizen, regardless of geography has access to reliable digital services.
A New Chapter in Kerala’s Digital Story
KFON is doing more than laying cables it is bridging gaps, opening opportunities, and turning connectivity into a catalyst for empowerment. In Attappady and Kottur, tribal students can now attend online classes without leaving their villages, farmers access real-time market information to make informed decisions, and healthcare workers coordinate teleconsultations with specialists to ensure timely care. By bringing even the most remote communities into Kerala’s digital future, KFON proves that access to the internet is not a privilege, but a fundamental right, transforming lives and redefining progress across the state.
