In a pioneering move, Kerala became the first state to declare access to the internet a basic right. What began as a visionary attempt to bridge the urban–rural digital divide has matured into one of the country’s most successful public infrastructure projects, powering everything from connectivity in remote villages to the state’s latest leap into the world of entertainment with its own inclusive OTT platform.

KFON was born out of a simple but powerful vision: to ensure universal digital access across Kerala. While private internet providers had traditionally focused on profitable urban markets, large parts of rural Kerala including tribal hamlets and remote islands remained digitally excluded. The State Government of Kerala envisioned KFON as an answer to this imbalance: a backbone network that would democratize access and make internet connectivity as basic right as electricity and water.

The project began with the laying of over 30,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable across Kerala, creating a robust and future-ready digital backbone. Importantly, it was designed not just as a government utility but as a shared infrastructure model leasing dark fiber to telecom operators, enabling local internet providers, and serving as a foundation for multiple digital initiatives.

Bridging the Digital Divide

One of KFON’s greatest achievements lies in its commitment to inclusivity. At its core is a promise to connect Below Poverty Line (BPL) families with free internet access. So far, KFON has already provided 14,194 free connections to households that would otherwise struggle to afford digital access.

Equally remarkable is KFON’s reach into Kerala’s most difficult terrains. In Attappadi, home to vulnerable tribal communities, KFON has connected nearly 400 families. In Kottoor, another 103 families have been brought online. These were regions where the internet had never reached before, and KFON made it possible by working in collaboration with local communities and corporate CSR support.

In total, KFON has so far provided 1,16,234 connections across the state, including 23,163 government offices and 75,773 commercial FTTH connections. It has also leased out 7,000 kilometers of dark fiber, empowering private ISPs and enabling competition in the market.

Transforming Governance and Services

The impact of KFON has gone far beyond households. Today, the Kerala Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly run entirely on KFON connections. Government departments, hospitals, schools, universities, startups, and financial institutions rely on KFON for secure, high-speed connectivity. This has not only improved efficiency but has also reduced costs by minimizing dependence on private telecom providers.

In the healthcare sector, hospitals have used KFON to support telemedicine and digital health records. In education, schools and universities have benefited from seamless connectivity for online classes and research. For startups and SMEs, KFON has made enterprise-level broadband affordable, with over 220 corporate leased lines and 265 SME broadband connections already active.

From Connectivity to Entertainment

With a strong digital backbone already in place, KFON has expanded its vision beyond connectivity by stepping into the world of entertainment through the launch of KFON OTT. Bringing together 29 OTT services and 350+ digital TV channels under a single umbrella, KFON OTT offers one of the most comprehensive and affordable entertainment bundles in India. The platform includes leading names such as Amazon Prime Lite, Jio Hotstar, Sony LIV, Zee5, Discovery Plus, Hungama TV, FanCode, and Playbox TV.

To cater to diverse needs, KFON OTT is available in five flexible packages with monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and annual subscription options:

• Star Package: Priced at ₹444 per month, this entry-level plan offers internet at 45 Mbps speed with a 4,500 GB data limit, along with 23 OTT platforms and over 350 digital TV

channels. The package is also available at ₹1,265 for three months, ₹2,398 for six months, and ₹4,529 annually

• Vibe Package: At ₹599 per month, subscribers receive 55 Mbps speed with a 4,500 GB

data limit, 26 OTT platforms, and over 350 digital TV channels. The three-month plan is

₹1,707, six months ₹3,235, and annual ₹6,110

• Vibe Plus Package: This ₹799 monthly plan includes 105 Mbps speed, a 4,500 GB data limit, 26 OTT platforms, and over 350 digital TV channels. Longer subscription options are priced at ₹2,277 for three months, ₹4,315 for six months, and ₹8,150 annually
• Amaze Package: Available for ₹899 per month, this plan provides 65 Mbps speed, a 4,500 GB data limit, 29 OTT platforms, and over 350 digital TV channels. The package is also offered at ₹2,562 for three months, ₹4,855 for six months, and ₹9,170 annually
• Amaze Plus Package: The premium plan, priced at ₹999 per month, offers 155 Mbps speed, a 4,500 GB data limit, 29 OTT platforms, and over 350 digital TV channels. Subscription options include ₹2,847 for three months, ₹5,395 for six months, and ₹10,190

With prices strategically set lower than private competitors, KFON OTT combines high-speed internet, vast data limits, and premium entertainment into a single, accessible offering for households across Kerala.

Early Success of KFON OTT

Within a short span of its launch, KFON OTT has already crossed 300 activated subscriptions and received over 400 fresh enquiries from eager households. This enthusiastic response highlights the trust Malayalees place in KFON, as well as the demand for affordable, bundled digital services.

For many families, the ability to combine high-speed internet, OTT entertainment, and digital TV into a single, state-backed package is both cost-effective and convenient. With Malayalee households traditionally being some of the most entertainment-savvy consumers in India, KFON OTT is well-positioned to become a household staple.

Overcoming Challenges

KFON’s journey has not been without challenges. At its inception, critics questioned its feasibility, cost, and scope. Legal challenges were mounted, with even the High Court being approached. Yet, the project endured thanks to strong political will, efficient project management, and the resilience of a vision rooted in public good.

Every milestone KFON has achieved so far, whether crossing the one lakh connection mark, extending fiber to 3,800 local ISPs, or now launching OTT services has been a response to those doubts. Instead of faltering, KFON has used each challenge as motivation to expand further and prove its worth.

Towards the Future

KFON’s roadmap is ambitious and clear. The immediate goal is to cross 2.5 lakh connections by next year, effectively doubling its reach. The network is also working on IPTV services and pursuing a VNO (Virtual Network Operator) license, which will allow it to directly provide telecom services nationwide.

On the entertainment side, KFON is expected to introduce more localized and curated content, tapping into Kerala’s vibrant culture and media landscape. With strong early adoption numbers, it is likely that KFON OTT will soon scale up to thousands of subscribers, further strengthening Kerala’s digital ecosystem.

A Model for India

What makes KFON unique is its people-first approach. Unlike private corporations, whose primary goal is profit, KFON has been designed as a social utility. Its mandate is to empower citizens, reduce inequality, and ensure that no household is left behind in the digital age.

For India, where the digital divide remains a pressing challenge, KFON offers a model of how state-led digital infrastructure can complement private sector efforts while ensuring inclusivity. It shows that when technology is used as a tool for equity, it can transform societies.

The Story in Full Circle

From its origins as an ambitious vision to today’s reality of powering over a lakh connections, KFON has come for a long way. Its foray into OTT marks not just an expansion of services but a continuation of its founding principle: to connect, empower, and enrich the lives of people across Kerala.

As KFON continues its journey bridging villages and cities, connecting the unconnected, and now entertaining households, it is clear that this project is more than just an internet network. It is a symbol of Kerala’s determination to lead in digital inclusivity and innovation.

And with over 300 households already tuning in to KFON OTT and 400 more knocking on the

door, this is only the beginning of a new chapter in Kerala’s digital story.