Tag: Broadband

TechPulse

Kerala Launches K-FON: India’s First State-Owned Affordable Internet Network

Tanisha Cardozo

In a game-changing move toward digital inclusivity, the Kerala government has launched K-FON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network)—India’s first state-owned broadband service. The ₹1,500 crore project aims to offer affordable, high-speed internet access to every citizen, especially in remote and underserved areas.

🚀 A Vision for a Digitally Empowered Kerala

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while launching the service, emphasized that universal internet access is fundamental to Kerala’s vision of a knowledge-driven society. “No one will be left behind,” he declared, even citing Idamalakudy, a tribal settlement deep in Kerala’s forests, as part of the K-FON network.

The CM noted that K-FON is not just about technology—it’s about equity, access, and empowerment.

🧩 How K-FON Works: The Infrastructure

The project involves the deployment of a 35,000 km optical fibre network across Kerala, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB).

K-FON is being rolled out in two phases:

  • Phase 1: Connecting 30,000+ government institutions
  • Phase 2: Providing free internet to economically disadvantaged families and subsidised broadband to others

💡 Affordable Plans for Everyone

K-FON offers tiered plans to ensure accessibility:

  • ₹299/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 20 Mbps
    • 3,000 GB data cap
  • ₹1,249/month (excluding GST)
    • Speed: 250 Mbps
    • 5,000 GB data cap

The goal? To match private-sector quality without the exploitative pricing.

👥 Who Benefits?

  • 20 lakh+ people to receive free internet access
  • Over 14,000 households will be connected in the initial phase

All service providers will have non-discriminatory access to the network

🌐 Why It Matters

K-FON is Kerala’s alternative model to the corporate-run telecom sector—offering the same quality at much lower prices. It aligns with the larger objective of bridging the digital divide, especially for:

  • Students and job seekers in rural areas
  • Families who cannot afford private internet plans

Small businesses and entrepreneurs needing reliable broadband

🗨️ A New Standard in Public Internet Infrastructure

“K-FON is our way of freeing people from digital exploitation and giving them the infrastructure to thrive in a knowledge economy,” said CM Vijayan.

📈 Looking Ahead

K-FON is more than a broadband service—it’s a social innovation. By laying down public digital infrastructure, Kerala is setting a national precedent for affordable, accessible, and equitable internet.

Whether you’re in a forest village or a bustling city, K-FON promises to connect you to the future.

TechPulse

Japan Breaks World Record for Fastest Internet Speed — 402 Tbps!

allycaralgoa

Tokyo, July 2025 — Japan has once again taken the lead in global technology by setting a new world record for internet speed: a jaw-dropping 402 terabits per second (Tbps). To put that into perspective, you could download the entire Netflix library — all shows, all movies — in just one second.

The breakthrough was achieved by researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) using advanced multi-core fiber-optic technology and next-generation wavelength division multiplexing. Unlike typical commercial fiber cables, which use a single core, this innovation utilizes 19 cores in a single fiber — drastically increasing data capacity.

Why It Matters

This record isn’t just about achieving insane speeds. It represents a leap toward the next era of internet infrastructure that could support massive data requirements in industries like AI, streaming, autonomous vehicles, medical imaging, and even interplanetary communication.

With the rapid rollout of 6G trials, quantum computing, and the metaverse, demand for ultra-fast and stable internet is at an all-time high. Japan’s latest milestone lays the groundwork for a truly connected future.

What’s Next?

While this speed isn’t available to consumers just yet, it signals what’s on the horizon. Japan, already one of the world’s most tech-advanced nations, continues to pave the way for innovations that could redefine digital experiences globally.

As global players race toward faster and more efficient networks, Japan’s 402 Tbps feat is a reminder that the future of connectivity is closer than we think — and it’s faster than we ever imagined.

TechPulse

Goa Appoints Department of IT as Nodal Agency to Fast-Track Telecom Infrastructure

allycaralgoa

Altinho, July 2025: To accelerate the expansion of digital infrastructure in Goa, the Government has designated the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) as the State Designated Department (SDD) for implementing the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024.

This move aims to simplify and speed up the approval process for setting up telecom infrastructure such as mobile towers, underground cables, and other digital connectivity systems. It reflects the government’s continued commitment to improving Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and enabling faster, single-window clearances.

  • DITE&C will serve as the nodal agency for all RoW permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) related to government land, under a centralized eServices portal developed by the Department of Telecommunication, Government of India.
  • All other state departments are required to appoint Nodal Officers to ensure smooth coordination with the SDD.
  • Land usage charges and application fees for government and municipal land, including street furniture, will be collected by DITE&C appropriately transferred to the Treasury.
  • Local bodies, corporations, and municipalities land usage charges and application fees will be collected by DITE&C appropriately transferred to respective land-owning bodies.
  • Compensation for the use of public property for telecom infrastructure will be assessed and paid either once or annually, based on rates decided by the public authority.

This decision is expected to significantly improve Goa’s digital infrastructure, minimize approval delays, and support broader access to better mobile and internet services throughout the state.