**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) project. The questions concern the license granted to K-FON, project details, implementation status, and viability. As of January 31st, 2026, K-FON has provided 99,970 internet connections.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **License Grant:**
* The Department of Telecommunications has granted a Unified License to Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited.
* Authorizations include National Long Distance (NLD) Service and Internet Service Provider (ISP).
* **Project Information Requirements:**
* Under Unified License guidelines, applicants are not required to furnish project information such as project cost, implementation status, or completion timelines.
* **Eligibility for License:**
* Applicants for a license must meet minimum equity and net worth requirements under the Unified License guidelines.
* Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited complied with these requirements when applying for the license.
* **Technical Inspections:**
* Technical inspections of all ISPs, including K-FON, are conducted periodically according to the Department of Telecommunications guidelines.
* **Internet Connections:**
* As of January 31st, 2026, K-FON has provided a total of 99,970 internet connections in Kerala.
**Impact Analysis**
**Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited**
* **Impact:**
* Has a Unified License with NLD and ISP authorizations.
* Has met the initial eligibility conditions for obtaining the license.
* Subject to periodic technical inspections.
* **Action Required:**
* Maintain compliance with the Department of Telecommunications guidelines during technical inspections.
**Department of Telecommunications**
* **Impact:**
* Has granted a Unified License to Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited.
* Responsible for conducting periodic technical inspections of K-FON.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue conducting technical inspections of K-FON according to established guidelines.
**Citizens of Kerala**
* **Impact:**
* As of January 31st, 2026, 99,970 connections have been provided.
* **Action Required:**
* None.
Key Entities Referenced
K-FON: Kerala Fibre Optic Network, a project to provide internet connections in Kerala.
Department of Telecommunications: The department responsible for granting the Unified License to Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited.
Kerala: The state where the K-FON project is being implemented.
Unified License: A license granted to Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited, with authorizations for National Long Distance (NLD) Service and Internet Service Provider (ISP).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2040
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH FEBRUARY, 2026
K-FON
2040. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government given license to Government of Kerala for Kerala Fibre Optic
Network (K-FON) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of total cost of the project and date of completion as per the documents submitted for
license;
(c) whether the project implemented as per the schedule and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government evaluate the progress of K-FON and if so, the details thereof and
percentage of work completed till date and amount spend for the same;
(e) whether the Union Government examined financial viability, commercial and technical
feasibility of K-FON and if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether the Union Government assessed the quality and quantity of K-FON work; and
(g) if so, the total number of connections given till date and the estimated number of connections to
make the project commercially viable?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Department of Telecommunications has granted a Unified License to Kerala Fibre Optic Network
Limited, with authorizations for National Long Distance (NLD) Service and Internet Service Provider
(ISP).
(b) to (d) As per the Unified License guidelines under which an applicant applies for Unified
License, the applicant is not mandated to furnish any project information including project cost, status of
implementation, or timelines for completion.
(e) While applying for a license, the applicant company is required to meet the minimum equity and
minimum net worth requirements prescribed under the Unified License guidelines. These eligibility
conditions were duly complied with by Kerala Fibre Optic Network Limited at the time of submitting its
application for grant of license.
(f) Technical inspections of all ISPs including K-FON are conducted periodically in accordance with
the Department of Telecommunications guidelines.
(g) As on 31st January 2026, K-FON has provided a total of 99,970 internet connections in the State
of Kerala.
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