Case Study of the Day: Kerala’s Scheme for Internet Connectivity

Introduction: In 2019, the Kerala government launched the KFON scheme, which aims to provide high-speed internet connectivity to all households and government offices in the state.

Goals

• To reduce the digital divide by ensuring that all households have access to high-speed internet.
• To promote e-governance by providing a reliable and secure internet connection to all government offices.
• To accelerate Kerala’s journey towards becoming a knowledge-based economy.

Implementation

• The KFON scheme is being implemented by the Kerala State IT Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL). The scheme has been divided into two phases:
  • The first phase, which is currently underway, aims to provide connectivity to 30,000 government offices and 14,000 BPL families in the state.
  • The second phase, which will begin in 2023, will focus on providing connectivity to all households in the state.

Significance

• Availability of the Internet in locations where it was hitherto hard to access, including tribal hamlets.
• By providing high-speed internet connectivity to all households, the scheme can help to improve education, healthcare, and economic development in the state.

Challenges

• The high cost of laying fibre optic cables.
• The lack of skilled manpower to implement the scheme.
• The resistance of some people to change.

Conclusion

• The KFON scheme is a bold and ambitious initiative that has the potential to transform Kerala into a digital state.
• The success of the scheme will depend on the ability of the state government to overcome the challenges it faces and to implement the scheme effectively.

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