Kerala’s ambitious Kerala Fiber Optic Network (KFON) project has reached a major milestone with the successful deployment of a 35,000 km fiber backbone, thanks to a strategic partnership with Ribbon Communications. The project, which aims to provide high-speed, affordable internet across the state—especially to underserved communities—marks a bold step toward digital equity.
Ribbon’s cutting-edge DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology, along with its Apollo transport and Optical Transport Network (OTN) switching platforms, is at the heart of this digital leap. Its Muse automation suite adds intelligent planning and scalability, allowing Kerala’s internet infrastructure to evolve with rising demand.
Dr. Santhosh Babu IAS (Retd.), Managing Director of KFON, hailed the initiative as a model for treating internet access as a basic right, while Ribbon’s Senior VP Sajeet Shivashankaran emphasized their commitment to supporting scalable, secure connectivity for governments.
Launched in June 2023, KFON’s first phase aims to connect 30,000 public institutions and 14,000 below-poverty-line households, bridging the digital divide with real impact. The collaboration not only strengthens Kerala’s digital future but also reinforces Ribbon’s position as a key player in India’s telecom infrastructure landscape.
