K-FON eager to back KSEB's smart meter project

Kochi: Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) is eager to provide services to Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) concerning the smart meters in the state. 

Earlier this week, the Kerala Cabinet decided to chalk out an alternative plan to implement the smart metre project instead of going forward with the TOTEX (Total Expenditure) model put forward by the Center. Instead of bringing private players into the project, the Kerala Government decided to manufacture smart meters through a consortium of public-sector establishments. On Friday, the Chief Minister and the Electricity Minister agreed to use K-FON for internet connectivity for the smart metre project.

Interestingly, since 2021, K-FON has publicly indicated its desire to collaborate with KSEB on the project. In response to a question on its website's Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section, K-FON expressed willingness to use its internet cable networks for the Smart Metre project. 

If the plan had been to pursue the TOTEX model, the government would have the option to select other companies like BSNL and Jio. 

Meanwhile, K-FON has so far laid 24,000 km of optical fibre cable at an estimated cost of Rs 1528 crore to provide affordable and better broadband connectivity to households in Kerala. 

In the first phase of the project, KSEB plans to install smart meters for all industrial establishments in Kerala. In that scenario, K-FON will have to lay optical fibre cables alongside 3 lakh kilometres of low-tension lines of KSEB. However, such a project would cost at least Rs 20,000 crore.