Kerala in talks with Airtel, Jio to monetise internet firm's assets

Kfon, after three years, may have to raise Rs 250 crore annually to repay its debt and for maintenance and expansion

Kerala will monetise its state-owned internet firm’s assets. It is in talks with private companies Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio as it seeks funds to bring digital services to the poor.

Kerala Fibre Optic Network (Kfon) is expanding its footprint to around 30,000 offices and has provided free internet to two million economically backward households. After three years, it may have to raise Rs 250 crore annually by monetising assets to repay debt and for maintenance and expansion. Airtel and Jio did not respond to questions from Business Standard about taking part in Kfon’s monetisation of dark fibre (unused fibre).

Santhosh Babu,