Government of India commissions India's first Hi-Speed Rural Broadband Network (NOFN) in Idukki, Kerala. (January 13, 2015): Government of India has commissioned India's first Hi-Speed Rural Broadband Network (NOFN) in Idukki District, Kerala, under the Digital India Programme at an inaugural function held in Thiruvananthapuram recently. Gram Panchayat of Edamalakuddy in Idukki district is 34 kms away from the nearest town and has no road connectivity, electricity or piped water. Today, this settlement has been connected to the NOFN through VSAT media which has also provided them with voice connectivity. “India today witnesses a new era of digital empowerment. The new government has firmly set its focus on the all round development and inclusive growth of the country. NOFN Project is a giant leap in order to bridge the digital divide in India by linking all Gram Panchayats through the common platform of Optical Fibre Cable.
NOFN is a landmark initiative in taking forward the vision of Digital India which aims to transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. NOFN is set to link 600 million rural citizens of India across 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats of India spread over 6600 blocks and 631 districts through Broadband optical fibre network.