The Story So Far
India is expanding its international internet capacity with new undersea cables.
The latest is Airtel’s 2Africa Pearls system, backed by Meta (Facebook), adding 100 terabits per second.
Earlier, the SEA-ME-WE-6 cable was landed in Chennai and Mumbai.
What Are Undersea Cables?
Undersea cables are the main links for global internet connectivity, connecting ISPs and telecom networks across countries.
They are thick, padded cables with fiber optics inside, allowing large volumes of data to travel quickly.
Cables land at "landing points" onshore and connect to stations for further data distribution.
About 90% of global data, 80% of world trade, and $10 trillion in financial transactions rely on these cables.
Does India Have Enough Undersea Cables?
India has two main cable landing hubs: Mumbai and Chennai.
95% of undersea cables land in a small area in Versova, Mumbai.
India has 17 international cable systems and two domestic ones: CANI (Chennai Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and Kochi-Lakshadweep cables.
While current capacity meets demand, future data growth may outpace it.
Risks Surrounding Undersea Cable Deployment
India’s reliance on a few cable landing points makes it vulnerable to disruptions.
Disruptions like the 2024 Red Sea cable cuts (due to Houthi attacks) can impact up to 25% of India’s internet.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a critical narrow passage in the Red Sea, is a key chokepoint for undersea cables.
Damage in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait can affect major global data routes, leading to significant internet outages.
Most undersea routes follow ancient trade routes, increasing risks due to heavy maritime traffic.
What Can Be Done to Bolster India’s Subsea Cable Infrastructure?
Streamline Permissions: Companies face over 51 permissions from multiple government bodies to land cables.
Improve Repair Capabilities: India lacks domestic cable repair ships and storage depots, relying on foreign vessels with long approval processes.
Invest in Infrastructure: Domestic investment in cable repair and maintenance can reduce dependency on foreign services.
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