Reliance Bags Clearance For Landmark Submarine Cable
Digital optical fiber is a service we are using knowing or unknowingly. With India now accelerating its 5G adoption, it becomes even more necessary to expand the existing cable network. Not only locally, but underwater submarine optical fiber networks are now a necessity not just for infrastructure development but also for geo political leverage.
How did Reliance come in the picture?
Reliance has finally got the approval from the Government of India to construct the world's largest submarine cable. The cable will travel from Mumbai to Europe and Asia, and will be called India-Europe-Xpress (IEX) and India-Asia-Xpress (IAX). It is expected to become operational between 2023 and 2024. IAX has 12 cables in 5 countries with the main trunk from Singapore to Mumbai, while IEX's main branch will be from Mumbai to Milan.
The idea is to place India at the centre while increasing the global internet capacity. It required approval from the Ministry of Environment because it can have impact on the coastal areas of India. Owing to this, Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for projects has to grant a special clearance for the project. Reliance will be working with several key global service providers like SubCom, which us deploying next two generation cables to support the ever accelerating data demand growth across the area.
What are fiber optic cables?
It is basically a direct link which can connect one country to the rest of the world for data and voice transmission. They can be linked via land as well as underwater connections that link countries via fiber optics. This system of cables is of superior speed. When placed in strenuous environments, they are covered with plastic layers and a protective blanket.
The submarine fiber optic cables are laid on sea beds, but they connect land bases stations. They hold the capacity to carry signals across the oceans, be it internet, telephone, and private data traffic. Essentially, they form the bedrock of modern day communication, given that over 90 per cent communication is routed via submarine cables. As per some estimates, they are even more cost effective than satellite connections.
It is also noteworthy that Reliance is not the only player looking to expand its foray in the Submarine cable space. Bharti Airtel also joined the SEA-ME-WE-6 undersea cable consortium to speed up its global network capacity. These high capacity networks are capable of providing 200Tbps across 16,000 km. India currently ranks 131 our of 138 countries in mobile internet speed. Given this situation, the steps taken can prove to be a boon for India.
