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New undersea cables to boost India’s digital connectivity
Context:
India is set to launch two new undersea cable systems, the India Asia Xpress (IAX) and the India Europe Xpress (IEX), within the next three months.
More in News:
- Ownership and Investment: Both cable systems are primarily owned by Reliance Jio, with strategic investment from China Mobile.
- Geographical Connections:
- IAX: Connects Mumbai and Chennai with Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
- IEX: Links Mumbai and Chennai with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti.
- Significance of Expansion: This addition enhances India’s role in international telecommunications and reflects its commitment to submarine cable security.
India’s Digital Connectivity:
- Current Capacity: India has a capacity of 138.55 terabits per second (Tbps) across 17 international submarine cables.
- Impact of New Cables: The IAX and IEX are expected to quadruple this capacity, significantly improving internet speed and reliability.
- Meeting Demand: Enhanced connectivity is essential to support the growing needs driven by technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
- Response to Growing Data Demand: This expansion is driven by the increasing global demand for data and India’s ambition to strengthen its digital infrastructure and connectivity.
Significance:
- Strategic Resilience: The new cables enhance India’s defence strategy against cyberattacks and physical disruptions.
- Geopolitical Role: Expanding the undersea cable network boosts India’s geopolitical influence, especially in regions like the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea.
- Improved Connectivity: The cables improve data speed and capacity, making India more competitive in global digital markets.
- Economic Growth: Strengthening connectivity supports India’s digital economy and opens up new opportunities in various sectors.
Challenges
- Submarine Cable Disruptions: In March 2023, disruptions in three submarine cables impacted international bandwidth to India, highlighting vulnerability.
- Limited Impact from Bangladesh Setback: Bangladesh halted plans to sell bandwidth to Northeast India, but the impact was minimal due to existing fibre-optic connectivity in the region.
- Cybersecurity Risks: The increased reliance on undersea cables also raises concerns over security threats like cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Growing competition in submarine cable investments and regional disputes could lead to disruptions or restricted access to global networks.
Way Forward:
- Strengthening Cybersecurity:
- Implementing advanced protections against potential disruptions.
- Developing response strategies for cyber threats targeting undersea cables.
- Diversifying Routes:
- Establishing additional pathways to ensure redundancy in data transmission.
- Enhancing the robustness of India’s digital infrastructure.
- International Collaboration:
- Engaging with global partners to bolster submarine cable security and resilience.
- Participating in international forums focused on telecommunications infrastructure protection.
