India's Growing Internet Connectivity: Key Role of Undersea Cables and BharatNet Scheme

Several internet cables operating in the country, 17 international undersea cables in particular, two of which are soon to be launched, namely IAX and IEX. These cables cover over 15,000 km and belong to Reliance Jio with participation of the Chinese Mobile Company. The cables improve linkages to and from India with countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. Optical cables provide fast transmission of data signals, low delay and relatively cheaper over large distances. However, they similar challenges that affect other form of storage such as physical damage, susceptibility to disasters, espionage risks and high installation costs.

India is indeed central because of its location at the intersection of the two oceans, that of the Indian and the Southern. The proposed BharatNet scheme is planned to provide better connectivity of internet in the rural areas by using Optical fibre cables. However, the problems facing India include high costs, poor coordination with other countries, and insecurity; yet they have opportunities to improve the cable networks to improve connectivity not only in the region but also in the global world. Other solutions include use of partnerships and collaboration between public and private sectors and the use of internet through satellite.

Key points

• As of 2024, India is connected to the global internet by 17 international undersea cables: 

• Some of the major Projects include the SEA ME WE 3, Bay of Bengal Gateway and The Europe India Gateway. 

• The year has begun with two new cable systems standing on the imminent threshold in India. 

• The cables IAX and IEX are cross-interconnected with a combined length greater than 15,000 Km. 

  • IAX connects- Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in Asia.

  • IEX links- Chennai and Mumbai with France, Greece, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Djibouti.

• These are owned by Reliance Jio and comes with an operational partnership with China Mobile.

About Undersea Cables

Undersea cables, also referred to as submarine cables, are high-capacity optic fibre cables laid on the ocean floor for purposes of establishing international connectivity for ultra-modern high-speed data interchange.

There are approximately four hundred Undersea cables globally, most of which manages about 99% global communication data traffic. Examples: JUNO, Asia-America Gateway, MAREA etc.

Advantages of Undersea Cables

The undersea cables are intended to provide the bandwidth in the higher quantity as well as low latency.

Consequently, these undersea cables, also known as Optical fiber cables, confer low power loss and are not susceptible to interference.

The big advantage of these cables is that they are of a lower cost over longer distance compared with satellite links.

The cables have low visibility impact since they are accountable for having a life expectancy of approximately 25 years.

Disadvantages of Undersea Cables

They are susceptible to harm from physical interactions with them by shipping and fishing.

These cables are unsuitable for areas prone to disaster such as mud-slide, typhoon etc.. Satellites are used in such events.

Submarine cable system needs repeaters at normalized distances.

These cables are employed in spying by countries. Some countries may eavesdrop such data for spying purposes which is a big worry with regard to data privacy. 

The string infrastructure of fiber is very much costly which demands high capital expenditure. Sea cables are very slow indeed to fix, extremely time-consuming and quite costly to boot. 

International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

ITU is a specialised agency of United Nations organization’ that deals with information and Communication Technology concerns founded in 1985. 

Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

India is a member nation. 

Report associated: Global Cybersecurity Index. 

Bharat Net Scheme

The program which is being under taken by the Government of India essentially plans on increasing the internet connection in the country, especially in the uncharted areas. 

It mainly propounds the use of Optical Fiber Cable to improve the link up to the isolated areas. 

It aims to provide high speed broadband connection to 2, 50, 000 Gram Panchayats. 

Undersea Cables and India’s Opportunity

Strategic Location of India: The geographical location of India in the Indian Ocean gives it a strategic role in today’s global import/export business and data transfer network. Thus, it gives India a chance to become a node or a transit point for Internet usage. 

Enhancing regional connectivity: India has 17 major undersea cables and is getting more as well. The infrastructure can be utilized to offer connection goods and services for neighbouring countries (SriLanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, East Africa etc). This can raise Indias strategic leverage and can also bring economic benefits. 

Strategic leadership: Thus, India should continue to actively participate in shaping the policies being formed in the ITU so as to guide the international technique of connection and cybersecurity. 

Certain challenges to Internet Connectivity in India

Cost overrun is the opposite of the time since the delay in the projects because of land acquisition raises the cost of projects. 

Coordination issues: In india now there are several concern and coordinating authorities in telecom regulation through telecom tribunal and there are many other consumer tribunals hence their is a confusion regarding the overlapping of authority. 

Security Issue: Submarine cables suffer from threat of disruption (interference with cables) and espionage threats at narrow channels. E.g., Malacca Strait. It can affect such aspects of data communication. 

Way Forward

New optical fiber ecosystem will contribute in the economic growth in India though these problems can be eliminated with central coordinating authority and attractive Public-Private Partnership funds. As well, new means of connectivity such as internet through satellite like starlink can also be considered. 

Conclusion

India’s undersea cable connectivity has rapidly expanded which hold promising economic and strategic implications, but the questions of cooperation and protection will be central to unlocking the potential in these connections.