At launch, PM hails optical fibre project
NEWDELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the first undersea optical fibre project for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which will provide high-speed broadband connections in the Union Territory at par with services available in the mainland, and likely open up new opportunities for India in Southeast Asia . “From Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman and Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, this service has started in large parts of Andaman Nicobar from today,” Modi said after inaugurating the project through video conferencing.
On December 30, 2018, the PM had laid the foundation for the 2,312-kilometre-long submarine optical fibre cable project connecting Chennai and Port Blair.the project has been implemented at a cost of ~1,224 crore.
Besides Port Blair, it will connect other islands including Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), Long Island, Rangat, Little Andaman, Kamorta, Car Nicobar and Greater Nicobar. A bulk of the fibre used in the project has been sourced from NEC Corporation of Japan, which also provided technical assistance during the installation, said a Department of Telecommunications (DOT) official, requesting anonymity.
“The optical fibre connectivity project to connect Andaman and Nicobar with the rest of the country and the world is a symbol of our commitment towards ease of
DEFENCE SECTOR
ON DECEMBER 30, 2018, THE PM HAD LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR THE 2,312-KILOMETRE-LONG SUBMARINE OPTICAL FIBRE CABLE PROJECT CONNECTING CHENNAI AND PORT BLAIR
living,” Modi said. According to official data, an internet speed of 400 gigabyte (Gb) per second will be provided in Port Blair and 200 Gb per second in other islands. The project will also give a boost to 4G mobile and digital services there.
The project will open up a host of opportunities for India in the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) region, positioning it as an alternative to China, experts said. A majority of the submarine optical fibre for international connectivity in the region is now provided by China.