Paving the Digital Highway: India's Global Subsea Cable Ambitions

The Broadband India Forum's inaugural International Subsea Cable Systems Conference highlighted India's potential to become a global subsea connectivity hub. Experts discussed expanding subsea infrastructure, enhancing cable resilience, and policy reforms to position India as a leader in digital economic growth amid global and geopolitical shifts.

In a groundbreaking event, the Broadband India Forum (BIF) hosted the first International Subsea Cable Systems Conference in New Delhi, where global experts converged to discuss the strategic role of subsea cables in India's digital economy. TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti underscored the urgent need to fortify subsea infrastructure supporting India's exponential data growth. He praised BIF's timely initiative, aiming to influence policy and attract investment.

Aruna Sundararajan, Chairperson of BIF, emphasized the significance of subsea cables for India's digital future, advocating for increased subsea capacity and system resilience. She highlighted India's potential to serve as a major global transit hub amid geopolitical changes. Robert Ravi of BSNL celebrated the pivotal role of enhanced connectivity in advancing India's digital stature.

Sonia Jorge, GDIP's Executive Director, stressed subsea cables' transformative impact on internet connectivity, urging for regulatory reforms to eliminate deployment barriers. Discussions centered on overcoming industry challenges, incentivizing investment, and crafting strategies for infrastructure growth, positioning India as a future hub for subsea cable systems, thus driving economic expansion.

(With inputs from agencies.)