Indian PM Modi unlocks digital Lakshadweep with underwater cable; 100x Internet boost

TDT | agencies                                                  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Connection (KLI-SOFC) project among various developmental initiatives worth more than Rs 1,150 crore in Lakshadweep’s capital Kavaratti.

The KLI-SOFC project will cover a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education and bolster internet speed in the archipelago unlocking new possibilities and opportunities.

Lakshadweep, which is a tropical archipelago of 36 atolls and coral reefs in the Laccadive Sea, off the coast of Kerala, will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable for the first time since independence.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister recalled the guarantee given by him in 2020 about ensuring fast internet within 1,000 days. “This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, education and digital banking.

The potential of developing Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this.”

The Prime Minister assured the people of Lakshadweep that the government will continue to take every possible step to ensure their ease of living, ease of travel and ease of doing business.

Background-Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine OFC (KLI) Project The need for digitally connecting the Lakshadweep Islands through a high-capacity submarine cable link with the mainland has been felt for some time.

Earlier, the only means of communication with the Islands was through satellite medium, which had limited bandwidth capacity and was not able to meet the growing bandwidth demand.

Taking note of this, the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) conceptualized the Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine OFC Project (KLI project).

The project is funded by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunication. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was the Project Executing Agency and the work was awarded to NEC Corporation India Pvt Ltd through Global Open Tendering process.

Major activities related to the project include Marine Route Survey, Submarine Cable laying, Civil Construction of CLS stations, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of End Terminals (SLTE)