New undersea cable systems are giving India a significant upgrade to its digital infrastructure, marking a significant turning point in the country

Two major submarine cable systems, SEA-ME-WE-6 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-West Europe-6) and 2Africa Pearls, backed by Meta, have made their debuts in India in 2024, namely in Chennai and Mumbai. The SEA-ME-WE 6 is a 21,700 km cable system that uses land-based cables to connect Singapore to Marseille, France. The SMW6 consortium comprises telecom companies from Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, France, Myanmar, and Yemen.

Because they provide significant data transfer capabilities via fiber optic strands, underwater cables are crucial for connecting international internet networks. By connecting to terrestrial networks and terminating at predetermined points, these cables enable communication between telecom operators and internet service providers in various countries. These cables, which are usually a few inches in diameter, are well-insulated to withstand the severe conditions found on the ocean floor. The fact that undersea cables facilitate 80% of international trade, 90% of global data, and vital financial and governmental transactions highlights their importance.

n terms of cable infrastructure, India boasts two primary hubs—Mumbai and Chennai—where 17 cable systems are currently operational. Additionally, India has two domestic cable initiatives: the Chennai Andaman and Nicobar Islands (CANI) cable, which enhances connectivity to the islands, and the Kochi Lakshadweep Islands project.

Capacity and future demand, however, are issues. Even though the capacity is adequate now, the increasing data traffic might surpass the infrastructure's capacity, which would raise concerns about its future sufficiency. Because 570 global subsea cables handle 90% of global data and 80% of global trade, there is a significant risk of cable disruptions. A disruption in the Red Sea could affect 25% of India's internet connectivity. In addition, India has trouble fixing cables because there aren't enough local vessels, which can cause delays. New cable deployment is further complicated by regulatory obstacles.

India welcomed two major submarine cable systems in 2024: SEA-ME-WE-6 (Southeast Asia-Middle East-West Europe-6) with landings in Chennai and Mumbai, and 2Africa Pearls, supported by Meta. A 21,700-kilometer underwater cable system called the SEA-ME-WE 6 connects.