Submarine Optical Fibre Network UPSC

Submarine Optical Fibre Network

Source : NEC

The Prime Minister launched an Submarine Optical Fibre Network (OFC) connecting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the mainland that would provide residents of the Union Territory high-speed Internet connection. The Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the 2,300-km-long submarine optical fibre cable project connecting Chennai and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on December 30, 2018. 

About Submarine Optical Fibre Cable

• Under-sea cable has been executed by BSNL in a record time of less than 24 months and this will give 4G mobile services a big boost on these islands due to OFC connectivity. This will boost Digital Services like Tele-education, Tele- Health, e-Governance Services and tourism on the islands. 

• The Connectivity will boost the Opportunities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands says Prime Minister. It will promote Ease of Doing Business and simplify maritime logistics. 

• The Andaman and Nicobar Island is to be developed as hub of Port led Development and it will also be a major port hub for international maritime trade. 

• Submarine Optical Fibre Network project will strengthen base for Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Benefirs and Importance of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable

• The Submarine Cable will help A&N in getting cheaper & better connectivity and all the benefits of Digital India, especially in improving online education, tele-medicine, banking system, online trading and in boosting tourism. 

• According to the Prime Minister, Indian Ocean has been the centre of India's trade and strategic prowess for thousands of years and that Andaman & Nicobar is an important centre for India’s Economic-Strategic Cooperation. He said all the Islands of India would be playing an important role under India’s new trade strategy for Indo-Pacific region. 

• Andaman & Nicobar will be developed as hub of Port Led Development as it is at a Competitive Distance from many ports of the World and this will help to boost trade in 21st Century. 

• Under the Act-East policy, the role of Andaman and Nicobar in India's strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries connected to the sea is very high and is going to increase. 

• The Island Development Agency was formed 3 years ago to strengthen its role. IDA is chaired by Union Home Minister as Home Minister is its Chairman and CEO of NITI Aayog acts as its Convenor. 

• Apart from providing for better internet & mobile connectivity, the effort is to further improve physical connectivity through road, air and water. 

• The Prime Minister also referred to the work on two major bridges and the NH-4 in order to improve the road connectivity of North and Middle Andaman. He said the Port Blair Airport is being enhanced to handle a Capacity of 1200 passengers. Along with this the airports are ready for operations in Diglipur, Car Nicobar and Campbell - Bay. 4 Ships being built at Kochi Shipyard shall be delivered soon to improve the Water connectivity between the islands and the mainland. 

Boosting International Maritime Trade

• Government's focus is also on promoting Ease of Business in the sea and simplifying Maritime Logistics. Speedy construction of the deep draft inner harbour and the proposal to construct Trans-Shipment Port in Great Nicobar at an estimated cost of about Rs 10 thousand crores. This would enable big ships to anchor and would increase India’s share in maritime trade, along with new employment opportunities. 

• The Blue Economy like Fisheries, Aquaculture and Sea-Weed farming in the island will accelerate in commensurate with the modern infrastructure being developed in Andaman and Nicobar. The efforts of the Government will give Andaman and Nicobar, not only new facilities but also as a prominent place on the World Tourist Map.