India’s Growing Undersea Cable Network

Syllabus: GS3/ Infrastructure

In Context

• The launch of India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe Xpress (IEX) undersea cables significantly expands India’s connectivity to Asia and Europe, reflecting the country’s growing data usage and digital ambitions.
  • IAX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
  • IEX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti.

What are Undersea/ Submarine Cable?

• Fibre optic cables laid on the ocean floor to connect countries globally for internet and telecommunications.
• These cables form the backbone of global digital infrastructure.
• Laid using specially modified ships designed for this purpose. The process involves precise planning to avoid obstacles and ensure durability.
• Carry approximately 99% of the world’s international internet traffic, making them indispensable for global communication.
• Recognized as “critical communication infrastructure” by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2010.
• These cables face threats from fishing, anchoring, natural events like earthquakes and tsunamis, and occasional damage by marine animals.

Significance of India’s Expanding Undersea Cable Network

• Geopolitical Significance: These expansions are not just about increasing bandwidth but also about strategic positioning and strengthening India’s presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Security and Resilience: India is taking a more proactive role in discussions around submarine cable security, recognizing the vulnerability of these critical infrastructure assets to both physical damage and cyberattacks.
• Emerging Player: India is becoming a major player in the undersea cable network, particularly in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea.

Connectivity Concerns

• Disruptions: Recent disruptions to undersea cables have highlighted the vulnerability of internet connectivity and the need for redundancy and alternative routes.
• Choke Points: The reliance on the Malacca Strait as a major transit point for cables creates a potential vulnerability. Exploring alternative routes is crucial.
• Domestic Resilience: India is also focusing on strengthening domestic connectivity to ensure that services can be maintained even in the event of international disruptions.

What are Optical Fibers? – They are incredibly thin strands of very pure glass or plastic. They transmit information in the form of light pulses. How do they work? – They work on the principle of Total Internal Reflection (TIR). An optical fiber has a central core surrounded by a cladding layer. The core has a slightly higher refractive index than the cladding. – When light enters the core at a certain angle, it keeps bouncing off the cladding due to TIR, traveling down the fiber with minimal loss. Advantages of Optical Fibers – High Bandwidth: They can carry a huge amount of data compared to traditional copper wires. – Low Signal Loss: Light signals travel with very little loss over long distances. – Fast Transmission: Data transmission is incredibly fast due to the speed of light. – No Interference: Optical fibers are immune to electromagnetic interference, ensuring signal integrity. Applications – Telecommunications: The backbone of high-speed internet and phone networks. – Medical Imaging: Used in endoscopes to see inside the body. – Data Centers: Connect servers and storage devices. – Sensors: Used in various sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, etc. Father of Fiber Optics – Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany is widely recognized for his pioneering work in fiber optics. – He demonstrated that light could be bent and transmitted through curved glass fibers, laying the foundation for modern fiber optic technology.

Source: TH