PM Modi launches Optical Fibre Cable in Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Here’s all you need to know
In a major boost to the country’s telecom sector and ensure high-speed broadband connectivity, PM Modi has inaugurated the first-ever under sear Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connecting Chennai and Port Blair.
The submarine cable will also connect Port Blair to several islands, including Long Island, Little Andaman, Swaraj Dweep (Havelock), Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, and Rangat.
From Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman, and Port Blair to Swaraj Island, the service has started in a large part of Andaman and Nicobar from today.
I wish the people of Andaman & Nicobar for this connectivity filled with endless opportunities: PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/VfALHbaO5a
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 10, 2020
PM Modi said it is the nation’s responsibility to provide modern telecom connectivity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ people.
Using the Chennai – Andaman and Nicobar Islands optical fibre link, all telecom service providers in the country would be able to provide their mobile and broadband services.
According to official data, the Internet with a speed of around 400 GB per second will be provided at Port Blair, while for other islands it is expected to be nearly 200 GB per second.
It is to be noted here that the project is funded by the government through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Ministry of Communications.
Inauguration of the submarine Optical Fibre Cable in Andaman and Nicobar Islands ensures:
High-speed broadband connectivity.
Fast and reliable mobile and landline telecom services.
Big boost to the local economy.
Delivery of e-governance, telemedicine, and tele-education. pic.twitter.com/GWGFUGFMw1
— PIB India (@PIB_India) August 10, 2020
About 2,300 km of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid at a cost of about Rs 1,224 crore, and the project has been completed in time.
Here’s the full speech:
The project’s foundation stone was laid by the PM on December 30, 2018.