NEC Corporation India (NEC India) together with NEC Corporation today announced the successful completion of a flagship optical submarine cable system in Southern India connecting Kochi and the Lakshadweep Islands.
Japan-based NEC has been a global vendor in the submarine cable system business for over 60 years, manufacturing submarine cables, submarine repeaters, and terminal station equipment, in addition to coordinating marine surveys and route design, equipment installation work, cable laying, training and delivery testing.
The Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI) was developed under the Government of India’s ‘Digital India’ Mission. It was funded by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, and the project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a telecommunications company under the ownership of the Government of India.
The system connects Kochi, a major port city in India, with 11 Lakshadweep islands: Agatti, Andrott, Amini, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Kiltan, Kelpeni, and Minicoy. So far, these islands did not have adequate digital connectivity with poor mobile phone and internet services. But now, their digital trans formation can finally begin.
According to a press release, “NEC India was awarded with this project by BSNL in September 2021, completing it ahead of schedule in June 2023. Spanning approximately 1,870 kilometers, the system offers an initial capacity of 2×100 Gbps, expandable up to 1,600 Gbps per fibre pair.”
It further said, “Providing ample bandwidth for voice and data connectivity, the cable supports e-Governance initiatives, facilitates new enterprises, and enables e-commerce facilities. Aligned with the Digital India Mission, it aids knowledge sharing in educational institutes and ensures electronic access to Government services for citizens.”
Aalok Kumar, Corporate Officer & Senior VP – Head of the Global Smart City Business at NEC Corporation, and President & CEO of NEC Corporation India, said, “This initiative not only puts Lakshadweep on the digital map, it also galvanises socio-economic growth of the region.”
“Following the successful completion of an optical submarine cable system connecting Chennai, India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N Islands) in December 20201, NEC is honoured to yet again take part in this prestigious project which we hope will open a wide range of opportunities for the people on the Lakshadweep Islands,” said Atsushi Kuwahara, Managing Director, Submarine Network Division, NEC.
