Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 03, 2024, inaugurated the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands submarine optical fiber connection (KLI-SOFC) project. The ambitious project was launched in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, among various developmental works worth more than Rs 1,150 crore covering a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education.
The KLI-SOFC project will lead to an increase in internet speed unlocking new possibilities & opportunities.
For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable.
The dedicated submarine OFC will ensure a paradigm shift in communication
infrastructure in the Lakshadweep islands, enabling faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, digital literacy, etc.
“This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, education and digital banking. The potential of developing Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this,” PM Modi had said.
The Prime Minister assured the people of Lakshadweep that the government will continue to take every possible step to ensure their ease of living, ease of travel and ease of doing business.
He highlighted that “Lakshadweep will play a strong role in the creation of a Viksit Bharat.”
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, but it also galvanises socio-economic growth of the region. With a forward-looking data capacity and a focus on connecting people globally, we’re proud to facilitate comprehensive internet connectivity for the islands, aligning with the Digital India Mission and fostering opportunities in e-governance and digital empowerment across 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 2020, 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, MD, submarine network division, NEC.
Background-Kochi-Lakshadweep Submarine OFC (KLI) Project
The need for digitally connecting the Lakshadweep Islands through a high-capacity submarine cable link with the mainland has been felt for some time. Earlier, the only means of communication with the Islands was through Satellite medium, which had limited bandwidth capacity and was not able to meet the growing bandwidth demand.
In the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI) project submarine cable connectivity from Mainland (Kochi) to eleven Lakshadweep Islands namely, Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan, Bangaram and Bitra have been extended.
The project is funded by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunication.
Major activities related to the project include Marine Route Survey, Submarine Cable laying, Civil Construction of CLS stations, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of End Terminals (SLTE).
The project will play a significant role in achieving the objective of ‘Digital India’ and ‘National Broadband Mission’ and in rolling out various e-governance projects of the Government of India in Lakshadweep Islands.
E-Governance, Tourism, Education, Health, Commerce and Industries will get a boost. It will also help in further improvement in the standards of living of the people on the Island and will accelerate overall social and economic development in these areas.
The population of Lakshadweep Islands will be provided with high-speed wireline broadband connectivity.
High-speed broadband will be provided through FTTH and 5G/4G Mobile networks.
The bandwidth created under this project will be available to all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to strengthen their telecom services in the Lakshadweep Islands.
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