India Hosts First International Subsea Cable Conference
New Delhi witnessed a landmark event on March 25, 2025, as the Broadband India Forum (BIF) successfully hosted the first-of-its-kind International Subsea Cable Systems Conference. The conference gathered global and national experts to explore the critical role of subsea cables in India’s growing digital economy.
Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), stated, “India is witnessing an exponential growth in data consumption in line with global trends.” He highlighted that over 95 percent of global data traffic relies on these cables, and recent disruptions place emphasis on the need for strengthening these cables. “To safeguard our strategic and commercial interests, increasing cable landing stations and diversifying subsea routes is crucial,” Lahoti explained, commending BIF for organizing the timely discussion.
Aruna Sundararajan, Chairperson, BIF, noted the country’s potential to become a global subsea connectivity hub. “To realize this, it is imperative to expand the capacity of subsea infrastructure by 4 to 5 times, enhance resilience, and build redundancy in our subsea cable systems, moving with the global trends,” she explained. “We must prioritize this critical asset, especially amid shifting geopolitical landscapes.”
Adding to the topic of connectivity, Robert Ravi, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), highlighted the company’s focus on improving nationwide connectivity, stating, “From ocean depths to Himalayan heights, BSNL ensures secure, affordable, and reliable connections.”
Sonia Jorge, Executive Director, Global Digital Inclusion Partnership (GDIP), stressed the need for uninterrupted connectivity to drive socio-economic opportunities. She urged policymakers to address regulatory barriers that hinder subsea cable deployment, maintenance, and repair.
Circling back to the conference, it featured key industry leaders discussing challenges, investment-friendly policies, and strategies to expand the country’s subsea cable network. Experts emphasized the need for local repair facilities, regulatory reforms, and strategic investments to position India as a global subsea transit hub.
Image Source: Broadband India Forum