PM Modi LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated the submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), connecting Chennai and Port Blair, on Monday, via videoconferencing as the government looks to connect remote Indian areas with other other regions of the country. The same is also expected to provide a major push to e-commerce, small businesses, tourism and employment in the islands region, PM Modi sad. In 21st century, connectivity will play a crucial role in port trade and hence there is a need to strengthen connectivity in island regions, he said, adding that the government looks to boost trade in islands. Meanwhile, Bharti Airtel has followed up on the OFC launch with rolling out its own Ultra 4G services in the islands. “Everyone will be able to avail the benefits of all kinds of online services amid the pandemic. Andaman and Nicobar Islands will now face no problem in connecting virtually to the world,” the Prime Minister said during a virtual interaction on the islands, earlier, which was also attended by BJP chief J P Nadda. The cable will also connect Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep (formerly named Havelock Island), Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long Island, and Rangat. Earlier, PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for the project on December 30, 2018 in Port Blair.
PM Modi HIGHLIGHTS: Ultra fast 4G in Andaman by Airtel; undersea telecom cable to boost digital connectivity
PM Modi LIVE: PM Modi has inaugurated the submarine Optical Fibre Cable, connecting Chennai and Port Blair. Sunil Mittal Bharti's Airtel has followed up the launch with rolling out its own ‘Ultra-Fast 4G’ services in the islands.
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This article was first uploaded on August ten, twenty twenty, at seventeen minutes past ten in the morning.
“The new fiber link marks a major milestone in India’s digital transformation journey as this critical infrastructure reaches the strategic archipelago. We are grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for taking the time to launch this key digital infrastructure," Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman, Bharti Airtel said.
"With the commissioning of the fiber link, Airtel has become the first mobile operator to launch ‘Ultra-Fast 4G’ services in Andaman and Nicobar. The blazing fast speeds on Airtel’s 4G network will deliver a world-class digital experience to customers on the islands," Bharti Airtel said in a statement.
4G mobile services, which were constrained due to limited backhaul bandwidth provided via satellite will also see a major improvement.
About 2300 Kms of Submarine OFC cable has been laid at a cost of about Rs 1224 Crore, and the project has been completed in time.
Noting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are strategically located for trade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the region is going to be developed as a "maritime and startup hub" as he highlighted his government's development initiatives for it. At an interaction with BJP workers from the region a day before he is to inaugurate a submarine optical fibre cable between Chennai and these group of islands, he said it will boost Internet connectivity in a big way.
"2,300-km cable will not just boost digital connectivity of Andaman Islands with the mainland but also boost tourism. Tourists going to Andaman will get a huge benefit of this facility because better net connectivity has become the first priority of any tourist destination," PM Modi said.
With better internet connecivity, small enterprises will benefit from opportunities in e-commerce, while educational institutions will utilize the enhanced availability of bandwidth for e-learning and knowledge sharing.
Study has started to promote sea weed farming in islands, PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that the 21st century trade is highly dependent on high connectivity and port trade is no different.
The submarine OFC link will deliver bandwidth of 2 x 200 Gigabits per second (Gbps) between Chennai and Port Blair.
Govt's digital connectivity project will help in enhancing tourism and employment in islands, PM Modi said.
PM Modi said that the Andaman and Nicobar connectivity project bears testimony to the govt's aim of boosting ease of living.
PM Modi sayid that the undersea broadband connectivity project is a gift to islands before the Independence Day.
PSU BSNL was given the charge to lay cables for the project.
Port Blair is as much an industrial region as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, PM said.
PM Modi has launched submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), connecting Chennai and Port Blair, on Monday, via videoconferencing.