Context:

Prime Minister inaugurated the first-ever undersea optical fi bre cable project for Andaman and Nicobar Islands which will provide high-speed broadband connections in the union territory at par with services in the mainland.

About:

• The project envisages better connectivity from Chennai to Port Blair and seven other Islands — Swaraj Deep (Havelock), Long Island, Rangat, Hutbay (Little Andaman), Kamorta, Car Nicobar, and Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar).
• It is funded by the government through the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Ministry of Communications.

Submarine Communication cable

• A submarine communications cable is a cable laid on the seabed between land-based stations to transmit telecommunication signals across stretches of ocean and sea.
• Compared to satellites, using an internet connection through submarine cables is more reliable, cost-efficient, and of large capacity.

The government has approved the provision of submarine optical fiber cable connectivity between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands, using the Universal Service Obligation Fund. The project entails the provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep — Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan, and Kadmat.