NEC Successfully Completes Submarine Cable System Linking Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands

Jan 13, 2024: NEC Corporation India (NEC India) and NEC Corporation have announced the successful completion of the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI) system in Southern India. The flagship optical submarine cable spans approximately 1,870 kilometers, connecting Kochi, a major port city in India, with 11 Lakshadweep islands. The system, developed under the Government of India’s ‘Digital India’ Mission, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Funded by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) under the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, the project was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a telecommunications company under the ownership of the Government of India. NEC India was awarded the project in September 2021 and completed it ahead of schedule in June 2023.

The KLI submarine cable system offers an initial capacity of 2×100 Gbps, expandable up to 1,600 Gbps per fiber pair. It connects 11 Lakshadweep islands, including Agatti, Andrott, Amini, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kavaratti, Kiltan, Kelpeni, and Minicoy. The cable supports voice and data connectivity, facilitating e-Governance initiatives, new enterprises, e-commerce facilities, knowledge sharing in educational institutes, and electronic access to government services.

Aalok Kumar, Corporate Officer & Senior VP – Head of the Global Smart City Business at NEC Corporation, and President & CEO of NEC Corporation India, expressed pride in facilitating comprehensive internet connectivity for the Lakshadweep Islands. He emphasized that the project aligns with the Digital India Mission, fostering opportunities in e-governance and digital empowerment across the region.

Atsushi Kuwahara, Managing Director, Submarine Network Division, NEC, acknowledged the significance of the project in opening opportunities for the people on the Lakshadweep Islands. He thanked USOF (DOT), BSNL, Indian government agencies, and the people of the Lakshadweep Islands for their support in bringing the project to completion.

The KLI project exemplifies NEC’s commitment to connecting the unconnected and empowering communities through cutting-edge technology. NEC, a leading global vendor in the submarine cable system business for over 60 years, has played a crucial role in manufacturing submarine cables, repeaters, terminal station equipment, marine surveys, route design, equipment installation work, cable laying, training, and delivery testing. The project demonstrates NEC’s ability to respond quickly and flexibly to growing demand for new submarine cables, especially with the increased adoption of 5G and the surge in data traffic between data centers worldwide.