DCC approves submarine fibre connectivity from Kochi to Lakshadweep, last-mile connectivity under BharatNet and use of VSAT for defence forces

The Digital Communications Commission (DCC) has approved submarine fibre cable connectivity between Kochi and Lakshadweep island.

The project involves connecting 11 islands through 2,041 km of submarine fibre cables.

However, the proposal which entails total investments worth Rs 10.72 billion including capital expenditure of Rs 8.37 billion and operating expenses of Rs 2.35 billion, requires the cabinet’s approval.

After the contract gets awarded, the two-way connectivity project will be completed in 24 months from the date of the approval.

As per the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), existing bandwidth connectivity is 1GBPS which the government is aiming to increase to 1.71 GBPS by June 2020.

Meanwhile, DoT has also approved last-mile connectivity under the BharatNet project. Of the two Wi-Fi access points already approved earlier, one will remain as an access point and the other will be used to provide fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) to connect five institutions in a gram panchayat.

In another important decision, the DCC has approved using of very small aperture terminal (VSAT) for providing connectivity to defence/paramilitary forces in border areas or remote areas.