Source: TH
Context: India is strengthening its digital connectivity with the launch of two new undersea cables, India Asia Xpress (IAX) and India Europe Xpress (IEX).
About Underwater Cables:
- What it is: Fiber-optic cables laid under the ocean to transmit data at high speeds globally.
- New Cables:
- IAX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
- IEX: Connects Chennai and Mumbai with France, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Djibouti.
- How they work:
- Fiber-optic technology transmits data using laser beams through thin glass fibres.
- Protected by layers of insulation, plastic, and steel wires.
- Buried under seabed near shores; laid directly on the ocean floor in deep sea.
- Features:
- Depth and Placement: Buried near shores; placed directly on seabed in deep waters.
- Data Capacity: Can carry up to 224 Tbps in new-generation cables.
- Durability: Protected with multiple layers; routed to avoid fault zones, fishing areas, and anchors.
- Speed: Faster and more cost-efficient than satellite communication for large-scale data transfer.
- Why Underwater Cables over Satellites?
- Higher Capacity: Cables handle far more data than satellites.
- Cost-Effective: Cheaper on a bit-for-bit basis for large-scale data transfer.
- Reliability: More stable connections compared to satellites, especially for high-volume data.
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