India Fortifies Digital Backbone: New Cable Hubs Slash Internet Vulnerability
Overview
India and Australia are enhancing subsea cable resilience by diversifying Cable Landing Station (CLS) locations, reducing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. New hubs like Visakhapatnam and Australia's external territories aim to secure digital connectivity against disruptions, supporting growing data center needs and safeguarding national economies.
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Digital Infrastructure Gets Resilience Boost
Submarine cable networks form the essential backbone of global digital information flow, currently capable of carrying approximately 6,400 Terabits/sec (Tbps). India is a key player in this evolving infrastructure, with 18 cable systems connecting it to the world and four more proposed. These systems land at critical Cable Landing Stations (CLS), linking subsea capacity to terrestrial networks. Major Indian CLS hubs include Chennai, Mumbai, and Kochi.
Visakhapatnam Emerges as a Strategic Hub
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is rapidly becoming a significant center for data centers. Tech giants like Meta, Google, and Amazon are considering it as an alternate CLS location, envisioning it as a gateway to South and South-East Asia, and Australia. The proposed Open CLS in Visakhapatnam is notable as a carrier-neutral facility, allowing any licensed provider to land cables without building proprietary infrastructure, fostering fair competition and efficient connectivity.
Global Push for Diversification
Across the globe, countries are prioritizing CLS diversification to mitigate risks. Australia, for example, is exploring its external territories like Christmas Island for new cable landing points, mirroring India's efforts to enhance network reliability. Concentrated CLS locations, while commercially convenient, present significant vulnerabilities to natural disasters, anchor damage, or sabotage. Diversifying these pathways is strategically critical for digitally active economies.
Policy and Security Considerations
Recommendations from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in 2023 highlighted the need to classify subsea cables as 'Critical Information Infrastructure' with enhanced security. Similarly, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has established a center to promote regional subsea cable resilience. The principle of "diversity by design" is crucial for developing vital digital conduits that support contemporary society.
