A new submarine cable has been successfully installed and connected to Hulhumalé, on Friday, August 11, marking the initiation of the link between the Maldives and the global international network grid.
The Ocean Connect Maldives-India Asia Express (OCM-IAX) connects the Maldives to one of the largest submarine cable network initiatives led by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio.
Under the India-Asia Express (IAX) initiative, the cable has been linked to the Maldives through Hulhumalé. This cable has been successfully laid and connected to the Ocean Connect Maldives' cable landing site. The project falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economic Development, to enhance accessible and cost-effective internet connectivity throughout the Maldives.
Speaking at the event on Friday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih expressed that the integration of the Maldives into the global cable network will significantly advance the nation's aspiration to establish itself as a technological hub within the Asian region.
"This is the first time Maldives is connecting to an international cable network. The establishment of this cable landing marks the beginning of the digital era for the Maldives and paves the way to bridge the divide between commerce and technology of the world's east and west," President Solih said.
President Solih described the submarine cable initiative as an opportune moment for local internet service providers to enhance their service offerings. He further said that the international cable project will help Maldivian internet service providers to reduce expenses while providing faster internet connections to consumers at more affordable price points.
- Internet connectivity at gigabyte speeds for government agencies
- Reduce expenditure of interconnectivity between agencies
- Establishment of a comprehensive communication network in the Maldives
- Enable internet access through Government Network of Maldives
The President's Office said that this strategic endeavor, led by the economic ministry, is poised to inaugurate a new era of technological and socio-economic progress. The project is set to deliver over eight times the current capacity, initiating a next-generation ultra-high-speed system.
The President's Office further elaborated that the initiative aims to provide ultra-high speeds for internet and data transfer over the course of the next 25 years. Additionally, the ultimate goal of this initiative is to foster economic diversification within the Maldives and establish the nation as a key communications hub in South Asia.
Ocean Connect Maldives envisions a twofold reduction in internet access costs from the current rates through the implementation of the OCM-IAX initiative and double the internet capacity.
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