In a significant development for digital infrastructure in India, Bharti Airtel has landed the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable, delivering 100 Terabits per second of international network capacity for the country.
The submarine cable will connect to Airtel’s cable landing station (CLS) in Mumbai. This infrastructure addresses bandwidth constraints and communication challenges for enterprises seeking improved global connectivity.
“Subsea cables are the invisible lifelines of the digital world of today,” said Sharat Sinha, CEO of Airtel Business. “Carrying over 95% of global data traffic – from video calls and content streaming to financial transactions and cloud services, these cables power seamless, high-speed, low-latency connectivity across continents.”
By providing direct, high-capacity routes connecting India with Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, Airtel is addressing key connectivity challenges for enterprises operating in an increasingly globalized digital landscape.
“This isn’t just about capacity,” said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research. “Yes, 100 Tbps is impressive on paper — but what matters more is what it enables. Indian enterprises have long been at the mercy of legacy undersea cables — low throughput, fragile routes, and indirect paths that added unnecessary latency.”
Technological significance and global demand
The rising global demand for connectivity underscores the critical nature of this infrastructure.
“Businesses are becoming increasingly global and digital-first, with industries such as financial services, data centers, and social media platforms relying heavily on real-time, uninterrupted data flow,” Sinha added.
The 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system spans 45,000 kilometers, involving a consortium of global telecommunications leaders including Bayobab, China Mobile International, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC. Alcatel Submarine Networks is responsible for the cable’s manufacturing and installation, the statement added.
This cable system is part of a broader global effort to enhance international digital connectivity. Unlike traditional telecommunications infrastructure, the 2Africa Pearls project represents a collaborative approach to solving complex global communication challenges.
“The 100 Tbps capacity of the 2Africa Pearls cable significantly surpasses most existing submarine cable systems, positioning India as a key hub for high-speed connectivity between Africa, Europe, and Asia,” said Prabhu Ram, VP for Industry Research Group at CyberMedia Research.
According to Sinha, Airtel’s infrastructure now spans “over 400,000 route kilometers across 34+ cables, connecting 50 countries across five continents. This expansive infrastructure ensures businesses and individuals stay seamlessly connected, wherever they are.”
Gogia further emphasizes the broader implications, noting, “What also stands out is the partnership behind this — Airtel working with Meta and center3 signals a broader shift. India is no longer just a consumer of global connectivity. We’re finally shaping the routes, not just using them.”
Enterprise connectivity implications
For Indian enterprises, the cable offers several critical advantages.
The 100 Tbps capacity provides unprecedented bandwidth for businesses requiring high-speed international data transfer. Reduced latency through direct routing between India, Africa, and Europe minimizes communication delays, which is critical for time-sensitive business operations.
“India’s digital economy has been enjoying a significant growth momentum,” Ram pointed out. “The 2Africa Pearls project will further accelerate India’s position in the global digital economy, fostering innovation in emerging technologies by ensuring reliable and scalable connectivity.”
The infrastructure is expected to reduce overall network communication costs, creating a more economical environment for international business communications. Small and medium enterprises in sectors like information technology, financial services, e-commerce, and digital content creation stand to benefit most from these improvements. The enhanced network performance can level the playing field for businesses competing in global markets.
“This provides Indian enterprises with enhanced access to African and European markets, enabling faster data transfer and enhanced digital service delivery,” Ram added.
Economic impact and future investment
The cable landing has broader implications for technological development in India. Enterprises can now leverage the enhanced network capabilities for AI and cloud computing with improved international bandwidth. The Internet of Things will find more sophisticated implementation possibilities, and edge computing strategies gain support through reduced latency.
Discussing the long-term economic implications, Gogia provides critical insight: “If we’re serious about India becoming a digital economy powerhouse, we need to stop thinking of connectivity as a utility and start treating it like national infrastructure.”
Airtel’s Sinha reinforces this perspective, highlighting that “the rising demand for faster, more resilient connectivity underscores the need for continuous investment in subsea infrastructure. We continue to invest in strengthening and expanding our subsea network to meet the evolving demands of global businesses.”
The company’s investment demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to telecommunications infrastructure. By continuously expanding and diversifying network capabilities, Airtel is positioning itself as a critical enabler of digital business transformation. For enterprises, this development represents more than just technological improvement — it’s an opportunity to reimagine international business operations in an increasingly connected world.
Source:: Network World