I-2SEA Submarine Cable System

I-2SEA Submarine Cable System is an undersea digital infrastructure project envisaged by a consortium of tech giants. It aims to meet the growing digital demands between India and Southeast Asia. Read here to learn more.

A consortium comprising Microsoft, Singtel, Tata Communications, and Lightstorm has signed agreements to develop the India-Southeast Asia (I-2SEA) submarine cable system, a next-generation undersea digital infrastructure project.

The cable aims to meet the rapidly growing demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, hyperscaler services, and high-speed data connectivity between India and Southeast Asia.

What is the I-2SEA Submarine Cable system?

The India-Southeast Asia (I-2SEA) is a carrier-neutral submarine fibre-optic cable system connecting India’s east coast with Malaysia and Singapore.

It is designed to provide:

• High-capacity data transmission
• Low-latency connectivity
• Reliable AI and cloud infrastructure support
• Enhanced digital resilience across the Indo-Pacific region

The project is expected to become operational by Q4 2029.

What are Submarine Cables?

Submarine cables are undersea fibre-optic communication cables laid on the seabed to transmit digital information between countries and continents.

They carry:

• Internet traffic
• International telephone calls
• Financial transactions
• Cloud computing data
• AI workloads
• Streaming services
• Government communications

Today, over 99% of global international internet traffic is carried through submarine fibre-optic cables rather than satellites.

Route of I-2SEA

The cable system spans approximately 3,600 kilometres.

Indian Landing Stations

• Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
• South Chennai (Tamil Nadu)

International Landing Points

• Malaysia
• Singapore

Machilipatnam provides the shortest submarine route to Hyderabad, a rapidly emerging AI and data centre hub.

Through Lightstorm’s terrestrial fibre network, the system will further connect:

• Hyderabad
• Mumbai
• Over 80 data centres across India.

Key Features of I-2SEA

Carrier-Neutral Infrastructure

• The landing stations will be carrier-neutral, allowing multiple telecom operators and service providers to use the infrastructure without exclusivity.

Interoperable Cable Architecture

• Designed to support multiple network operators with seamless interoperability and future scalability.

Deep Cable Burial

Critical sections of the cable will be buried deep beneath the seabed to protect against:

• fishing activities,
• ship anchors,
• natural hazards,
• accidental damage.

AI-Optimised Network

The system is specifically designed for:

• AI model training,
• AI inference,
• hyperscale cloud computing,
• GPU clusters,
• enterprise data centres.

Smart Network Management

The cable will integrate with:

• Lightstorm SmartNet AI Fabric
• Polarin Platform

These platforms provide:

• unified monitoring,
• automated provisioning,
• network optimization,
• AI-driven traffic management.

Why is I-2SEA Important?

Supports India’s AI Ecosystem

The cable provides high-speed connectivity for:

• AI research,
• machine learning,
• large language models,
• GPU cloud infrastructure,
• high-performance computing.

Strengthens Cloud Infrastructure

Global hyperscalers such as Microsoft require enormous bandwidth for:

• Azure cloud services,
• enterprise computing,
• data storage,
• cloud applications.

The cable significantly increases available international bandwidth.

Low-Latency Connectivity

The route offers one of the fastest data transmission paths between:

• Singapore,
• Malaysia,
• Hyderabad,
• Mumbai.

Reduced latency is critical for:

• AI applications,
• financial trading,
• cloud gaming,
• video conferencing,
• real-time analytics.

Enhances Digital Resilience

• Multiple cable landing stations improve network redundancy.
• If one route is disrupted by earthquakes, cable cuts, or accidents, traffic can be rerouted through alternate paths.

Boosts India’s Data Centre Industry

Hyderabad, Chennai and Mumbai are rapidly emerging as global data centre hubs. Better international connectivity attracts:

• hyperscalers,
• cloud providers,
• AI companies,
• fintech firms,
• multinational enterprises.

Supports Digital India

The project aligns with India’s vision of becoming:

• a global digital economy,
• an AI innovation hub,
• a trusted data centre destination.

Significance for India

• Strengthens India-Southeast Asia digital connectivity.
• Supports Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and cloud ecosystems.
• Improves India’s role in the Indo-Pacific digital economy.
• Enhances resilience against disruptions in global internet infrastructure.
• Promotes India’s emergence as an AI and hyperscale data hub.
• Accelerates investments in digital infrastructure and semiconductor ecosystems.

Challenges

• High capital investment and maintenance costs.
• Vulnerability to natural disasters such as earthquakes and underwater landslides.
• Risks of cable damage due to fishing activities and ship anchors.
• Cybersecurity and physical security concerns.
• Need for international cooperation in maintaining cross-border digital infrastructure.

Way Forward

• Expand submarine cable landing stations along India’s coastline.
• Develop indigenous cable manufacturing and maintenance capabilities.
• Strengthen cybersecurity for critical digital infrastructure.
• Promote carrier-neutral digital infrastructure to enhance competition.
• Integrate submarine cable expansion with India’s AI, semiconductor, and data centre strategies.
• Enhance regional digital partnerships under the Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), and Digital India.

Conclusion

The I-2SEA submarine cable represents a major step in strengthening India’s digital infrastructure and its position as a regional hub for AI, cloud computing, and hyperscale connectivity.

By linking key technology centres in India with Southeast Asia through a high-capacity, low-latency fibre-optic network, the project will enhance digital resilience, support the growth of data centres and AI ecosystems, and reinforce India’s role in the rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific digital economy.