Bharti Airtel, one of India’s leading telecom operators, has taken a significant step in enhancing global internet connectivity by landing the 2Africa Pearls subsea cable in the country. This initiative, undertaken in partnership with center3 and Meta, is part of the larger 2Africa subsea cable system, which aims to be the longest undersea internet cable in the world.
Spanning over 45,000 kilometers, the 2Africa cable will link Asia, Africa, and Europe via the Middle East, significantly improving internet infrastructure across these regions. Airtel, known for its extensive investment in global subsea cables such as i2i, Europe India Gateway (EIG), and IMEWE, is serving as the landing partner for this high-capacity network in India.
A Global Initiative for Enhanced Connectivity
The 2Africa Pearls cable is backed by a powerful consortium of global telecom and technology giants, including Bayobab, center3, China Mobile International, Meta, Orange, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone Group, and WIOCC. The project’s production and installation are being handled by Alcatel Submarine Networks, a leader in undersea cable manufacturing.
By expanding global connectivity, the cable system aims to provide improved and more affordable internet access across multiple regions. The 2Africa network is expected to significantly enhance data transfer speeds, boost cloud infrastructure, and support the growing demand for digital services in Asia, Africa, and beyond.
India’s Growing Role in Global Digital Infrastructure
With the landing of the 2Africa Pearls cable, India further strengthens its position as a crucial hub in global internet connectivity. The cable’s arrival will not only enhance internet speeds and reliability for Indian consumers but will also benefit businesses relying on high-speed international data transfers.
Airtel’s involvement in the project aligns with its long-term vision of strengthening digital infrastructure and expanding internet accessibility. As India continues to push for digital transformation, investments in projects like 2Africa will play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless global connectivity.
The completion of the 2Africa subsea cable system marks a transformative step in bridging digital divides across continents and is poised to be a game-changer for the future of internet connectivity worldwide.
