Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar Islands Cable (CANI)

Overview

The Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar Islands Cable, commonly referred to as CANI, is a submarine cable system that provides critical telecommunications connectivity between mainland India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. With a total length of approximately 2,300 kilometers, this domestic cable system links nine landing points, ensuring robust communication infrastructure for one of India's most remote and geographically dispersed regions. Operational since 2020, CANI represents a significant investment in bridging the digital divide for the island chain, which lies deep in the Bay of Bengal. The cable is owned and operated by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), India's state-owned telecommunications provider.

Designed to meet the unique challenges of connecting isolated island communities, CANI delivers modern, high-capacity submarine connectivity, replacing older and less reliable communication systems. Its deployment has been instrumental in supporting the socio-economic development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enabling improved access to digital services, education, healthcare, and e-governance for the residents of this union territory.

Route and Landings

CANI's route begins at Chennai, a major metropolitan city and port in the state of Tamil Nadu on the southeastern coast of India. From there, the cable traverses the Bay of Bengal to reach the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago located over 1,000 kilometers from the mainland. The system features eight landing points across the islands: Car Nicobar, Great Nicobar, Havelock, Kamorta, Little Andaman, Long Island, Rangat, and Sri Vijaya Puram. These landings are strategically distributed to serve both larger administrative hubs and smaller, more remote communities.

The cable's design reflects the geographic and demographic diversity of the islands. Great Nicobar, situated near the southernmost tip of the archipelago, serves as a key landing point for the southern region, while Havelock and Little Andaman cater to mid-sized islands with growing tourism and local economies. Smaller landings, such as those at Rangat and Long Island, ensure that even less populous areas benefit from reliable connectivity. The choice of Chennai as the mainland landing site leverages the city's established telecommunications infrastructure and its role as a hub for other submarine cable systems.

Ownership and History

The Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar Islands Cable is wholly owned and operated by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), a government-owned enterprise under India's Ministry of Communications. BSNL is responsible for managing telecommunications infrastructure across the country, with a particular focus on extending services to remote and underserved areas. The construction of CANI aligns with BSNL's mandate to enhance connectivity in regions where private sector investment is often limited due to high costs and logistical challenges.

The cable was declared ready for service in 2020, marking a milestone in India's efforts to modernize its telecommunications network in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Prior to CANI, connectivity to the islands relied heavily on satellite links, which were slower and less reliable. The introduction of submarine fibre-optic technology has significantly improved internet speeds and bandwidth, supporting a range of digital services that were previously unavailable or limited in the region.

What Our Measurements Show

Our live monitoring of the CANI system includes 39 measured corridors, providing detailed insights into its performance. The best recorded round-trip time (RTT) is 56 milliseconds, while the average RTT across all corridors is 227 milliseconds. These metrics indicate a significant improvement in latency compared to satellite-based systems, which are typically slower due to the greater distances involved in signal transmission.

The cable's performance underscores its capability to handle modern data demands, including high-speed internet, video streaming, and cloud-based applications. The distributed landing points ensure that connectivity is not centralized, reducing potential bottlenecks and improving access for smaller communities. By providing consistent and reliable connectivity, CANI plays a vital role in integrating the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into India's broader digital ecosystem, fostering economic growth and improving quality of life for its residents.