Ocean Connect Maldives (OCM) has signed an agreement with Housing Development Corporation (HDC) to lease land in Hulhumale Phase II to establish the Submarine Cable Landing Station for OCM’s ongoing International Submarine Cable Project. This project aims to provide next-generation multi-terabit global connectivity via the India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) cable system, which will directly connect the Maldives to major internet hubs in the region.
Earlier this year on February 21, OCM entered a contract with Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (JIO), India’s largest 4G and mobile broadband digital service provider, to connect the Maldives to leading Submarine Cable hubs in the Asia region. This initiative launched by the Government of Maldives is expected not only to meet the growing data demands, but also is expected to bring down the Internet tariffs to more affordable rates for the public.
To initiate the handover of the land, a special ceremony was held at HDC on November 05, 2022, where the Managing Director of OCM, Mr. Hussain Shihab, and the Managing Director of HDC, Mr. Ahmed Athif signed the land lease agreement for the Submarine Cable Landing Station.
The 200 Tbps IAX system, originates in Mumbai in the west and connects directly to Singapore, with branches including additional landings in India, Malaysia, and Thailand and the cable is expected to be ready for service by the end of 2023.
