Ocean Connect Maldives (OCM) has revealed surveys are underway for the project to install submarine cables to connect to an international submarine cable system.
On February 21, OCM, a subsidiary of the 100% government-owned Maldives Fund Management Corporation Limited (MFMC), signed an agreement with Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited of India to establish a direct connection to the India-Asia-Xpress (IAX) submarine cable. The project would provide international gateway connections to the East and the West, enabling direct integrations from Singapore to Europe while foregoing existing reliance on third-party hubs such as Sri Lanka. The project is expected to serve as a catalyst for digital transformation in the Maldives and strengthen the digital backbone of the nation.
OCM stated the survey component of the project is underway at the Ocean Surveyor vessel. OCM said the survey would provide integrated geophysical and geotechnical data to finalise the installment plans and procedures of the submarine cable. As such, the seabed depth profiles and photographic maps would be produced as part of the survey.
OCM said although such a survey generally takes 4-6 months, it plans to complete the survey in record time. As such, OCM revealed plans to complete the survey in one month, which it said would be testament to the high priority placed by the government for this project.
The project is expected to lay the foundation for a new digital infrastructure in the Maldives, which will support growth in digital products, services and data consumption.