Flag's falcon submarine cable system launched

New Delhi, Sep 5 (UNI) The 2.56 terabit Falcon submarine cable system of FLAG telecom, a Reliance Communication subsidiary was today formally launched by Communication and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran.

The 400 million dollar project will connect 11 countries with India on its entire length of 11,859 Km route from Mumbai to Egypt.

''In a world torn by violent disagreement and conflict, Falcon will bring the calming influence of communication and dialogue,'' Chairman Reliance ADA group Anil Ambani told reporters here.

Falcon will have an equally powerful impact on the economic front, driving higher levels of trade, commerce and global integration, he added.

Our initiative is to provide seamless connectivity through a single netowrk, Mr Ambani opined. He also thanked its partner Alcatel for the completion of the project before schedule.

''We live in a small world and the new initiative will make it even more smaller,'' Mr Ambani said.

This cable system is the world's largest private submarine cable system spanning four continents and connecting over 35 countries.

The move will cater to the rapidly growing communications requirements of India with the rest of the world, by providing cost-effective and reliable international connectivity solutions to Indian enterprises and consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Maran said the country's two telecom players MTNL and BSNL have joined hands to lay high speed submarine cable system connecting India to South-East Asia and West Asia and finally to the US and Europe that would eventually speed up international long distance communications apart from bringing down the tariffs.

Mr Maran also urged the telecom companies to reduce the landing costs for the calls in the West Asian region which has a sizeable Indian population.

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