Submarine Cable Systems Face Rising Risks from Disasters, Geopolitics and Data Surge, Says TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti

Submarine cable systems, the backbone of the global digital economy, are facing mounting pressure from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions and surging data demand, according to Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

Addressing a conference on Subsea Cables and Digital Cloud Infrastructure organized by Broadband India Forum in New Delhi on Tuesday, Lahoti called for a multi-pronged strategy that blends technical innovation, operational resilience and policy reforms to safeguard critical digital infrastructure.

Submarine Cables: Backbone of the AI-Driven Digital Economy​

Describing submarine cable systems as central to the digital economy in the age of Artificial Intelligence, Lahoti emphasized that up to 99 percent of global intercontinental data traffic flows through these undersea networks.

However, their vulnerability to natural disasters and human activities continues to pose significant risks. He said geopolitical tensions and rising global data consumption are further intensifying concerns around security, reliability and capacity expansion.

To mitigate physical damage and outages, Lahoti highlighted the importance of improved route planning, installation in low-risk zones, real-time monitoring systems and the development of redundant routes. International cooperation and stronger regulatory frameworks, he noted, are essential to enhancing the overall resilience and security of these networks.

Cloud Infrastructure Also Under Strain​

Alongside submarine cables, digital cloud infrastructure is confronting its own set of challenges. These include data security threats, privacy concerns, service disruptions, operational costs, rising energy requirements and environmental impact. Cloud platforms must also continuously scale to meet accelerating digital demand.

Lahoti stressed that addressing these issues requires a balanced mix of technical, operational and policy solutions. For cloud systems specifically, he underlined the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks and continuous threat monitoring.

India’s Digital Surge Driving Infrastructure Demand​

Highlighting India’s rapid digital transformation, Lahoti pointed out that the country’s broadband subscriber base has expanded six-fold over the past decade, crossing the 1 billion user mark in November 2025.

This surge in connectivity has translated into record levels of data consumption. Indian mobile users now consume an average of 27 GB per month, placing the country among the highest globally in mobile data usage.

The sharp rise in data consumption, ongoing digitalization and the growth of Artificial Intelligence are accelerating demand for global data centers and submarine cable capacity.

Data Center Capacity Set to Expand Sharply​

Referring to the latest Economic Survey, Lahoti said India’s data center capacity is projected to increase significantly to 8 GW by 2030, up from 1.4 GW in the second quarter of 2025.

He added that India is expected to witness one of the fastest growth rates in the submarine cable market, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 7.4 percent. This expansion is being driven by digital growth, rising internet penetration and flagship government initiatives such as Digital India and the India AI Mission.

Call for Resilient and Inclusive Digital Infrastructure​

Lahoti concluded by emphasizing the collective responsibility of policymakers, telecom operators, cloud service providers and technology leaders. He urged stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure spanning subsea cables, terrestrial networks, satellite systems and scalable cloud platforms is resilient by design, inclusive in reach and ambitious in scope.

With digital connectivity and AI reshaping economies, strengthening submarine cable systems and cloud infrastructure has become central to national digital resilience and long-term economic competitiveness.