Dhiraagu - SLT submarine cable to enhance Lanka-Maldives trade

Sri Lanka Telecommunication (SLT), the country's premier telecommunication service provider launched the Dhiraagu-SLT' optical fibre submarine cable system connecting Sri Lanka and the Maldives at the Trans Asia Hotel on Tuesday.

The SLT with Dhiraagu, the national telecommunication provider of the Maldives signed an agreement early this year for the submarine cable system with an investment of US$ 20 million.

The cable between Colombo and the Maldives spanning 850 kilometres at a capacity of 10 gigabits per second will connect the two countries with the rest of the world on a superhighway bandwidth.

The construction and maintenance agreement for the 'SLT-Dhiraagu' cable system was signed in June which preceded a supply contract agrement with Japan, the contractor for the project.

SLT Chairman, Asoka Weerasinghe said the submarine cable system signals a new dimension in the telecommunication industry of the South Asian region.

This facility while strengthening relations in the region will enhance trade and economic development through an effective communication network, he said.

CEO SLT, Shoji Takahashi said Sri Lanka Telecom has submarine cable links connecting all major countries and through the cable system there will be global connectivity.

Takahashi said with the rapid developments in the telecommunication industry an efficient technology of this nature will benefit all major sectors contributing to the development of the country.

The agreement with Dhiraagu is SLT's second bilateral tie up on optical fibre cable systems following the setting up of the Bharat-Lanka cable system with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd of India in October this year.

SLT Deputy General Manager International Transmissions, Sunil Liyanage said SLT is in the process of evolving its telecommunication network to an NGN (next generation Network) on IP-MPLS technology using optical fibre to provide multiple services on one network.

The cable system will support SLT's operations in Hong Kong and become a regional telecommunication facilitator with the SEA-ME-WE3 and 4 technology, Liyanage said. SLT recently commenced operations as a fully owned subsidiary in Hong Kong providing services to global telecom operators and corporates in the country.

(LF)