Rising geopolitical tensions and recent disruptions in global internet infrastructure have exposed a critical vulnerability in India’s digital backbone. The threat is no longer theoretical. It is already visible.
In September 2025, multiple undersea internet cables in the Red Sea were damaged, disrupting connectivity across Asia and the Middle East, including India. The incident affected key systems such as SMW4 and IMEWE, which carry a significant portion of data between continents. Internet speeds slowed, latency increased, and services relying on global servers experienced disruptions.
This was not an isolated event. The Red Sea corridor, through which a large share of global internet traffic passes, has become increasingly vulnerable due to a mix of geopolitical tensions, shipping activity, and accidental damage. Attacks on commercial ships, anchor-related incidents, and regional instability have all contributed to making this region a digital chokepoint.
For India, the implications are significant.
A Hidden Dependency on Undersea Cables
India’s internet ecosystem is significantly dependent on submarine cables. Around 95 to 99 percent of global data traffic travels through these cables, forming the backbone of modern communication.
India is connected to the global internet through about 17 undersea cables landing at a handful of major coastal points such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, and Tuticorin. These cables link the country to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
While this network provides high-speed connectivity, it also creates structural risks:
• A large portion of traffic passes through limited routes
• Key landing stations are concentrated in a few coastal hubs
• Any disruption in international waters can impact domestic internet performance
Even domestic telecom operators rely on these global cable systems to deliver services. When international bandwidth is affected, the impact trickles down to businesses, financial systems, and everyday users.
When Cables Break, India Feels It
The Red Sea cable cuts in 2025 demonstrated how fragile this system can be. Internet speeds in India dropped as operators were forced to reroute traffic through alternative, longer routes. This led to congestion and slower performance across networks.
Globally, such disruptions are not rare. Cable damage has historically caused outages across regions, including India, as seen in previous incidents in 2008 and beyond.
Repairing these cables is also time-consuming and complex. It can take weeks or even months due to the limited availability of specialised repair ships and challenging underwater conditions.
Satellite Internet: A Parallel Backbone
This is where satellite internet systems like Starlink come into focus.
Unlike traditional internet infrastructure, Starlink operates using a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites. These satellites transmit data directly between space and ground stations, bypassing the need for undersea cables.
Key differences include:
• No reliance on physical cable routes
• Faster deployment in remote or disrupted regions
• Lower latency compared to older satellite systems
• Ability to function during disasters or conflicts
Satellite networks do not replace fibre cables, which remain more efficient for large-scale data transfer, but they act as a crucial backup layer. In times of disruption, they can maintain connectivity when traditional infrastructure fails.
Why India Needs Its Own System
India’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, with over a billion internet users and a growing dependence on cloud services, fintech platforms, and real-time communication. In this context, a domestic satellite internet network would significantly strengthen the country’s digital resilience. It would reduce dependence on vulnerable global chokepoints and give India greater control over its data infrastructure, improving digital sovereignty. Such a system would also ensure continuity of services during crises such as wars, natural disasters, or major outages, when traditional cable networks may be disrupted. At the same time, it could accelerate internet access in rural and remote regions where laying fibre is difficult and costly. In an increasingly connected world where digital infrastructure is closely tied to national security and economic stability, developing an independent satellite-based backup network is becoming a strategic necessity for India.
India’s Current Efforts and Limitations
India is not starting from scratch. Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprises, has already deployed hundreds of satellites.
However, its current model has limitations:
• Focused mainly on enterprise and government clients
• Limited direct-to-consumer services
• Smaller scale compared to Starlink
Other players, including Reliance’s partnership with SES and Starlink itself, are also exploring the Indian market, but regulatory and security challenges have slowed widespread rollout.
The Challenges Ahead
Building a Starlink-scale system is not easy.
• High capital investment running into billions of dollars
• Complex satellite deployment and maintenance
• Spectrum allocation and regulatory hurdles
• Space debris and congestion risks
Additionally, satellite internet currently cannot match the massive capacity of fibre cables, meaning it must complement, not replace, existing infrastructure.
A Strategic Shift, Not Just a Tech Upgrade
The Red Sea incidents have highlighted a larger reality. Internet infrastructure is no longer just about speed and access. It is about resilience, control, and security.
India’s reliance on global cable networks has served it well so far, but evolving geopolitical risks are changing the equation. A satellite-based internet layer could act as a safeguard against future disruptions.
As global tensions rise and digital dependence deepens, the question is no longer whether India should build a Starlink-like system. It is how soon it can scale one.
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