The Centre’s green panel has given the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance to Reliance Jio Infocom to build the Indian part of the Asia-Africa-Europe One (AAE-1) submarine cable system at Mumbai. AAE-1, the largest next generation subsea cable system spanning around 25,000 km and linking South Asia to Africa and Europe via the Middle East, is being constructed by a consortium of 17 global service providers. The Indian part of the project will be implemented by Reliance Jio.

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the ministry has granted the CRZ approval to the Reliance Jio Infocom’s project that envisages landing of the AAE-I submarine cable system at Versova beach in Mumbai. The proposed AAE-1 cable system is to be completed this year. It aims at enhancing telecom connectivity, providing additional capacity and speed for international traffic. Reliance Jio, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries, holds spectrum in 1800 MHz (across 14 circles) and 2300 MHz (across 22 circles) capable of offering fourth generation (4G) wireless services.

 Reliance Jio 

• Jio, also known as Reliance Jio and officially as Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL), is an upcoming provider of mobile telephony, broadband services, and digital services in India.
• Formerly known as Infotel Broadband Services Limited, Jio will provide 4G services on a pan-India level using LTE technology.
•  The telecom leg of Reliance Industries Limited, it was incorporated in 2007 and is based in Mumbai, India.
• The services were beta launched to Jio’s partners and employees on December 27, 2015 on the eve of 83rd birth anniversary of late Dhirubhai Ambani, founder of Reliance Industries. It will commercially launch its services in March 2016.