Mumbai:

The inaugural call of the 2.56-terabit FLAG Global Cable Network, spanning four continents and 11 countries, was made between information and communications minister Dayanidhi Maran and Egypt''s minister of communications and information technology Tarek Kamel.

The FLAG cable system bridges the distance between 35 diverse developed and developing economies, connecting the global economic hubs in the US, the UK, Germany, France, the Middle East, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Japan to name a few.

The FLAG, the first and only global network of this scale, will provide integrated connectivity on one seamless network to the three highest growing regions - India, the Middle East and China - in terms of international bandwidth demand.

"In a world torn by violent disagreement and conflict Falcon will bring the calming influence of communication and dialogue. It will enhance the flow of ideas and information", Anil Ambani said at the inauguration. "Falcon will have an equally powerful impact on the economic front, driving higher levels of trade, commerce and global integration", he added.

The vision at Reliance ADA Group is to "give millions of ordinary people across the world the means to realise their dreams, the power to shape their destiny, the chance to fulfill their true and diverse potential" Ambani said.

"Falcon heralds a new era in the telecom landscape of the country by providing a reliable and cost-effective source of international bandwidth", Dayanidhi Maran said during the launch.

"The initiatives of Reliance and others will provide healthy competition and robust growth. The carriers will further bring down their tariff in line with the prevailing market prices. The benefits would soon be experienced by Indian enterprises and consumers. I am confident that availability of high quality international connectivity would catalyse the broadband revolution for the masses, and at the same time boost the vistas of the burgeoning ITES and BPO enterprises", Maran added.

Maran congratulated Ambani on FLAG Telecom Global Network becoming the world''s largest undersea cable system covering 65,000 route km, with the launch of Flacon.