Meta has announced plans to construct a 50,000km sub-sea cable network that will span the globe. The project, named Waterworth, aims to connect the US, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions. The cable will use a 24 fibre-pair system, giving it a higher capacity than its predecessors.
Meta says the project will provide “industry-leading connectivity” and support the company’s AI projects. Sub-sea cables are crucial for powering digital services and transferring data globally at high speeds. Over 95% of the world’s internet traffic relies on them.
There are currently over 600 publicly-known sub-sea cable systems worldwide. Tech firms have significantly increased their investment in cable infrastructure in recent years.
Meta’s global cable network
Google announced plans to build the first sub-sea cable connecting Africa and Australia, along with a $1bn investment for two new cables in the Pacific Ocean. Professor Vili Lehdonvirta of the Oxford Internet Institute noted that the responsibility for funding and laying these cables is increasingly being undertaken by large technology companies rather than national telecom firms. This reflects the growing economic power of big tech firms.
The rising importance of sub-sea cables has brought concerns about their vulnerability to attacks or accidents. NATO launched a mission to increase surveillance of ships in the Baltic Sea, and a UK parliamentary committee addressed concerns over potential disruptions. Meta stated that the cable system would be laid up to 7,000 meters deep and employ enhanced burial techniques in high-risk areas to avoid damage.
The route aims to connect the US with significant markets in the Southern hemisphere. Overall, Project Waterworth underscores Meta’s strategic move to expand its technological ecosystem and connectivity capabilities globally. It represents a multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment to strengthen digital infrastructure.
Image Credits: Photo by Julio Lopez on Unsplash
