Meta has announced plans for a massive 50,000km sub-sea cable project, connecting the US, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions. The project will be the world’s longest underwater cable system when completed.
The tech giant is seeking to expand its presence in technology beyond social media, including artificial intelligence (AI) and infrastructure that supports it. Project Waterworth aims to provide “industry-leading connectivity” to five major continents, enabling greater economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and technological development in these regions.
Using a 24 fibre-pair system, the cable will have higher capacity than previous systems. The project is part of Meta’s efforts to extend its reach beyond social media, as seen in the company’s investments in AI and connectivity projects.
However, concerns over sub-sea cables’ vulnerability to attacks or accidents are growing. Meta has stated that it will take measures to protect against such threats, including laying the cable system up to 7,000 meters deep and using enhanced burial techniques in high-risk areas.
The project is significant, with tech firms like Google already investing heavily in sub-sea cable infrastructure. The rising importance of sub-sea cables highlights the growing influence of big tech companies in global connectivity, and Meta’s ambitions reflect this shift.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgrgz8271go