Meta has embarked on the world’s longest submarine cable project, stretching over 50,000 kilometers and connecting five major continents. The project, dubbed Project Waterworth, aims to enhance global connectivity and support the growing need for high-speed internet infrastructure.
The 24-pair submarine cable will connect the US, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. Meta did not provide specific details on routes, costs, or completion dates, but described it as a “multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment.”
To tackle the challenges of deploying such a long cable, Meta is using innovative techniques, including enhanced burial methods in shallow waters to avoid damage from ship anchors. The company’s goal is to build the longest 24 fiber pair cable project in the world and maintain high levels of resilience.
The project was met with welcome news from US and Indian governments, which have launched a bilateral forum to advance coordinated investments in economic connectivity. India has committed to investing in maintenance, repair, and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean.
Meta’s participation in over 20 subsea cable projects in the past decade is driven by its need to support the growing demand for AI-driven infrastructure. The company believes that capacity, resilience, and global reach are crucial to supporting leading-edge infrastructure.
Analysys Mason forecasts significant growth in the submarine cable market, with hyperscalers like Meta playing a key role. The report predicts a 22% increase in the global submarine fiber-optic telecom cable market by 2029, driven by investment in new systems and efforts to improve route diversity.
Source: https://www.lightreading.com/cable-technology/Meta-unveils-Project-Waterworth-subsea-cable-initiative