Meta Unveils Ambitious $10 Billion Underwater Cable Project
Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is embarking on a groundbreaking underwater cable project estimated to cost over $10 billion. The ambitious initiative aims to span approximately 25,000 miles, with Meta seeking exclusive ownership of the cable’s capacity.
In a strategic move to enhance global connectivity while mitigating geopolitical risks, the planned route will avoid potential hotspots such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and the Straits of Malacca. The cable is expected to originate on the US East Coast, with key stops in South Africa and Darwin, Australia, before reaching India.
While the project is still in its early planning stages, with no public details on capacity or exact routing, Meta’s South Africa office is spearheading the effort. Industry expert Sunil Tagare suggests the initial cost could be around $2 billion, potentially escalating to over $10 billion within the next decade.
This initiative places Meta in direct competition with other tech giants in the submarine cable arena. Google currently owns 17 submarine cable holdings, while Amazon and Microsoft have partial ownership in several others. Meta itself is already a part owner of several cables, including the 2Africa project.
The proposed cable system faces significant logistical challenges, including the limited availability of specialized cable-laying ships. Completion of the project is expected to take several years, with speculation arising about India’s potential role due to its cost-effective data center construction capabilities.
Meta’s ambitious undertaking underscores the growing importance of secure and reliable global telecommunications infrastructure in an increasingly connected world. As the project develops, it is set to reshape the landscape of international data transmission while navigating complex geopolitical waters.
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