Meta Launches World's Longest Subsea Cable to Boost Global Connectivity

2025-02-17 data

Amsterdam, Monday, 17 February 2025.
Meta’s Project Waterworth will lay a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable connecting five continents to enhance AI infrastructure and digital access, a multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment.

Unprecedented Scale and Reach

Meta’s ambitious Project Waterworth, announced on February 14, 2025, will span over 50,000 kilometers - surpassing the Earth’s circumference - making it the world’s longest subsea cable project [1][3]. The cable will connect major regions including the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa [2][8], utilizing the highest-capacity technology available with 24 fiber pairs, significantly exceeding the typical 8 to 16 fiber pairs of other systems [2].

Technical Innovation and Security

The project employs groundbreaking engineering solutions, including first-of-its-kind routing techniques that allow cable placement at depths reaching 7,000 meters [2][3]. Enhanced burial techniques will be implemented in high-risk areas, particularly in shallow coastal waters, to protect against damage from ship anchors and other potential hazards [2]. This infrastructure will be crucial for global digital communication, as subsea cables currently handle more than 95% of intercontinental internet traffic [2].

Strategic Partnerships and Investment

The initiative has received strong governmental support, with both the US and Indian governments formally welcoming the project on February 15, 2025 [6]. India has committed to investing in maintenance, repair, and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean region [8]. While specific costs haven’t been officially disclosed, the project represents a multi-billion dollar investment [3][8].

Future Impact on AI and Global Connectivity

Project Waterworth aims to strengthen the world’s digital infrastructure by opening three new oceanic corridors [2][8]. Meta emphasizes that this enhancement is crucial for supporting the growing demands of AI innovation and ensuring that emerging technologies remain accessible globally [2]. The project marks Meta’s first independently developed undersea cable [5], representing a significant milestone in the company’s infrastructure development strategy.

Bronnen

undersea cable connectivity