News
The company currently has shared ownership of 16 subsea cables worldwide
Meta is planning a $10 billion subsea cable project spanning 40,000 kilometres around the world, according to a new report from TechCrunch, citing two confirmed sources close to the company.
Known for now as “W” in reference to its shape, this new system will be Meta’s first fully owned global subsea cable, connecting the east coast of the US to South Africa, India, Australia, and ultimately the west coast of America.
Importantly, Meta will be the sole owner and user of this subsea cable — a first for the company, which is already a partner in 16 existing submarine cables around the world.
The project aims to provide Meta with its own dedicated internet backbone to support the growth of its services globally, particularly given the rapid growth of AI.
According to the report, Meta Platforms, which include WhatsApp and Instagram, account for 10% of all fixed mobile traffic and 22% of all mobile traffic.
A key feature of the new route is that it is designed to avoid high-risk geopolitical regions like the Red Sea, South China Sea, and Straits of Malacca, addressing concerns about sabotage and vulnerabilities in existing global subsea infrastructure.
Exactly how quickly the cable can be deployed, however, remains to be seen. Submarine cable ships capable of fulfilling the project are few and often booked years in advance. AS a result, it seems likely that the cable will be deployed in stages and will not be fully operational for multiple years.
Speaking to TechCrunch, submarine cable expert Sunil Tagare explained that the plan is to begin with a $2 billion initial budget, but this will likely swell to $10 billion over the course of the project.
Meta has confirmed the existence of the plan but has not provided further details. A formal update on the project’s planned route, capacity, and purpose is expected early next year.
Also in the news:
Telefónica’s sale of Peruvian fibre network to KKR collapses
New European Commissioners set sights on bloc’s international competitiveness
China Unicom and Huawei showcase 5G-Advanced with new Beijing deployment