Meta's $10B Subsea Cable Project to Enhance Global Internet, Avoids Geopolitical Risks

Nov 29, 2024, 06:13 PM

Meta Platforms Inc. is embarking on a significant infrastructure project, planning to construct a $10 billion subsea fiber-optic cable network that will span over 40,000 kilometers around the world. The cable, dubbed 'W,' will connect the U.S., India, South Africa, and Australia, avoiding geopolitical hotspots like the Red Sea and the South China Sea. This ambitious endeavor aims to enhance global internet connectivity, particularly for Meta's services such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and will be the company's first fully-owned subsea cable. The project is expected to start with a $2 billion budget and could significantly boost data capacity, with Meta being the sole owner and user of this infrastructure. The cable's W-shaped route strategically avoids areas of geopolitical tension, and it is designed to handle up to 480 terabits per second.