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Meta to Build $10B, 40,000 km Subsea Cable Connecting U.S., India, South Africa, Australia

Nov 29, 2024, 02:39 PM

Meta Platforms is planning to build a massive $10 billion subsea fiber-optic cable network spanning over 40,000 kilometers around the globe. The project aims to enhance global internet connectivity and support the company's data-intensive services such as Facebook and WhatsApp. Meta currently accounts for 10% of all fixed and 22% of mobile internet traffic. The cable will reportedly connect the U.S. East Coast to India via South Africa, and then to the U.S. West Coast via Australia, forming a "W" shaped route that strategically avoids geopolitical hotspots like the Red Sea. Beginning with an initial $2 billion budget, the investment could total more than $10 billion and supports AI growth. Meta will be the sole owner of this subsea cable, marking its first fully-owned global fiber-optic network. The company is expected to publicly announce more details about the project in early 2025.