Meta to build $10 billion subsea cable to expand global internet infrastructure
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is making waves in the tech infrastructure space with plans to build a massive 40,000-kilometer fiber-optic subsea cable. This ambitious project, which could exceed $10 billion in investment, marks Meta’s first fully owned and operated subsea cable—a significant milestone in the company's quest to enhance its global internet infrastructure.
A Strategic move to support expanding AI and user traffic
As one of the largest drivers of internet traffic worldwide, Meta accounts for 10% of all fixed internet usage and 22% of mobile traffic. With its investments in AI poised to increase data demands further, the company is taking proactive steps to secure the infrastructure needed to support its platforms and users.
This new subsea cable project aims to provide Meta with dedicated bandwidth to manage its global traffic, ensuring faster and more reliable connectivity for its services. Sources indicate the planned route will span from the U.S. East Coast to India via South Africa and return to the U.S. West Coast through Australia.
Avoiding geopolitical risks
Meta's cable route is carefully designed to bypass regions prone to geopolitical tensions, such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and the Strait of Malacca. Recent incidents, including suspected cable sabotage in the Baltic Sea and other regions, have highlighted the vulnerabilities of global internet infrastructure. By avoiding these high-risk areas, Meta aims to minimize disruptions and ensure uninterrupted service.
A shift in subsea cable ownership
Traditionally, subsea cables were funded and managed by telecom consortia. However, in recent years, tech giants like Meta, Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have increasingly taken ownership stakes in these critical infrastructures. Meta is already part-owner of 16 existing subsea networks, including the 2Africa cable encircling the African continent. This new project, however, sets a precedent as Meta’s first solo subsea endeavor, giving it full control over the cable’s capacity and operations.
The road ahead
Although plans are still in the early stages, industry experts predict the project will unfold over several years. SubCom, one of the few companies capable of constructing subsea cables, is already booked by major clients like Google, which could extend the timeline. Analysts also anticipate the cable will be built in segments due to resource constraints and the project’s complexity.
