Meta announces the construction of the largest submarine cable

Meta, owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is set to build the largest subsea cable under Project Waterworth. This project, expected to be finished by the end of the decade, will span over 50,000 kilometers and use the highest-capacity technology available. This infrastructure will surpass 2Africa, the largest existing submarine cable (45,000 kilometers).

The cable will cover the five continents and allow better connectivity in the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions.

Meta communicated that the project is set to “strengthen the scale and reliability of the world’s digital highways by opening three new oceanic corridors with the abundant, high-speed connectivity needed to drive AI innovation around the world.” 

The cable will use 24 fiber pairs instead of the typical 8 to 16 fiber pairs of other new systems, allowing a higher data transmission capacity.  To date, the company has over 20 operating subsea cables.

The routing will seek to maximize the cable laid in deep water — at depths up to 7,000 meters — and in high-risk fault areas the company will use enhanced burial techniques to avoid damages from ship anchors and other hazards.

The company has not yet revealed the total investment required, mentioning that it will be multi-billion. For 2025, capital expenses are expected to range from $60 to $65 billion, “driven by increased investment to support both our generative AI efforts and core business.”