Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is embarking on an ambitious project to construct a 24,000 mile undersea internet cable. This initiative, estimated to cost over $10 billion, aims to enhance Meta’s connectivity and reduce dependency on external telecommunications infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Meta plans to build a 40,000-kilometer undersea internet cable, costing over $10 billion.
- The cable will be exclusively owned and operated by Meta, marking a significant shift in internet infrastructure ownership.
- The planned route of the undersea internet cable will avoid geopolitical hotspots to mitigate risks of sabotage.
- This undersea internet cable project would be the first that is fully owned by Meta, as it currently has partial stakes in 16 networks.
Project Overview
Meta’s proposed undersea internet cable will stretch approximately 25,000 miles, connecting the East Coast of the United States to South Africa, India, and Australia before returning to the West Coast.
This massive project is designed to support the growing demand for internet traffic generated by Meta’s platforms, which account for about 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile internet usage globally.
Strategic Importance
The decision to build this cable has been made after several strategic considerations:
- Control Over Infrastructure: By owning the cable, Meta can prioritize its data traffic, ensuring better service quality for its users.
- Geopolitical Safety: The cable’s route is designed to avoid areas known for geopolitical tensions, such as the Red Sea and the South China Sea, which have seen recent incidents of cable sabotage.
- Growing Demand: With the increasing reliance on digital services and artificial intelligence, Meta expects a huge surge in internet traffic, which calls for robust infrastructure.
- Economical Benefits: Meta claims that a project of this magnitude would contribute to the growth of the economy in the regions covered. They cite Project Marea as an example.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the ambitious plans, Meta faces several challenges:
- Limited Availability of Cable Laying Ships: The specialized ships required for laying the cable are currently booked for years, complicating the timeline for the project.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Navigating international regulations and securing necessary approvals from various countries will be crucial for the project’s success.
- Long Timeline: The project is expected to take several years to complete, with initial segments potentially expected to start operations by 2029 or 2030.
The Future Of The Initiative
Meta’s initiative to construct an undersea internet cable spanning the globe represents a significant investment in its infrastructure, and a strategic move to enhance its global connectivity.
As the company prepares to unveil more details in early 2025, the tech community is eager to see how this project will improve internet connectivity and data management.
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