Meta is planning a groundbreaking infrastructure project to build a 40,000+ kilometer fiber-optic subsea cable encircling the globe, with an investment exceeding $10 billion. This will be Meta's first solely-owned subsea cable.
Meta's Global Internet Dominance
Meta significantly influences global internet traffic:
- 10% of all fixed internet traffic
- 22% of all mobile traffic
- Second-largest driver of internet usage globally
Project Details and Timeline
The project, in its early stages, will be formally announced in early 2025. The cable will form a "W" shape, connecting:
- U.S. East Coast to India via South Africa
- India to U.S. West Coast via Australia
The initial budget is $2 billion, expected to increase as the project progresses.
Strategic Importance
Infrastructure Control
Meta aims to:
- Own data traffic infrastructure
- Ensure priority capacity for its global properties
- Enhance service quality for international users
Geopolitical Security
The route avoids conflict zones and vulnerable areas such as:
- The Red Sea
- The South China Sea
- The Straits of Malacca
- Marseilles
- Singapore
Technical Implementation Challenges
Challenges include:
- Limited specialized cable-laying ships
- Extended booking times for essential equipment
- Competition for resources with other tech giants like Google
Meta's Growing Infrastructure Portfolio
Meta currently has partial ownership in 16 existing networks, including the 2Africa cable. This new project significantly expands its infrastructure capabilities, aligning with the trend of tech companies controlling their network infrastructure.
Indian Connection
India is a key node due to Meta's large user base:
- 375 million Facebook users
- 363 million Instagram users
- 536 million WhatsApp users
The Indian connection may support future AI infrastructure developments, though this is a long-term consideration.
