Meta Unveils ‘Project Waterworth’: A Groundbreaking 50,000 km Global Subsea Cable Initiative
In a significant development for global connectivity, Meta has officially announced its ambitious subsea cable initiative, named Project Waterworth. This project aims to enhance the company’s control over its digital services, which currently serve billions of users worldwide. Spanning an impressive 50,000 kilometers, it is set to become the world’s longest subsea cable project.
Overview of Project Waterworth
Meta’s Project Waterworth will connect five continents, with landing points strategically located in:
- United States
- Brazil
- India
- South Africa
- Various other key regions
The project is particularly focused on enhancing opportunities in India and will play a crucial role in the rollout of AI services globally.
Innovative Technology and Infrastructure
Meta is pioneering new technology with this subsea cable project. Key features of the network include:
- 24 fiber pair cables
- First-of-its-kind routing to maximize cable length in deep waters
- Deployment at depths of up to 7,000 meters
- Advanced burial techniques to minimize faults in high-risk areas
These innovations are designed to ensure the reliability and efficiency of the network amidst geopolitical challenges.
Geopolitical Context and Collaborations
Geopolitical factors have significantly influenced Meta’s decision to establish its own subsea infrastructure. Recently, a joint leaders statement from U.S. President Joe Biden and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted mutual cooperation in developing undersea technologies, which includes Meta’s Waterworth project. The statement noted:
“Supporting greater Indian Ocean connectivity, the leaders also welcomed Meta’s announcement of a multi-billion, multi-year investment in an undersea cable project that will begin work this year.”
India’s involvement includes financing and maintenance of the subsea cables in the Indian Ocean, utilizing trusted vendors.
Applications of Project Waterworth
The subsea cable will facilitate a wide range of applications, including:
- Digital communication
- Enhanced video experiences
- Online transactions
According to Meta’s VP of engineering, Gaya Nagarajan, and global head of network investments, Alex-Handrah Aimé, Project Waterworth represents a significant investment to improve the scale and reliability of digital infrastructure worldwide.
Meta’s Subsea Cable History
This is not Meta’s first foray into subsea cable projects. The tech giant is a part-owner of 16 existing networks, including the 2Africa cable, which encircles the African continent. However, Project Waterworth will be the first subsea cable wholly owned by Meta, aligning the company with other tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, who are also investing heavily in subsea infrastructure.
For more insights into subsea cable projects and their implications for global connectivity, visit Telegeography.
