Meta Unveils Ambitious Project to Lay 40,000km Subsea Cable

In a move that mirrors its dominance in the digital landscape, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is reportedly planning a massive undersea cable project that will span the globe.

According to sources, the project aims to install a fibre-optic cable exceeding 40,000 kilometers in length, with an initial investment estimated at $2 billion. However, the total cost is expected to rise to approximately $10 billion as the project advances.

The planned cable route extends from the eastern United States to India via South Africa and then loops back to the western United States through Australia. When completed, the undersea cable is projected to provide Meta with a dedicated global data transmission network.

Industry analyst Ranulf Scarborough has warned that constructing such an extensive cable system will be expensive and booked out several years ahead due to high costs associated with building these cables.

"This isn't Meta's first foray into undersea communication cables," noted Scarborough, adding that the company is already a co-owner of 16 such networks, including the recently developed 2Africa cable.

While the exact budget specifics remain unclear,Meta is expected to release further details regarding the cable's route, capacity, and objectives in early 2025. The project's completion and full operational deployment are likely to take several years, reflecting its complexity and long-term vision.

With a significant presence in the global digital landscape, Meta's undersea cable project aligns with its growing role as a major player in internet infrastructure development.