Meta Unveils Project Waterworth: A 50,000 km Undersea Cable Connecting the US and India
Meta has announced Project Waterworth, an ambitious plan to construct a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable system. This extensive network aims to connect the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions, surpassing the Earth’s circumference of approximately 40,075 kilometers. The project is designed to enhance global digital connectivity and support the company’s growing infrastructure needs, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI) advancements.
Enhancing Global Connectivity
The primary objective of Project Waterworth is to provide industry-leading connectivity across five continents. By establishing new oceanic corridors, the initiative seeks to facilitate greater economic cooperation, promote digital inclusion, and open avenues for technological development in the connected regions. In particular, Meta emphasizes that in India, where significant growth and investment in digital infrastructure have already been observed, this project will accelerate progress and support the country’s ambitious plans for its digital economy.
Technical Specifications and Infrastructure
The undersea cable system will utilize a 24 fiber-pair architecture, significantly increasing data transmission capacity compared to traditional systems that employ 8 to 16 fiber pairs. The design includes routing the cable through deep waters, reaching depths of up to 7,000 meters, to optimize performance and resilience. Additionally, enhanced burial techniques will be employed in shallow, high-risk areas to protect the infrastructure from potential hazards such as ship anchors.
Supporting AI Innovation
As AI continues to transform industries and societies globally, the demand for robust and reliable connectivity has become more critical. Project Waterworth aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to support AI innovation, ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are accessible to everyone, regardless of their location. This initiative aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to invest in infrastructure that can handle the increasing data requirements of AI applications and services.
Timeline and Investment
While specific financial details have not been disclosed, Meta describes Project Waterworth as a multibillion-dollar, multiyear investment. The company anticipates that the project will be completed toward the end of this decade. This long-term commitment underscores Meta’s dedication to enhancing global digital infrastructure and its confidence in the transformative potential of improved connectivity.
Addressing Geopolitical and Security Concerns
The announcement of Project Waterworth comes at a time when the security of undersea cables has garnered international attention. Incidents of cable damage due to geopolitical tensions have highlighted the vulnerabilities of existing infrastructure. In response, Meta’s project incorporates advanced design and protective measures to enhance the resilience of the cable system, aiming to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical conflicts and natural hazards.
By undertaking Project Waterworth, Meta aims to strengthen its control over the management of its services and ensure the necessary infrastructure for the development of its products, especially those based on artificial intelligence. This initiative positions Meta alongside other tech giants investing in undersea cable projects to secure and enhance their global service delivery capabilities.
