Meta Plans Undersea Cable to Connect Five Continents for AI Expansion
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced an ambitious project to lay an undersea cable that will span five continents. This initiative is aimed at enhancing global digital connectivity and supporting the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
The undersea cable, named “Project Waterworth,” will stretch over 50,000 kilometers and connect the United States, South Africa, India, Brazil, and several other regions. Meta disclosed the project details in a blog post, emphasizing the significance of bolstering global data infrastructure.
Expanding Undersea Cable Networks
Global digital communication depends on an extensive network of undersea cables, totaling approximately 1.2 million kilometers, according to a 2024 report by the U.S.-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). These cables form the backbone of internet connectivity, facilitating high-speed data transmission across continents.
Undersea cables can range from short regional links to vast systems that connect multiple continents. Typically, they consist of multiple pairs of fiber-optic cables encased in an armored sheath for protection. To safeguard these critical infrastructures, cables are often buried several meters beneath the seabed.
Meta’s Strategic Move into Undersea Infrastructure
Traditionally, undersea cable infrastructure was dominated by dedicated telecom providers. However, tech giants such as Meta and Google have increasingly entered this domain, recognizing the strategic advantage of owning data transmission pathways.
According to Alan Mauldin, Research Director at data firm Telegeography, “At some point when your growth is so big and your demand volumes outweigh other people’s, you’re incentivized to invest yourself, cutting out the middleman.”
Meta’s latest initiative represents a multi-billion-dollar investment, part of a broader trend in the tech industry where companies allocate tens of billions annually to AI and data infrastructure. The expansion into undersea cables aligns with Meta’s goal of improving global internet access while ensuring a resilient and high-speed network to support AI-driven innovations.
Project Waterworth: Meta’s Third Solely-Owned Cable
Meta has previously participated in consortium-led cable projects but is now increasing its independent investments. “Project Waterworth” marks the company’s third undersea cable as a sole owner, placing it behind Google, which owns 16 undersea cables worldwide.
The first cable fully owned by Meta, “Anjana,” links the United States and Spain and is expected to become operational early this year. “Waterworth” is named in honor of Gary Waterworth, a former Meta employee who played a key role in undersea cable projects before his tenure at the company. He had previously worked at Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), a leading firm in undersea cable installation.
ASN, along with U.S.-based SubCom, Japan’s NEC, and China’s HMN, is among the few companies worldwide capable of laying undersea cable networks. These infrastructure projects require specialized expertise and advanced technology to install and maintain cables over vast oceanic distances.
Strengthening Network Resilience and AI Connectivity
The increasing involvement of tech giants in undersea cable projects is not just about expanding capacity; it is also about improving network resilience. Mauldin highlighted the importance of redundancy in undersea networks, stating, “One new big, high-capacity cable doesn’t do you any good… You need to have three or four because if one goes down, two go down, you can still route the traffic.”
Cables are vulnerable to natural disruptions such as underwater landslides and tsunamis, as well as human-related damages like ship anchors and fishing activities. On average, around 200 incidents of cable damage occur each year, making redundancy a critical aspect of maintaining uninterrupted global connectivity.
Beyond accidental damage, undersea cables are also potential targets for sabotage and espionage. Recognizing these risks, NATO launched dedicated patrols in the Baltic Sea in January following suspected attacks on telecom and power cables, which some experts and politicians have attributed to geopolitical tensions with Russia.
AI Driving the Demand for Data Infrastructure
One of the key motivations behind “Project Waterworth” is the increasing data demands driven by AI advancements. As AI continues to develop, it requires vast amounts of data to train and operate efficiently. Meta has emphasized that the new undersea cable will support AI innovation by providing “abundant, high-speed connectivity.”
According to Telegeography’s Mauldin, AI is the hottest topic in the industry, but its exact impact on undersea cable demand remains uncertain. AI model training involves massive data transfers to computing clusters worldwide, while AI inference—the process of responding to user prompts—also requires substantial bandwidth.
Tech giants with extensive data center networks have a significant advantage in this space. Companies like Microsoft, which backs OpenAI, and Google and Amazon, which support Anthropic, are also key players in AI and data infrastructure expansion. With its growing involvement in undersea cable projects, Meta is positioning itself to ensure optimal connectivity for its AI-driven platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Avoiding Geopolitical Hotspots
Notably, “Project Waterworth” strategically avoids areas of geopolitical tension, such as the South China Sea and the Red Sea. These regions have been the subject of territorial disputes and security concerns, making them riskier for infrastructure projects.
By selecting a route that steers clear of these hotspots, Meta aims to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical instability. This approach aligns with the company’s long-term strategy of securing reliable data transmission channels while expanding its global footprint in digital infrastructure.
Conclusion
Meta’s “Project Waterworth” represents a significant investment in the future of global connectivity. By extending its undersea cable network, Meta is not only improving internet access but also strengthening its AI infrastructure. With data demand surging due to AI advancements, resilient and high-speed networks are more crucial than ever.
As the tech industry continues to evolve, initiatives like “Project Waterworth” underscore the growing influence of digital giants in shaping the world’s data landscape. Meta’s commitment to enhancing global communication through strategic investments in undersea cable infrastructure places it at the forefront of the next era of digital connectivity.
