Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is preparing to undertake an ambitious new project that could significantly shape the future of internet infrastructure. According to sources close to the company, Meta is planning to invest over $10 billion into building a massive subsea fiber-optic cable that will span more than 40,000 kilometers across the globe. This move represents a bold shift in how big tech companies are investing in the internet backbone to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality service for their growing global user base.
Why Build a Private Cable?
Meta, as one of the largest drivers of internet traffic worldwide, already accounts for a staggering 10% of all fixed internet traffic and 22% of mobile data usage, according to industry reports. With such a massive online presence, including billions of active users across its platforms, Meta’s data demands are constantly growing. The company’s investments in artificial intelligence (AI) are expected to drive even higher traffic volumes in the coming years. In response, Meta is taking matters into its own hands by building a dedicated subsea cable network that will ensure it has full control over the infrastructure needed to support this demand.
While Meta has historically shared infrastructure with other telecom carriers and tech companies, this new subsea cable project will be the first of its kind to be wholly owned by Meta. This decision allows Meta to prioritize its own data traffic, ensuring that its platforms—such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—operate smoothly for its massive global user base. Unlike traditional telecom companies that rely on consortiums to fund such projects, Meta’s move into owning its subsea cable reflects a shift in the industry, with tech giants now more aggressively securing their own infrastructure.
The Route and Scope of the Project
The proposed subsea cable will follow a distinctive “W” shape, spanning from the East Coast of the United States to India, passing through South Africa, and then heading to the West Coast of the U.S. via Australia. This carefully planned route has been designed to avoid politically unstable regions and areas prone to geopolitical tensions, such as the South China Sea, the Red Sea, and the Strait of Malacca. The goal is to ensure that Meta’s data remains secure and that the cable avoids known hotspots for disruption.
Although the project is still in its early stages, it is expected to take several years to complete. Industry experts warn that the availability of cable ships, which are necessary for laying subsea cables, is currently limited, with high demand and long wait times for construction. As a result, Meta may opt to build the cable in phases or segments, potentially stretching out the timeline even further.
Meta’s Growing Global Infrastructure
Meta has previously participated in shared subsea cable projects, including the 2Africa cable, which encircles the African continent. However, this new cable will mark the first time the company will have exclusive ownership of such infrastructure. By owning the cable, Meta will have greater control over the capacity and performance of its network, which is crucial as it continues to expand its services globally.
Beyond enhancing Meta’s own operations, the new cable could also have significant economic implications for the regions it serves. The company has previously touted the positive impact of its investments in subsea cables, claiming that projects like the Marea cable between the U.S. and Europe have contributed hundreds of billions of dollars to local economies. Similarly, the new global cable could help boost economic growth in countries along its route by improving access to high-speed internet and supporting local tech infrastructure.
The Push for Independent Infrastructure
The move to build and own a subsea cable is a response to the growing demand for control over internet infrastructure in an era where tech companies are becoming increasingly self-reliant. Meta, like other tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, is investing heavily in ensuring that its products and services are delivered with maximum efficiency. With greater control over the data pipelines that deliver content, including advertising, video, and other digital products, Meta can avoid relying on traditional telecom providers, who often face their own challenges in meeting the demands of modern internet traffic.
Geopolitical and Strategic Considerations
In addition to the operational and financial reasons for building its own subsea cable, Meta’s decision has a strong geopolitical component. In recent years, subsea cables have been targeted and damaged during conflicts, with some cables being cut by state-backed forces in regions like the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea. By controlling its own global infrastructure, Meta can mitigate the risks of these geopolitical threats and secure a more stable communication route.
Moreover, the company is positioning itself to navigate any future regulatory changes in the subsea cable industry. For example, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States recently announced plans to review subsea cable licensing, partly due to national security concerns. By owning its cable, Meta can avoid potential issues related to regulatory scrutiny and ownership disputes, which could arise if it relied on third-party providers for its international data traffic.
Potential AI Implications
While the main focus of the subsea cable project appears to be on ensuring the capacity needed for Meta’s global operations, there could be additional benefits related to the company’s expanding AI ambitions. With India’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem and lower costs for compute resources, the country could play a crucial role in Meta’s future AI development efforts. By building a dedicated route to India, Meta may be positioning itself to leverage the country’s burgeoning data center industry, which could support AI research, development, and training.
Meta’s AI initiatives have already had a significant impact on its products, and the addition of a robust subsea cable network could give the company the infrastructure it needs to scale these technologies even further. India, in particular, could become a key hub for AI research and processing, making it a strategic location for Meta’s long-term growth.
Conclusion
Meta’s $10 billion subsea cable project signals a dramatic shift in how tech companies are investing in internet infrastructure. By taking control of its own global network, Meta not only enhances its ability to serve billions of users but also secures its data and positions itself for the future of AI and global connectivity. While the project is still in its early stages, it represents a key moment in the evolution of internet infrastructure and the growing influence of tech giants like Meta in shaping the future of global communications.