Link: Meta is building the ‘mother of all’ subsea cables

Meta plans to construct an exclusive subsea cable network, investing $10 billion in a 40,000+ kilometer project. This aims to circumvent global areas prone to geopolitical tensions and sabotage.

Known as "Project W" due to its shape, the cable will connect the US east and west coasts with points in India, South Africa, and Australia. This route specifically avoids regions with recent security threats to undersea cables.

Meta, already a co-owner in 16 networks, seeks complete control over this new cable. This would ensure prioritization of traffic for its services aligning with peers like Google, who own several cables outright.

Subsea cable specialist, Sunil Tagare, highlights "Project W" as monumental in scope, potentially taking 5-10 years to finalize. Tagare estimates the ambitious project at a $10 billion cost.

Current details about the project are limited as it is still in early planning stages. Meta is expected to disclose more specifics like capacity and definitive routes in early 2025.

The strategic design of the cable route aims to mitigate risks associated with cable cuts, relying less on the secretive repair network typically used. This enhances both security and operational efficiency for Meta. #

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