Meta is taking a big step forward with a colossal project. The company plans to build a 40,000-kilometer undersea cable that will span the world.
This ambitious project could cost more than 10 billion dollars and will be wholly owned and used by Meta. This cable marks an important step in the company’s efforts to strengthen its infrastructure.
Meta is not a beginner in underwater infrastructure, but this cable will be a first. Unlike its previous projects, Meta will be the sole owner of this cable. This is a big change from the previous situation. So far, Meta has only co-invested in existing networks. For example, she participated in the 2Africa project which encircles the African continent. The planned cable will this time be completely under his control.
A strategic investment to support its growing activity
This submarine cable will play a crucial role in supporting the enormous traffic demand generated by users of its services. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp represent a significant portion of global Internet traffic. They represent 10% of fixed traffic and 22% of mobile traffic. With AI taking up more and more space in Meta’s activities, demand will continue to increase.
The project should start with a budget of 2 billion dollars. However, it could exceed 10 billion as it develops. According to experts, construction will take several years. This is due to the complexity of the project and the limited number of specialist companies, such as SubCom, capable of carrying out this type of work.
A cable that will connect the United States, India and Australia
The planned route of the cable will extend from the United States to India. It will pass through South Africa, then connect India to Australia. Finally, it will return to the West Coast of the United States. This route, which forms a “W” around the globe, was designed to provide Meta with a direct and dedicated connection between these regions.
Once completed, the cable will ensure an exclusive data channel for Meta. This will allow it to guarantee the capacity necessary to meet global demand. However, it is still too early to determine when the project will be completed. Experts estimate that construction could take several years.
Why does Meta want to control its own submarine cable?
The main interest for Meta in building and controlling its own submarine cable is simple: to guarantee better performance for its users. By having this cable, Meta will be able to choose its data transmission capacity. This will ensure that the company can meet the growing needs of its services.
Moreover, as Google, Amazon et MicrosoftMeta seeks to gain greater control over the infrastructure needed to deliver content and manage advertising. This model is becoming increasingly popular among technology companies. They prefer to invest directly in submarine networks, rather than depend on traditional telecommunications operators.
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