Meta Prepares to Build a $10 Billion Global Data Cable

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is embarking on a groundbreaking infrastructure project: a fiber-optic subsea cable spanning over 40,000 kilometers across the globe.

Accordng to TechCrunch, the project is estimated to cost more than $10 billion and marks a pivotal shift for Meta as it becomes the sole owner and operator of a global data cable for the first time.

This ambitious undertaking aims to support the massive data demands of Meta’s platforms, which account for 10% of global fixed internet traffic and 22% of mobile usage. As Meta expands its investments in AI, reliable and robust infrastructure becomes critical to ensuring seamless data delivery.

Sources close to Meta confirmed that the subsea cable is in its planning stages, with more details, including its route and capacity, expected to be revealed in early 2025. The proposed route forms a “W” shape, stretching from the U.S. East Coast to India via South Africa, and then looping back to the U.S. West Coast through Australia.

This design strategically avoids geopolitical hotspots such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and the Strait of Malacca, minimizing risks associated with regional tensions.

Analysts believe that the cable’s termination in India could facilitate the development of AI-focused data centers in the region. With computing costs in India significantly lower than in the U.S., the country is emerging as a potential hub for AI training and development.

Geopolitical factors also play a role in Meta’s plans. Subsea cables have increasingly become collateral damage in conflicts, such as recent disruptions in the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea.

By charting a route that bypasses known conflict zones, Meta aims to create a secure, resilient network.