Islamabad, Nov 30: A significant infrastructure investment is being made by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and a major player in the worldwide internet consumption market. The business, which currently controls 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile internet traffic, is preparing to install a new, privately owned undersea cable that will span the entire globe.
This massive project, which spans more than 40,000 kilometers, might cost Meta up to $10 billion, according to insiders who spoke to TechCrunch. The corporation will now be the exclusive owner and operator of this global cable, further securing its control over its network infrastructure and bolstering its expanding AI investments. This represents a huge shift for the company.
Many Years Will Be Needed
Even though it is still in its early phases, Meta’s proposed subsea cable project is quite expensive. As the multi-year project develops, the initial budget of $2 billion is expected to grow to over $10 billion.
Complete operation is still years away, even if the project goes according to plan. There may be delays because key clients like Google have already reserved space for specialized companies like SubCom that can develop such infrastructure.
The project’s existence was verified by TechCrunch’s sources, who pointed out that while planning is under progress, actual building has not yet started. They refused to talk about specifics of the budget. Early in 2025, Meta is expected to make a public announcement outlining the cable’s capacity, route, and the company’s justification for starting this significant infrastructure project.
Areas That the Cable Covers
The goal of Meta’s proposed subsea cable is to build a specialized data pipeline that circles the world. According to sources, the intended route would have the shape of a “W,” connecting the east coast of the United States with India via South Africa and then continuing from India to the west coast of the United States via Australia.
The Obstacles
Ranulf Scarborough, an expert for the submarine cable sector, points out the major obstacles that Meta’s project faces. Scarborough explains that the availability of cable ships is very limited. He adds that they are expensive and reserved years in advance.
One of the biggest challenges is obtaining the resources required for a timely buildout. As a potential remedy, Scarborough proposes a staggered, segment-by-segment construction strategy. It is important to note that Meta has already improved Pakistan’s connectivity by laying a significant underwater cable that connects it to many other regions of the world.
