Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is moving forward with a $10 billion project to build a privately owned fiber-optic subsea cable, reports Techcrunch.
Spanning 40,000 kilometers, the network is designed to circumvent high-risk regions while ensuring exclusive control over Meta’s growing data traffic. The cable, reportedly dubbed “W” for its planned route, will connect major global hubs, including the U.S., India, South Africa, and Australia, reshaping the company’s data infrastructure strategy.
First reported by subsea cable expert Sunil Tagare in October, the initiative represents what he called the “mother of all submarine cables” due to its scale and ambition.
A Strategic Route to Avoid High-Risk Regions
Meta’s decision to bypass regions such as the Red Sea, South China Sea, and Straits of Malacca highlights the vulnerabilities of global subsea infrastructure. Recent incidents, including suspected Russian sabotage of a Baltic Sea cable and Houthi fighters damaging networks in the Red Sea, illustrate the risks of shared systems.
“The geopolitical risk of some regions is simply too high,” said a source familiar with the project. The planned “W” route avoids “major single points of failure,” according to Tagare, minimizing exposure to regions prone to conflict or natural bottlenecks.
This strategic design underscores Meta’s broader goal of securing uninterrupted data flow for its platforms, which collectively account for a significant share of global internet usage.
Related: Meta Faces US Landmark Trial Over Social Media Monopoly Claims
Technical Hurdles and Industry Constraints
Building a cable of this magnitude is no small feat. Subsea cables, which transmit data via light signals over glass fibers, require specialized ships for installation. These ships are in limited supply, often booked years in advance.
“There’s a real tight supply on cable ships,” said Ranulf Scarborough, a submarine cable industry analyst. “They’re expensive at the minute and booked out several years ahead.” This scarcity could push Meta to construct the cable in phases, with completion potentially spanning a decade.
Meta is expected to reveal more details about the cable’s capacity and exact routing in early 2025, though industry experts suggest the company is already addressing logistical hurdles to maintain momentum.
Related: Meta Hit with €800M EU Fine for Facebook Marketplace Push
Meta’s Shift Toward Ownership
Traditionally, subsea cables have been co-owned by consortia of telecom operators. Meta, however, has participated in joint projects like the 2Africa cable, which encircles the African continent. This new initiative marks Meta’s first fully owned cable, aligning it with Google, which has invested in multiple routes, including some it controls outright.
Exclusive ownership offers Meta several advantages, including priority bandwidth access and reduced dependency on external operators. According to Scarborough, “They make their money from their products being presented to end users, and they will do everything they can to ensure customer experience.”
By controlling its infrastructure, Meta positions itself to meet future demands while safeguarding its services against external risks.
Related: Meta Joins the AI Search Battle Alongside OpenAI, Google, Perplexity
India’s Role as a Strategic Hub
India’s inclusion in the cable’s route reflects its importance to Meta’s global strategy. With over 375 million Facebook users and 536 million WhatsApp users, India represents the company’s largest market. Beyond its consumer base, India’s cost-efficient data center environment makes it an ideal location for AI development.
“India could become the training capital of the world,” Tagare suggested, citing the country’s expanding AI ecosystem. Nvidia’s collaboration with Indian firms to deploy advanced AI chips further reinforces this potential. By connecting India to its global network, Meta not only supports its user base but also aligns with technological trends in AI and cloud computing.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Industry Implications
Meta’s move into private cable ownership coincides with heightened regulatory attention. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced a review of submarine cable licensing, emphasizing concerns over national security and foreign ownership. A privately owned cable operating through politically stable regions positions Meta favorably within this regulatory framework.
At the same time, the project reflects shifting dynamics in global connectivity. “Frankly, who’s going to rely on traditional telcos anymore?” Scarborough observed, highlighting the increasing independence of tech companies in managing their infrastructure.
Meta’s investment signals a broader trend among tech giants prioritizing exclusive infrastructure to meet growing demands for data, AI, and user growth. With platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp driving substantial internet traffic, proprietary networks allow for greater control and scalability.
