Meta Platforms Inc., the parent organisation of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is making significant strides to enhance its infrastructure capabilities by investing in a substantial fibre-optic subsea cable project. This initiative is poised to further amplify Meta’s already considerable influence on global internet usage, which accounts for approximately 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile traffic worldwide.
The new subsea cable, encompassing a remarkable length of over 40,000 kilometres, is projected to require an investment exceeding $10 billion. TechCrunch has confirmed through sources linked to the company that Meta intends to be the sole owner and user of this significant infrastructure development, marking a pivotal moment for its operational capabilities. Initially, the budget for the project is set at $2 billion, although this figure is anticipated to escalate as the project progresses and expands.
According to Sunil Tagare, a pioneer in the subsea cable sector and the first to report on Meta’s plan back in October, details regarding the intended route, capacity, and rationale for constructing the cable are expected to emerge more clearly by early 2025. The anticipated cable layout is said to connect the east coast of the United States to India via South Africa, and then back to the west coast of the U.S. via Australia, forming a distinctive "W" shape around the globe.
The infrastructure project is being overseen by Santosh Janardhan, who leads global infrastructure efforts at Meta. Sources indicate that the project is being developed from Meta's South Africa operations as part of a broader strategy to enhance their communications infrastructure.
The fibre-optic subsea cable, which has been integral to global communications for the past four decades, is now being driven by a shift in investment strategies. Previously dominated by telecom carriers through consortium frameworks, the ownership of such networks is increasingly being pursued by major technology firms, with Meta joining the ranks of Google, Amazon, and Microsoft in seeking direct control over subsea resources.
Meta’s historical involvement in subsea projects is notable, as it co-owns 16 existing networks, including the recent 2Africa cable, which encircles the African continent in collaboration with numerous telecom partners. However, this upcoming initiative would represent Meta's first wholly-owned subsea cable, providing it with unparalleled control over data traffic capacity and routing.
The decision to invest in dedicated subsea cabling aligns with Meta's goal of ensuring quality service across its platforms, particularly in regions where it generates substantial revenue, notably outside North America. Control over such infrastructure facilitates improved data handling and service delivery, crucial for the company as it capitalises on the extensive user engagement across its platforms. Furthermore, controlling the cable route allows Meta to mitigate dependence on traditional telecom operators and their often unpredictable infrastructure reliability.
Beyond operational considerations, there is also a geopolitical context influencing this development. Recent conflicts have exposed vulnerabilities in the subsea cable networks as cables have been damaged or sabotaged amid military tensions. The new subsea cable route is strategically designed to navigate away from regions prone to conflict, potentially safeguarding against susceptibility to geopolitical disruptions.
Another dimension to Meta's subsea cable project may involve the establishment of data centres in India, which could scale up the company’s capabilities in training AI models. Tagare speculated that the infrastructure could serve to bolster Meta’s AI initiatives, particularly given India’s lower bandwidth costs compared to the United States. The country presents a vast opportunity for growth, as it is Meta's largest market, boasting over 375 million Facebook users, 363 million Instagram users, and 536 million WhatsApp users, all of whom show increasing interest in newer AI features.
While it is too early to ascertain whether artificial intelligence is a definitive focus for Meta’s cable project, discussions surrounding the potential applications of the infrastructure continue to evolve. As sources affirm, the complexities of the project's future remain in consideration, balanced against the growing demand for company-controlled, efficient data transport and processing solutions. Meta has not released any formal statements regarding the project at this time.
Source: Noah Wire Services