Business
Meta Unveils Project Waterworth, The World’s Longest Subsea Cable Initiative
Meta has announced Project Waterworth, an ambitious submarine cable project that will span over 50,000 kilometers and connect five continents. This initiative, described as a “multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment,” is designed to significantly enhance global digital connectivity, providing high-speed, low-latency internet infrastructure to key regions, including the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
The Strategic Rationale Behind Project Waterworth
The demand for faster, more resilient global internet connectivity is accelerating, driven by AI, cloud computing, and the rise of digital services. Meta’s investment in Project Waterworth is a strategic move to secure its own infrastructure, reducing dependency on traditional telecom providers.
Gaya Nagarajan and Alex-Handrah Aimé, Meta network executives, stated in a blog post:
“With Project Waterworth, we continue to advance engineering design to maintain cable resilience, enabling us to build the longest 24 fiber pair cable project in the world and enhance overall speed of deployment. We are also deploying first-of-its-kind routing, maximizing the cable laid in deep water—at depths up to 7,000 meters—and using enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas.”
A map of Project Waterworth (Source: Meta)
Meta’s decision to own and operate its own undersea network follows a trend among major hyperscalers such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, which have been investing heavily in subsea cable systems. By controlling the physical infrastructure, Meta can secure bandwidth, optimize performance, and reduce reliance on third-party providers.
A Catalyst for Digital Transformation
The significance of Project Waterworth extends beyond Meta’s business objectives. The project aligns with global efforts to enhance internet connectivity, particularly in developing regions where broadband access remains limited. High-capacity subsea cables can reduce costs for internet service providers, improve latency, and enhance digital inclusion.
This initiative is also part of a larger geopolitical play, with the US and Indian governments welcoming the investment. A joint statement from the White House detailed the launch of the Indian Ocean Strategic Venture, which aims to foster coordinated investments in undersea cables, maintenance, and cybersecurity measures.
“India intends to invest in maintenance, repair, and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean, using trusted vendors,” the joint statement noted.
AI and the Future of Digital Infrastructure
One of the primary drivers behind Meta’s investment in subsea infrastructure is the exponential growth of AI-powered applications. Large language models, generative AI, and cloud-based services require enormous bandwidth and ultra-reliable connectivity.
Nagarajan and Aimé emphasized this point:
“As AI continues to transform industries and societies around the world, it’s clear that capacity, resilience, and global reach are more important than ever to support leading infrastructure.”
Market analysts have also noted the growing role of hyperscalers in shaping the subsea cable industry. A November 2024 report from Analysys Mason projected significant expansion in the market, with submarine fiber-optic telecom investment growing from $7.96 billion in 2023 to $9.8 billion in 2029.
The Competitive Landscape: Meta’s Playbook
With nearly 95% of global data traffic moving through undersea cables, the digital economy relies on robust submarine networks. Historically, telecom giants controlled this infrastructure, leasing bandwidth to major tech firms. However, with AI, video streaming, and cloud services consuming an unprecedented amount of data, technology companies are increasingly investing in their own subsea networks.
Meta’s decision to build and control its own undersea network is a clear indication of its long-term strategy:
- Owning the infrastructure: By controlling its digital highways, Meta reduces costs and secures its data transmission needs.
- Expanding internet reach: Faster connectivity enhances user experience on Meta-owned platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
- Enhancing AI capabilities: AI applications demand high-speed, low-latency connections, which this cable system can provide.
- Maintaining competitive edge: Competing hyperscalers, such as Google and Amazon, are also aggressively investing in subsea cables, making it imperative for Meta to match and exceed these efforts.
The Impact of Project Waterworth
While Meta has not disclosed the exact cost of the project, reports suggest it could be valued at $10 billion. The company’s previous involvement in over 20 subsea cable projects provides a strong foundation for this latest endeavor.
The successful completion of Project Waterworth will not only reshape Meta’s digital strategy but also reinforce the critical role of private investment in global internet infrastructure. As AI and cloud computing continue to evolve, subsea cables like Waterworth will be essential in powering the next generation of digital experiences.
