Meta plans $10 billion subsea cable to control global data traffic: Report

Unlike previous projects where Meta partnered with telecom giants like Orange, Vodafone, and MTN, this new initiative will be fully owned by the company.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is preparing to take a major leap in infrastructure development by planning its first fully owned global subsea cable, according to a report by TechCrunch. This ambitious project, spanning over 40,000 kilometers, is expected to cost upwards of $10 billion and aims to further support Meta’s expanding global data traffic.

As the second-largest driver of internet usage globally, Meta’s platforms account for 10 percent of all fixed and 22 percent of mobile internet traffic, the report added. With growing investments in artificial intelligence expected to further boost usage, the tech giant appears focused on ensuring it has the infrastructure to support its operations, TechCrunch noted.

Sources close to Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that the subsea cable project is still in its early stages. While plans have been laid out, physical construction has not yet started, and budgets remain undisclosed. The project is expected to be formally announced in early 2025, with details on the cable's route, capacity, and rationale.

The planned route of the cable is said to span from the U.S. east coast to India via South Africa and then loop back to the U.S. west coast via Australia, creating a “W” shape around the globe. When completed, the cable will provide Meta with a dedicated data traffic route, marking a milestone in its infrastructure strategy.

Sunil Tagare, a subsea cable expert and pioneer in the field, told TechCrunch that Meta plans to start with a $2 billion budget, which could exceed $10 billion as the project progresses over several years. He described the endeavour as a significant shift in subsea cable ownership trends, which were previously dominated by telecom consortia.

Submarine cable industry analyst Ranulf Scarborough highlighted challenges Meta might face, including limited resources and availability of cable-laying ships. “There’s a real tight supply on cable ships. They’re expensive at the minute and booked out several years ahead,” he told TechCrunch. A likely scenario could involve building the cable in segments to manage resources effectively.

This cable would represent a major shift for Meta, which has so far been part-owner of 16 subsea networks, including the 2Africa cable project, which encircles the African continent. Unlike previous projects where Meta partnered with telecom giants like Orange, Vodafone, and MTN, this new initiative will be fully owned by the company.

According to TechCrunch, the project is being spearheaded by Meta’s South Africa operation and falls under the purview of Santosh Janardhan, Meta’s head of global infrastructure and co-head of engineering. Moneycontrol could not independently verify the report.