The USA Leaders
18 February 2025
Manila – Meta Platforms Inc. has set its sights on redefining global connectivity with its latest initiative, the Meta Internet Cable Plan. Codenamed “Project Waterworth,” this ambitious undertaking will span 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) under the sea, connecting key regions including the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia.
With an estimated cost exceeding $10 billion, this project promises to be a game-changer, not just for Meta, but for the future of AI and digital economies worldwide.
Breaking Down Meta Internet Cable Plan
- Scale: 50,000 km, linking the U.S., Brazil, South Africa, India, and Australia in a massive digital corridor.
- Technology: A 24-fiber pair system, providing a quantum leap over traditional cables limited to 8-16 fiber pairs.
- Cost: An estimated $10 billion, making it one of Meta’s most expensive infrastructure bets to date.
- Strategic Objective: Strengthening Meta’s AI-driven ecosystem by ensuring fast, reliable data transmission across critical global markets.
Why This Matters: AI, Connectivity, and Control
Meta’s infrastructure investment is about more than just connectivity. The company’s increasing reliance on AI to power its platforms demands high-speed, high-capacity data movement.
By owning and controlling an undersea cable of this scale, Meta reduces its dependency on third-party telecom operators and builds the backbone for its expanding AI models, data centers, and cloud-based services.
The move aligns with a broader industry trend. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft have also been investing in private undersea networks, recognizing that control over data transmission is an untapped competitive advantage.
The Geopolitical Edge
Project Waterworth is also a strategic player in an era of increasing cyber and infrastructure threats. Meta is intentionally designing routes that bypass politically sensitive regions, mitigating risks from state actors and accidental disruptions.
Undersea cables are vulnerable to sabotage and interference, as evidenced by recent disruptions linked to Russia and China. By investing in deep-sea cable burial and security measures, Meta is ensuring that its digital highway remains resilient.
Furthermore, the project enhances digital diplomacy. By providing next-generation connectivity to regions like India and South Africa, Meta strengthens its influence in emerging markets where digital inclusion is still a work in progress.
Economic Payoff: Who Stands to Gain?
The Meta Internet Cable Plan is poised to boost the GDP of connected nations significantly. For instance:
- Faster Internet, More Innovation: Greater bandwidth and reduced latency will accelerate digital transformation, unlocking opportunities for startups, fintech firms, and AI-driven enterprises.
- Job Creation: By 2025, Meta’s undersea cables are projected to support 3.7 million new jobs across key markets. Infrastructure investments of this scale spur employment in technology, telecommunications, and support services.
- GDP Growth: In the Asia-Pacific region alone, Meta’s connectivity investments could contribute $422 billion in GDP gains by 2025. Markets like Indonesia and the Philippines stand to see tens of billions in economic uplift.
- Digital Services Boom: From e-commerce to cloud computing, enhanced internet infrastructure fuels economic activity. Businesses gain a competitive edge with improved digital capabilities, driving cross-border trade and technological innovation.
A Clash of Titans: Meta vs. Google in the Undersea Race
Meta’s move echoes Google’s aggressive push into subsea cables, where it has built a private network of transcontinental connections. But while Google has focused on linking North America to Europe and Asia, Meta’s grand strategy is more diversified, spanning emerging markets with enormous digital potential.
The shift away from telecom consortium-led cable projects to fully tech-owned infrastructure signifies a changing power dynamic. Data traffic is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few major players, with direct implications for competition, regulation, and digital sovereignty.
The Road Ahead for Meta Internet Cable Plan
Meta has yet to disclose a definitive timeline for Project Waterworth, but large-scale undersea cable projects typically take years to complete due to logistical and environmental challenges. A limited number of cable-laying ships and complex international negotiations further complicate the rollout.
However, the payoff—both strategically and economically—is undeniable. Meta’s undersea gamble could reshape the internet’s very foundation, providing the infrastructure needed for the next generation of AI-powered services and digital connectivity.
As Meta tightens its grip on global data flows, the real question becomes: how will regulators and competitors respond? The world is watching.
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