Meta announces plans to link US, India, others with world’s longest undersea cable project

Meta has unveiled plans for the world’s longest undersea cable project, a 50,000km subsea network named Project Waterworth, aimed at enhancing connectivity between the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions.

The company, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, said the cable system would surpass the Earth’s circumference and use a 24 fibre-pair system, significantly increasing its data capacity. 

Meta stated that the project would play a crucial role in supporting its artificial intelligence initiatives.

In a blog post, Meta said, “Project Waterworth will bring industry-leading connectivity to the US, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. This project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions.”

The company added that the cable would bolster digital infrastructure in India, where it has already seen major growth and investment. 

“For example, in India, where we’ve already seen significant growth and investment in digital infrastructure, Waterworth will help accelerate this progress and support the country’s ambitious plans for its digital economy,” Meta stated.

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The announcement comes as undersea cables remain a critical yet vulnerable component of global internet connectivity. Over 95% of the world’s internet traffic relies on these cables, raising concerns about their susceptibility to damage, geopolitical threats, and cyberattacks.

Nato ramped up surveillance in the Baltic Sea earlier this year after damage to vital undersea cables in 2023, while a UK parliamentary committee is currently examining the country’s ability to safeguard its undersea network. 

Meta said Project Waterworth would be buried up to 7,000 metres deep and reinforced in high-risk zones. 

“We’ve driven infrastructure innovation with various partners over the past decade, developing more than 20 subsea cables,” the company stated, adding that it would “use enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards.”