Waterworth is an ambitious submarine cable project by Meta, spanning over 50,000 kilometers to connect five continents and enhance global digital infrastructure. It will establish new ocean corridors to improve connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, and South Africa, leveraging advanced fiber optics technology. Meta’s investment could reach $10 billion, focusing on deep-water burial techniques to mitigate risks. The initiative also addresses geopolitical concerns, especially in the Indian Ocean region, while aiming to bridge the digital divide in the Global South.
Introducing Waterworth: A Groundbreaking Submarine Cable Project
Waterworth is set to revolutionize global connectivity with its record-breaking submarine cable initiative. Once fully operational, this remarkable project will span over 50,000 kilometers—surpassing the Earth’s circumference by 10,000 kilometers—and link five continents. Meta, the parent company of popular platforms like Facebook and Instagram, has unveiled this ambitious venture as its most extensive submarine cable project to date.
Enhancing Global Connectivity
The Waterworth project aims to establish three new ocean corridors, significantly boosting connectivity to the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa. This initiative will fortify the digital infrastructure essential for international communication, as over 95% of intercontinental data traffic relies on submarine cables. With the growing demand for digital connectivity, Waterworth is designed to make advanced technologies such as AI accessible to a broader audience, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere.
To support this monumental effort, Meta is considering a multi-year investment that could reach several billion dollars, with estimates suggesting around $10 billion. With a proven track record of deploying more than 20 submarine cables in the last decade, Meta is applying its expertise to create a cutting-edge network featuring 24 pairs of fiber optics, which outperforms the 8 to 16 pairs commonly found in similar projects.
Deep Water Burial and Geopolitical Implications
Meta is committed to ensuring “unmatched connectivity” by prioritizing the installation of deep-water cables, reaching depths of up to 7,000 meters, using advanced burial techniques to minimize damage from potential hazards like ship anchors. The company also acknowledges other risks, including geopolitical tensions, as submarine cables are vulnerable to sabotage or intentional disruptions by state actors. Recent incidents, such as a cable break in the Baltic Sea, have drawn suspicion towards countries like Russia and China.
In collaboration with telecom giants such as Orange, Vodafone, Telecom Egypt, and China Mobile, Meta has previously worked on submarine cable deployments. However, the decision to independently fund the Waterworth project positions it as a potential geopolitical asset for Mark Zuckerberg’s company, particularly as it aims to enhance connectivity in India, the world’s most populous nation. This strategic investment has garnered attention, with leaders like Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi acknowledging its significance for increasing connectivity in the Indian Ocean.
Furthermore, India has expressed its intention to invest in the maintenance and financing of submarine cables in the region, emphasizing a focus on trusted suppliers.
Prior to its efforts in India, Meta partnered with Orange on the 2Africa project, which was previously the largest submarine cable initiative, stretching 45,000 kilometers. This project aims to connect Africa with Europe and Asia, ultimately providing internet access to 3 billion people. Beyond its noble objective of bridging the digital divide in the Global South, Meta is also motivated by substantial business interests, as these cables facilitate the secure routing of data across its platforms.