Project Waterworth: construction of a titanic undersea cable
Meta will invest $10 billion to deploy an undersea cable. The submarine cable will stretch over 50,000 km. It will ensure improved digital connectivity across 5 continents and support the company’s artificial intelligence projects.
The driving forces behind the project
The Waterworth project will meet 3 objectives: ensuring greater economic cooperation, fostering digital inclusion and offering technological development opportunities. It should be noted that cooperation and inclusion will be on a fee-for-service basis. These submarine cables will also enable access to a wide range of digital services such as communications, video streaming and online transactions. This project will strengthen digital highways by opening up three new ocean corridors equipped with high-speed, high-capacity connectivity, essential for the growth of artificial intelligence technologies worldwide.
Today, these submarine cables form the backbone of the world’s digital infrastructure, since over 95% of intercontinental Internet traffic transits through them.
Specific features of these submarine cables
This is not Meta’s first venture into submarine cable deployment. The company has accumulated know-how in the field, having previously contributed to the development of over 20 submarine cables with partners. The 2 Africa project is the flagship example that has enabled faster Internet access in Africa and the Middle East.
Meta’s submarine cables are made up of 24 pairs of optical fibers, superior to similar projects that revolve around 8 to 16 pairs of optical fibers.
The cables will be laid in deep waters of up to 7,000 meters, using improved burial techniques. Installing them at depth will avoid damage caused by ship anchors. It will also protect the cables from sabotage or cutting.
Meta insists on Waterworth’s global impact: beyond simply connecting continents, this project aims to democratize access to emerging technologies and make the Internet more accessible.
In short, Meta’s Waterworth project goes far beyond the simple deployment of a submarine cable. It embodies an ambitious vision of tomorrow’s Internet, where all geographical territories benefit from unprecedented connectivity. As its deployment progresses, it will be fascinating to observe its impact on the way we communicate, collaborate and innovate on a global scale. One thing is certain: with Waterworth, Meta isn’t just connecting continents, it’s shaping the future of the digital landscape.
Sources:
https://engineering.fb.com/2025/02/14/connectivity/project-waterworth-ai-subsea-infrastructure/
https://www.sitegeek.fr/actu-high-tech/projet-waterworth-cable-sous-marin/
https://www.zdnet.fr/actualites/meta-deploie-le-plus-long-cable-sous-marin-au-monde-406530.htm
