Meta Unveils Project Waterworth, the World’s Longest Subsea Cable
Meta Platforms Inc. plans to build Project Waterworth, a subsea cable system spanning more than 50,000 km of fiber to connect five continents. The company describes this as the world’s longest subsea cable initiative, designed to transform global digital infrastructure.
As the parent of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta already drives a large share of global internet traffic, with its services responsible for an estimated 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile usage worldwide. Project Waterworth signals Meta’s continued push beyond social media into large‑scale connectivity and infrastructure investment.
A Multibillion-Dollar Investment Linking Key Global Markets
Project Waterworth will connect major regions, including the United States, India, Brazil, and South Africa, along with other strategic landing points. Meta describes the initiative as a “multibillion‑dollar, multi‑year investment” focused on strengthening global connectivity and enabling future technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and other data‑intensive applications.
The system will use 24 fiber‑pair technology, which Meta says will provide industry‑leading capacity and resilience for cloud, AI, and high‑bandwidth services. The sheer scale of the route means the project will likely require multiple subsea cable suppliers, and supplier selection may not occur for some time, given the planning horizon.
Meta’s Growing Role in Global Subsea Infrastructure
Meta already holds part ownership in 16 subsea cable networks and has previously worked with major suppliers such as Alcatel Submarine Networks and SubCom, LLC on earlier systems. Project Waterworth, however, stands out because Meta intends to fully own and operate the new cable rather than share it through a consortium.
In contrast, Google and Microsoft have participated in dozens of subsea cable projects, typically as members of consortia and often on somewhat smaller systems. Meta’s decision to take full ownership of a system of this size has drawn considerable attention within the telecom and infrastructure communities. A preliminary timeline suggests the cable could be ready around 2030, an aggressive target given that smaller projects often encounter multi‑year delays.
Challenges: Vessels, Regulation, and Environment
Despite the ambition, Project Waterworth faces several critical challenges. There is a global shortage of specialized cable‑laying vessels, which may constrain installation schedules and drive up project costs.
In addition, Meta must navigate complex environmental reviews and regulatory approvals across multiple coastal states and international jurisdictions. Each landing country has its own rules on seabed use, data infrastructure, and environmental protection, which can slow progress and add uncertainty.
Advancing Digital Inclusion and AI-Driven Growth
Meta argues that Project Waterworth will deliver broad economic and social benefits. The company says the cable will enhance economic collaboration, promote digital inclusion, and create new pathways for technological advancement in the connected regions.
By dramatically increasing subsea capacity between major markets, Project Waterworth aims to lower latency, improve network resiliency, and support the next generation of AI‑driven services, cloud platforms, and digital businesses. Meta positions the project as a cornerstone investment in the future of global connectivity.
