Meta moves forward with the ambitious Waterworth Project: the longest submarine cable in the world

Last update: 06/03/2025
Author Isaac
  • Project Waterworth is Meta's most ambitious initiative to improve global connectivity with a submarine cable stretching over 50.000 kilometers.
  • It will connect the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key locations using 24 pairs of optical fibers to optimize data transmission.
  • The cable will reach depths of up to 7.000 meters and will feature advanced routing to improve resilience and safety.
  • In addition to enhancing connectivity, it will promote applications of Artificial Intelligence and will strengthen Meta's digital infrastructure.

waterworth project

Meta is moving forward with one of its most ambitious digital infrastructure projects: the Waterworth Project. It is a submarine cable of more than 50.000 kilometers long that will cross several continents with the purpose of improving global connectivity. This project represents a long-term investment with the aim of optimizing digital infrastructure and promoting emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, its development coincides with a context where telecommunications security has gained greater relevance, as seen in recent situations related to damage to telecommunications cables.

Large-scale global connectivity

El Waterworth Project aspires to become the world's longest submarine fiber optic cableIts route will connect strategic points such as United States, India, Brazil and South Africa, as well as other key regions. With this infrastructure, Meta seeks not only to improve connection speed, but also to reduce latency and increase reliability of the data transmission.

To ensure its effectiveness, the cable will be composed of 24 pairs of optical fibers, which will allow for significantly greater capacity compared to traditional systems, which typically have between 8 and 16 fiber pairs.

Installation of submarine cables

Technological advances and cable safety

One of the most notable aspects of the design of the Waterworth Project is its ability to operate at depths of up to 7.000 meters. In addition, techniques have been implemented advanced routing and additional protection methods to minimise risks in areas of high maritime traffic and in areas vulnerable to damage from adverse environmental conditions. The security of these cables is essential, especially after recent incidents that have raised concerns in the international community about the stability of marine connections.

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The use of technologies state-of-the-art optical amplification will allow the signal to be transmitted over greater distances without the need for frequent repeaters. This not only improves the efficiency of the system, but also reduces maintenance costs and extends the life of the cable.

Beyond connectivity, this submarine cable will provide the capacity needed to support activities that rely on high performance data transmission, such as the development and training of artificial intelligence models. The growing demand for storage in the cloud and data processing driven by IA They require robust and efficient infrastructure to ensure optimal operation.

Through this investment, Meta will be able to optimize its digital services, including platforms such as Facebook, Instagram y WhatsApp, as well as its advances in virtual reality and other emerging digital experiences.

Meta submarine cable under construction

One of the key points of the expansion plan of the Waterworth Project es Spain, which has been identified as a key connectivity node. The country will serve as a link between America, Europe and Africa, consolidating itself as a strategic point for expanding the network of submarine cables.

In this context, Meta has already announced plans for a new cable called 'Anjana', which will connect Santander Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. With an extension of 7.121 kilometers and a capacity of up to 500 terabits per second, this cable is just a sample of the ambitious goals Meta in its commitment to digital infrastructure.

With the advance of Waterworth Project, Meta not only positions itself as a key player in global digital infrastructure, but also lays the foundation for the future of large-scale data traffic. The combination of capacity, reach and scalability of this submarine cable promises transform the way information is accessed and transmitted globally.

finland sweden cables telecommunications-0
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