Meta has confirmed Project Waterworth, a 50,000-kilometer subsea cable initiative aimed at transforming global digital infrastructure. This ambitious project will connect five continents via three advanced oceanic corridors, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance connectivity.
With features like a 24 fiber pair system, deep-water routing, and AI-driven solutions, Project Waterworth is set to support AI innovation, bolster digital economies, and foster global connectivity in regions such as the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
Project Waterworth represents Meta's most ambitious subsea cable endeavor to date, spanning over 50,000 kilometers and connecting five major continents12. This multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment aims to strengthen global digital infrastructure by opening three new oceanic corridors with high-speed connectivity2. The project will utilize cutting-edge technology, including:
24 fiber pair submarine cable system, offering unprecedented capacity12
Advanced routing techniques allowing cable placement at depths up to 7,000 meters1
Enhanced burial methods in high-risk coastal areas to protect against damage12
AI-driven infrastructure to support growing demands for artificial intelligence applications and cloud computing34
By connecting key regions such as the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa, Project Waterworth is expected to drive economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open new opportunities for technological development across these areas56.
Project Waterworth's advanced subsea cable specifications set new standards in underwater telecommunications infrastructure. The system employs a 24 fiber pair submarine cable, significantly surpassing the typical 8 to 16 fiber pairs used in other new systems1. This increased fiber count allows for unprecedented data transmission capacity, essential for supporting the growing demands of AI applications and global connectivity.
The cable's design incorporates innovative routing techniques, enabling deployment at depths of up to 7,000 meters (23,000 ft)2. This deep-water routing, combined with enhanced burial techniques in high-risk coastal areas, significantly improves the cable's resilience against potential damage from ship anchors and other maritime hazards1. These advanced specifications not only enhance the cable's durability but also optimize its performance, ensuring reliable and high-speed connectivity across the vast 50,000 km network spanning five continents34.
Project Waterworth's strategic importance extends beyond mere connectivity, aiming to facilitate greater economic cooperation and digital inclusion across continents. By enhancing digital infrastructure in emerging markets like India, the initiative is poised to accelerate technological development and support ambitious plans for digital economies12. The cable system will serve as a crucial backbone for global digital infrastructure, accounting for more than 95% of intercontinental traffic and enabling seamless digital communication, video experiences, and online transactions1. This next-generation subsea infrastructure is specifically designed to support the growing demands of AI innovation, strengthening digital infrastructure capacity and resilience for faster data transmission in AI applications and cloud computing34.
Meta's investment in Project Waterworth represents a significant commitment to global digital infrastructure, with the company planning to spend $60-65 billion on capital expenditures in 2025 alone1. This multi-billion dollar, multi-year initiative aims to strengthen the world's digital highways by opening three new oceanic corridors2. The implementation of the project involves:
Collaborating with partners on over 20 subsea cable projects3
Deploying first-of-its-kind routing to maximize cable laid in deep water2
Utilizing enhanced burial techniques in high-risk areas to prevent damage2
Leveraging AI-driven solutions to optimize processes, integrate systems, and automate operations4
Meta's ambitious project is expected to go live by the end of this decade, with the goal of making AI technologies more accessible worldwide and supporting the digital economies of connected regions32.