Meta has unveiled plans to construct a 50,000km (31,000-mile) undersea cable network spanning the globe.

Dubbed Project Waterworth, the initiative will link the US, India, South Africa, Brazil, and other regions, making it the longest underwater cable project ever undertaken. The tech giant, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is expanding its reach beyond social media into artificial intelligence (AI) and critical infrastructure.

Meta stated that the new cable system will provide "industry-leading connectivity" across five continents, supporting its AI initiatives and advancing global digital inclusion. "This project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and create opportunities for technological advancement in these regions," Meta wrote in a blog post.

The cable will be the longest to feature a 24-fibre-pair system, significantly boosting its data capacity, the company said.

Undersea cables play a vital role in global internet infrastructure, enabling high-speed data transfers essential for digital services. More than 95% of the world's internet traffic is transmitted through these cables, according to widely cited industry estimates.

TeleGeography, a telecommunications market research firm, reports that over 600 publicly known undersea cable systems currently exist worldwide. Among them is the 2Africa cable, supported by Meta alongside mobile network operators like Orange, Vodafone, and China Mobile. This 45,000km cable connects three continents.

Tech's Expanding Role

Major tech firms have increasingly invested in subsea cable infrastructure, becoming key players in global connectivity. Google, for instance, announced in 2024 its plans to construct the first subsea cable linking Africa and Australia, along with a $1 billion investment to enhance connectivity in Japan via two Pacific Ocean cables.

"Over the past decade, we have seen a shift where large technology companies are leading the construction of undersea cables," said Professor Vili Lehdonvirta of the Oxford Internet Institute. Previously, such projects were primarily undertaken by national telecom groups due to their high costs. This shift highlights the growing financial and infrastructural dominance of big tech firms, raising policy concerns about market concentration.

Industry analyst Paolo Pescatore noted that Meta’s initiative underscores its ambitions in connectivity. "Meta is keen on owning a greater share of the connectivity landscape," he told the BBC. "This project further solidifies its strategy of integrating hardware, software, and platforms to create a seamless user experience."

Mitigating Risks and Threats

The increasing reliance on undersea cables has also heightened concerns about their security. Experts warn that these infrastructures are vulnerable to attacks and accidental damage, making them a focal point in geopolitical conflicts. Following multiple incidents involving damaged cables, NATO launched a mission in January to monitor ship movements in the Baltic Sea.

In the UK, a parliamentary committee recently called for evidence regarding the country’s resilience against potential cable disruptions, citing concerns over "Russian and Chinese capabilities to threaten undersea infrastructure, particularly in times of tension or conflict."

Meta stated that Project Waterworth’s cables would be laid at depths of up to 7,000 meters, employing enhanced burial techniques in high-risk areas near coastlines to prevent damage from ship anchors and other hazards.

Professor Lehdonvirta noted that the project strategically avoids geopolitical hotspots such as the Suez Canal and South China Sea. By directly linking the US with key markets in the Global South, he suggested that the initiative could also be viewed as "reinforcing US economic and infrastructural influence abroad."

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