Meta has announced Project Waterworth, a groundbreaking undersea cable initiative spanning over 50,000 kilometers, set to be operational by 2039. Touted as the “world’s longest subsea cable project,” it will connect India, the U.S., Brazil, South Africa, and other regions, enhancing global internet connectivity with cutting-edge technology. India will play a crucial role in maintaining the cables, ensuring their longevity. This multi-billion-dollar project aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, boost AI innovation, and address the growing demand for digital services worldwide.
Meta, the tech giant behind some of the world’s most popular social media platforms, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at strengthening global digital infrastructure. Recognizing India as a critical market, the company has announced Project Waterworth, an undersea cable project that promises to connect India to the world’s longest subsea cable network.
Set to become operational by 2039, Project Waterworth will span over 50,000 kilometers, surpassing the Earth’s circumference. Meta describes it as the “world’s longest subsea cable project using the highest-capacity technology available.” This ambitious initiative is part of the US-India Joint Leaders’ Statement, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States on February 13.
India will play a pivotal role in this transformative project. The cable will link the country to the U.S. and other global regions, delivering improved capacity, cutting-edge technology, and greater resilience to digital infrastructure. Undersea cables, such as this, are crucial for enhancing global internet connectivity, enabling telecom providers to deliver faster and more reliable internet services.
Once completed, Project Waterworth will bring top-tier connectivity not only to India and the U.S. but also to Brazil, South Africa, and other significant regions worldwide. Meta’s move comes at a time when India is experiencing a surge in demand for digital services, making the project a timely and essential step toward addressing connectivity challenges in the region.
As part of the initiative, India will contribute to maintaining and repairing the undersea cables within the Indian Ocean. This will be done using trusted vendors to ensure the cables remain in optimal condition for years to come. Meta has emphasized the use of advanced technology in the project, including deep-water routing techniques that reach depths of up to 7,000 meters and specialized burial methods in coastal waters. These measures are designed to safeguard the cables from potential damage caused by ship anchors and other underwater hazards.
Meta elaborated on the significance of the project in a blog post, stating, “Subsea cables projects, such as Project Waterworth, are the backbone of global digital infrastructure, accounting for more than 95% of intercontinental traffic across the world’s oceans to seamlessly enable digital communication, video experiences, online transactions, and more. Project Waterworth will be a multi-billion dollar, multi-year investment to strengthen the scale and reliability of the world’s digital highways by opening three new oceanic corridors with the abundant, high-speed connectivity needed to drive AI innovation around the world.”
By bridging continents with state-of-the-art connectivity, Project Waterworth is poised to revolutionize global digital communication and solidify India’s role as a key player in the world’s digital future.
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