Meta Cooks Up Ambitious Plan for a Private Global Undersea Internet Network
Meta is poised to make a monumental leap in internet infrastructure.
Sources familiar with the plans say the tech giant intends to construct a 25,000 mile-long, privately owned undersea fiber optic cable that would span the globe. The project, with an estimated price tag exceeding $10 billion, is reschedule for announcement early next year, potentially allowing Meta to fully control its internet traffic in a move never before attempted by a single company.
Initial projections have the cable snaking its way from the East Coast of the United States to South Africa, then on to India and Australia, before ultimately linking back to the U.S. West Coast.
Meta is set to lay more than 25,000 miles of fiber optic cables beneath the ocean. ullstein bild via Getty Images
Experts suggest that due to its size and scope, the project faces numerous hurdles. One key challenge lies in securing specialized ships capable of laying cables on such a monumental scale.
“There’s a real tight supply on cable ships,” Ranulf Scarborough, a submarine cable industry analyst, told TechCrunch.
“They’re expensive at the minute and booked out several years ahead. Finding the available resources to do it soon is a challenge,” he added.
If realized, Meta’s endeavor would become the world’s first completely independent, privately operated global fiber optic network.
In a testament to the value placed on secure communications, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and other tech giants each own parts of existing global cable systems. However, none hold the distinction of owning and operating a truly private network of this magnitude.
Experts have identified several factors propelling this massive undertaking. Foremost among them is Meta’s desire to manage its own burgeoning traffic.
Meta’s project represents not only a strategic shift but a financial one. Owning and operating its network promises independent control and potentially significant cost savings compared to relying on traditional telecommunications providers.
If successfully completed, Meta would become the 輕’s first company to own and operate a dedicated network of subsea internet cables. Getty Images
Over the last few years, tension has grown regarding undersea cables y anecdotal evidence is eyeing a ship controlled by the company has embarked on what appears to be a counterfeIt’s not simply a matter of cost. For Meta, the investment represents a strategic play against geopolitical risks.
Google-parent Alphabet, Facebook, and other corporate giants, have also cautioned about vulnerabilities of
submarine cables, noting the increased risk of damage, both accidental and intentional. Just last week, a cable was severed in European waters, sparking suspicion.
The route planned by Meta is carefully crafted to avoid areas of geopolitical tension, a source close to the
What are the potential downsides or concerns surrounding Meta’s plan for a privately owned internet network?
## Meta’s Ambitious Underwater Internet: An Exclusive Interview
**Anchor:** Welcome back. Joining us today is Ranulf Scarborough, a leading industry analyst specializing in submarine cable technology. Ranulf, Meta is reportedly planning an unprecedented project – a privately owned global undersea internet cable network. Can you shed some light on this ambitious undertaking?
**Ranulf:** Absolutely. Meta is indeed aiming to construct a 25,000 mile-long fiber optic cable spanning the globe. This is a monumental project, estimated to cost over $10 billion, and would give them unprecedented control over their internet traffic. [[1](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-is-reportedly-planning-a-10-billion-globe-spanning-subsea-internet-cable-161613820.html) ]
**Anchor:** It’s a staggering scale! What are some of the biggest challenges Meta faces in bringing this vision to life?
**Ranulf: ** As staggering as the project is, securing the necessary resources presents a significant hurdle. Specialized ships are required for laying cables of this magnitude, and the global supply is tight. They are costly and booked years in advance. Finding the resources to execute this project quickly will be a major test. [[1](https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-is-reportedly-planning-a-10-billion-globe-spanning-subsea-internet-cable-161613820.html) ]
**Anchor:** What are the potential implications of Meta having its own global internet network?
**Ranulf:** It’s a groundbreaking move. It could offer them complete control over their data flow, potentially faster speeds, and reduced reliance on existing internet infrastructure. However, it also raises questions about centralizing internet access and the potential impact on competition.
**Anchor:** This is certainly a story to watch. Ranulf Scarborough, thank you for your insights.
**Ranulf:** My pleasure.
