Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has officially announced Project Waterworth, a massive subsea cable project aimed at connecting five continents and giving the tech giant more control over its services. The project, which was first reported in November, will span over 50,000 kilometers, making it the world's longest subsea cable project.

Project Waterworth will have landing points in the United States, Brazil, India, South Africa, and other key regions, providing a significant boost to Meta's global connectivity. The company has highlighted the opportunities in India, particularly in rolling out AI services globally, as a key reason for building the network. The subsea cable will enable a range of applications, including digital communication, video experiences, and online transactions.

The network's architecture will be a first of its kind, featuring 24 fiber pair cables and a unique routing system that maximizes the cable laid in deep water, with depths reaching up to 7,000 meters. Additionally, Meta will employ new burial techniques to reduce faults in high-risk areas, whether due to geographical or political factors.

The project's announcement comes amidst a significant shift in the global tech landscape, with geopolitics playing a crucial role in the development of subsea infrastructure. The White House recently published a joint statement from US President Trump and India's Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, which included a commitment to co-developing undersea technologies and a note on Meta's Project Waterworth.

India has pledged to invest in the maintenance, repair, and financing of undersea cables in the Indian Ocean, using trusted vendors. This move is seen as a strategic partnership between the two countries, with significant implications for the global tech industry.

Project Waterworth is not Meta's first foray into subsea cables. According to telecom analysts Telegeography, Meta is part owner of 16 existing networks, including the 2Africa cable that encircles the African continent. However, this new project will be the first wholly owned by Meta itself, putting it in the same category as Google, which has involvement in some 33 different routes.

Other Big Tech companies, such as Amazon and Microsoft, are also part owners or capacity buyers in subsea cables, highlighting the growing importance of subsea infrastructure in the global tech landscape. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, projects like Project Waterworth will play a critical role in shaping the future of global connectivity and AI innovation.

In conclusion, Meta's Project Waterworth marks a significant milestone in the company's efforts to enhance its services and AI capabilities globally. As the project unfolds, it will be interesting to see how it impacts the global tech industry and the future of subsea infrastructure development.