Meta Launches Waterworth, World’s Longest Subsea Cable to Boost Global AI Connectivity

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New Delhi: Meta has launched Project Waterworth, a new subsea cable system designed to strengthen global digital infrastructure and support AI applications. Spanning more than 50,000 km, the cable network will link the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions, making it the longest and highest-capacity subsea cable system in the world once completed.

The project aims to enhance intercontinental data flow, which is critical for AI-driven services and broader digital connectivity. Subsea cables carry over 95% of international data traffic, making systems like Waterworth central to the digital economy. In India, the initiative is expected to support the country’s ongoing digital transformation and increase its integration into global AI and data networks.

Waterworth introduces three new oceanic corridors and uses 24-fiber-pair systems, aligning with current industry standards for high-capacity connectivity. The design includes advanced routing and burial techniques to ensure durability at ocean depths reaching 7,000 meters. Meta has leveraged insights from more than 20 previous subsea cable projects to optimize the system’s performance and resilience.

The cable is positioned to facilitate faster and more reliable digital communication between continents, a key requirement for AI applications such as cloud computing, real-time analytics, and large-scale data processing. The project also reflects broader trends in global digital infrastructure investment, where major tech companies are increasingly funding transnational connectivity projects to meet rising demand for data and AI capabilities.

While the rollout of Waterworth will take several years, the project is expected to have a lasting impact on global connectivity, providing foundational infrastructure that supports AI adoption, international data exchange, and economic collaboration across participating countries. The initiative highlights the strategic importance of subsea cables in supporting emerging digital technologies and global data flows.

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