December 3rd 2024.
Google's latest project has caused quite a buzz in the tech world. According to recent reports, the company's parent company, Facebook, is planning to lay a staggering 40,000km of fiber optic cables under the ocean in 2021. This massive endeavor is estimated to cost billions of pounds, but for a company like Facebook, it's just another drop in the bucket.
But what exactly is the purpose of this ambitious project? Well, it seems that Facebook's parent company, now known as Meta, wants to ensure that they have enough capacity to handle the ever-increasing amount of data needed for their popular social media platforms and AI investments. In fact, sources close to Meta have confirmed that they will be the sole owner and user of this underwater cable, a first for the company.
Entrepreneur and tech expert Sunil Tagare was the first to report on this groundbreaking project, calling it a "hell of a cable" that will shock the world. He also revealed that the budget for this project could range from $2 billion to a whopping $10 billion. While Meta is no stranger to large-scale internet cable projects, such as the 2Africa cable, which aims to connect Africa and Europe, this will be the first one that they will own and operate entirely on their own.
Although the plans are still in their early stages, with physical components yet to be ordered, Meta is expected to announce the existence and route of the cable in 2025. And it's not hard to see why this project is necessary for the company. As the second biggest driver of internet traffic in the world, mainly through their platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta serves over a billion users globally.
This new cable, codenamed "W" because of its circuitous route from the US East Coast to South Africa, India, and back to the West Coast of the US via Australia, is expected to primarily serve India. According to Sunil, this is because India is Meta's largest user base outside of the US. And with the increasing importance of India in the tech world, this cable could prove to be a game-changer for Meta.
But it's not just about serving a large user base. Meta also needs to protect their business from potential disruptions and attacks. That's why the cable will avoid areas with potential geopolitical risks, such as the Red Sea, the South China Sea, and Egypt. Sunil predicts that the first equipment on this cable will be lit in 2029 or 2030.
While this may seem like an unprecedented move, Meta is not the first tech company to invest in undersea cables to safeguard their business. In fact, underwater cables are the backbone of the internet, responsible for carrying a staggering 99% of the world's data traffic. Major players like Microsoft and Amazon have also heavily invested in this infrastructure, proving that "the cloud" is not just up in the sky, but also under the sea.
In the UK, Google's Grace Hopper cable, which went online in 2022, is already connecting New York with Bude in Cornwall, spanning over 6,000km. This cable has the capacity to handle a mind-boggling 17.5 million people streaming 4K video simultaneously. And Google has several other massive cables in their portfolio, as they have moved towards owning and operating them entirely, giving them more control over their infrastructure. Will we see yet another Google cable connecting the same route that Meta is planning? Only time will tell.
As of now, Meta has not yet commented on these reports, but one thing is for sure, this project will definitely be one to watch out for. With its potential to revolutionize the tech world and ensure a seamless connection for users around the globe, the Grace Hopper cable is a testament to the power of innovation and investment in the digital age. We can't wait to see what the future holds for Meta and their ambitious underwater cable project.
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