The global network of underwater pipes that keep the internet running is getting a major addition.
Driving the news: Meta announced it will build what would be the world’s longest underwater internet cable, an infrastructure project that will connect the U.S., India, South Africa, and Brazil with a cable longer than the Earth’s circumference.
- The company says the project, which is expected to cost more than US$10 billion, will stabilize the world's internet highways and help support Meta’s future AI efforts.
Catch-up: Underwater cables have been getting damaged more frequently as of late, especially in conflict-prone areas like the Red Sea and the Baltic Sea. In Northern countries, including Canada, floating chunks of ice have also become a threat to internet cables.
- Meta says that its new network will deliberately avoid risky areas and will be installed deeper underwater to avoid any other potential threats, like ship anchors.
Why it’s happening: Meta alone accounts for 22% of all mobile web traffic in the world. By owning the infrastructure that keeps its users scrolling Instagram and chatting on WhatsApp, Meta will be able to prioritize its own services and insulate itself from potential outages.
Why it matters: With over 95% of the world’s internet traffic running through these submarine cables, their reliability has become critical to making sure everything from our digital wallets to our governments can function properly.—LA