Meta is reportedly developing an ambitious subsea cable project aimed at building a 40,000+ kilometer (approximately 24,850 miles) fiber-optic network spanning the globe. Unlike its shared investments in 16 existing cable systems, this new endeavor would be fully owned and controlled by Meta, giving the company exclusive authority to prioritize data traffic for its services.

Aiming for Greater Control and Resilience

This bold initiative is expected to cost around $10 billion and take between 5 to 10 years to complete. Industry expert Sunil Tagare first shared insights on the project in October, describing it as the “mother of all submarine cables” and hinting at its potential scale and significance.

Nicknamed “W” for its expected shape, the planned cable will reportedly link key regions, including the U.S. east and west coasts, India, South Africa, and Australia. The route is designed to bypass areas of geopolitical instability, such as the Red Sea, South China Sea, Straits of Malacca, Singapore, and Egypt—regions where undersea cables have faced frequent disruptions and sabotage. This strategic routing

ensures the network remains more secure and less vulnerable to risks associated with these contentious zones.

Meta’s Vision for Exclusive Ownership

Meta’s move mirrors strategies employed by tech giants like Google, which privately owns several cable networks and has invested in dozens more. By exclusively owning this new system, Meta would gain complete control over bandwidth allocation, allowing it to optimize its platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—for faster and more reliable global access.

This level of autonomy is becoming increasingly important as demand for data services surges and as geopolitical tensions raise concerns about the security of shared infrastructure.

What’s Next for the “W” Cable?

Although the project is still in its early stages, additional details are expected to emerge in 2025, including information about the cable’s capacity, technical specifications, and Meta’s motivations for undertaking this private venture.

The rumored design of the cable reflects Meta’s commitment to building a robust and resilient infrastructure, avoiding reliance on traditional repair mechanisms, which involve a global fleet of specialized ships. If successful, this cable could reshape global data networks, enhancing Meta’s ability to deliver seamless services while sidestepping potential geopolitical bottlenecks.