In 2025, as we bask in the convenience and supposed simplicity of wireless communications, it is easy to forget the complex physical infrastructure that supports our digital lives. Despite the technological advancements that allow us to communicate wirelessly, a staggering 98% of internet traffic still relies on long, undersea cables that weave across our oceans. Amid this fundamental reality stands an ambitious project by Meta (previously Facebook) known as Project Waterworth, which aims to significantly bolster global internet connectivity through a new undersea cable.
Set to stretch an astonishing 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers), Project Waterworth isn’t just a feat of engineering; it’s a transcontinental initiative that will connect pivotal regions such as the United States, India, South Africa, and Brazil. The sheer scale of this cable slightly overshadows the Earth’s circumference of about 25,000 miles, showcasing the lengths—both literal and metaphorical—which Meta is willing to go to enhance digital infrastructure.
The cable will embark on its underwater journey from the eastern coast of the United States, tracing a geographic route that leads to Brazil before crossing the Atlantic and skirting South Africa. The path continues from the African coast toward Mumbai in India and finally wraps up in Queensland, Australia, before making its way back across the Pacific Ocean to California.
What makes Project Waterworth truly groundbreaking is not just its length but also its advanced engineering techniques. Meta has announced plans for the cable to reach depths of four miles (approximately seven kilometers) beneath the ocean’s surface. This depth minimizes the risk of damage from external threats, such as ship anchors and natural phenomena.
In its commitment to resilience, Meta’s engineering strategy includes utilizing enhanced burial techniques in shallow waters where risks are more pronounced. Such foresight demonstrates a cautious approach to ensuring the cable’s longevity and reliability. In a release, Meta emphasizes that this project will open three new oceanic corridors, thus enhancing global connectivity and driving advances in artificial intelligence (AI) developments across various continents.
While the technical aspects of Project Waterworth are impressive, they should also prompt a deeper evaluation of what enhanced connectivity means for society at large. On one hand, a faster and more reliable internet connection can support a wave of innovations: telemedicine, remote education, AI advancements, and improved communication. However, on the other hand, the pervasive nature of the internet also raises concerns about privacy, misinformation, and the societal impacts of technology.
As Meta forges ahead with this ambitious project, it simultaneously grapples with the implications of its role in modern communication. Recently, the company has pivoted from traditional fact-checking to a more controversial approach involving “community notes” to moderate misinformation on its platforms. Such transitional strategies highlight a dissonance between technological progress and the ethical dimensions of its social media empire, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between connectivity and responsible information sharing.
Meta’s Project Waterworth serves as a powerful reminder that while technology continues to evolve, the underlying infrastructure will always be essential. This forthcoming cable represents a leap towards sustainable and robust global communications, enabling new developments in various sectors. Yet, as we celebrate these advancements, we must also engage in critical discussions surrounding the responsibilities borne by influential tech giants. As they illuminate new paths for connectivity, they must not overlook the societal impacts of their innovations. Ultimately, the success of such endeavors should be measured not just in terms of infrastructure, but also in fostering a healthy digital environment where information thrives responsibly.