Project Waterworth: The Importance of the Submarine Cable Project
With the rapid development of technology, quality of internet connection and its continuity has gained great importance worldwide. In this context, the Meta initiated Project Waterworth The project, named, stands out as a major step taken in strengthening the submarine cable infrastructure. The project aims to build the world's longest submarine cable when completed, covering the USA, India, South Africa, Brazil and many other regions.
Objectives and Scope of the Project
Meta, with this project industry leading connectivity aims to provide and support artificial intelligence projects. According to the company's statements, this cable project will create a communication network spanning five continents and increase digital inclusiveness economic cooperation will encourage. In addition, 24 fiber pair system It is aimed to create a high capacity infrastructure by using.
Investing in Digital Highways
Meta's investment in this project is in the billions of dollars. Thanks to this investment, the company has digital highways “This project will increase economic cooperation, promote digital inclusion and provide opportunities for technological developments in these regions,” the blog post reads.
Importance of Submarine Cables
Undersea cables are critical to the delivery of digital services and the rapid transfer of data. According to current statistics, more than 95% of global internet traffic is delivered via undersea cables. TeleGeography According to data from a telecommunications research company called , there are more than 600 public submarine cable systems worldwide. One of these systems is the 45Africa cable, which is supported by Meta and has a length of 2 thousand kilometers.
Infrastructure Investments of Technology Giants
In recent years, investments in submarine cable infrastructure by major technology companies have been increasing. For example, Google announced that it will build the first submarine cable between Africa and Australia in 2024 and announced a $1 billion investment to strengthen the connection to Japan in the Pacific Ocean. This demonstrates the ability of major technology companies to independently invest in infrastructure.
Security Concerns and Geopolitical Risks
The increasing importance of undersea cables also raises security concerns. Recent cable cutting incidents show that undersea communications infrastructure is becoming a critical area for geopolitical tensions and conflict. NATO has decided to increase ship surveillance in the region following damage in the Baltic Sea. The UK Parliament has also launched a review to increase resilience to such disruptions. “Concerns are growing about the ability of Russia and China to undermine undersea infrastructure, particularly during times of tension or conflict,” the parliamentary report said.
Technical Details of the Project
Meta said Project Waterworth will lay cables at depths of up to 7 meters and use advanced burial techniques to protect against ship anchors and other hazards in shallow waters close to shore. This aims to overcome the technical challenges of the project. It also bypasses Europe and China, avoiding strategic geopolitical hot spots such as the Suez Canal and the South China Sea.
As a result
Project Waterworth stands out as an important step in strengthening not only Meta but also the internet infrastructure on a global level. This project aims to create a stronger connection network around the world by increasing the speed and quality of digital services. Such projects, which play a critical role in the future of technology and the internet, must also be carefully considered against security and geopolitical risks.
