Meta is diving into the world of subsea cables with a massive $10 billion investment in a new network that promises to reshape global connectivity. The project, described as the “mother of all submarine cables,” will span more than 40,000 kilometers and stretch across the globe, connecting the east and west coasts of the United States, while also linking India, South Africa, and Australia.

One of the key motivations behind Meta’s ambitious subsea cable project is to avoid regions with geopolitical tensions that have historically been hotspots for sabotage. This includes critical areas like the Red Sea, the South China Sea, Egypt, and the Straits of Malacca. By bypassing these regions, Meta aims to ensure the resilience and security of its network.

What sets this cable apart is Meta’s plan to retain full control over it. Unlike the company’s existing investments in 16 subsea cable networks, which it co-owns, this new infrastructure will be entirely Meta’s. This will allow the tech giant to prioritize traffic for its own services and potentially streamline data transfer for its vast array of digital offerings.

The scope of the project is enormous, with estimates suggesting it could take anywhere from five to ten years to complete. The subsea cable, named “W” for its potential shape, will have an estimated capacity of 320 terabits per second, ensuring it can handle the increasing global demand for data. In terms of future-proofing, Meta’s plan aligns with similar moves by other tech giants like Google, which also owns and controls its own subsea cables.

Though the project is still in its early stages, Meta is expected to release more detailed information on its route, capacity, and strategic motivations by early 2025. Given the growing importance of subsea cables for global communications, Meta’s initiative could significantly alter how data flows across the planet.