Meta Unveils AI-Powered Subsea Cable Programme To Connect India, US, Brazil And More

Meta has launched Project Waterworth, its most advanced undersea cable infrastructure programme to date. The programme uses artificial intelligence (AI) to change how submarine cables are deployed and maintained across the globe.

The Facebook parent is placing special emphasis on India as a strategic market, including the country into its expanding network of high-speed submarine connections. The project's reach extends to major markets including the US, Brazil, and South Africa.

"Project Waterworth will bring industry-leading connectivity to the US, India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions. This project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions. 

"For example, in India, where we’ve already seen significant growth and investment in digital infrastructure, Waterworth will help accelerate this progress and support the country’s ambitious plans for its digital economy," Gaya Nagarajan, Vice President, Network Engineering, Alex-Handrah Aimé, Global Head, Network Investments, Meta, wrote in a post.

At the heart of Project Waterworth is a machine learning (ML) system designed to anticipate and address potential network disruptions before they impact service. This proactive approach aims to create more resilient underwater communications infrastructure.

With Project Waterworth, the social networking giant will continue to advance engineering design to maintain cable resilience, enabling it to build the longest 24 fibre pair cable project in the world and enhance overall speed of deployment. 

"We are also deploying first-of-its-kind routing, maximising the cable laid in deep water — at depths up to 7,000 metres — and using enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards," Nagarajan and Aimé added.