Meta plans to link US and India with world’s longest undersea cable project

The Guardian | February 18, 2025

• Project Waterworth involves a 50,000km (31,000-mile) subsea cable, and aims to connect the US, India, South Africa, Brazil and other regions.

• More than 95% of the world’s internet traffic is transferred through undersea cables, so this project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions.

• In July, large parts of Tonga were left in darkness after the undersea internet cable connecting the island network was damaged, causing chaos for local businesses.

• The project includes plans to lay its cable system up to 7,000 metres deep and “use enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards”.