Meta expands subsea cable network to boost APAC connectivity

Meta is ramping up its investment in subsea cable networks across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to improve global connectivity and support rising demand for digital services. APAC is home to over 58% of the world’s internet users, many of whom rely on strong infrastructure to stay connected and access emerging technologies like AI.

Meta is continuing to invest heavily in digital infrastructure to meet this growing demand. Earlier this year, the company shared plans for Project Waterworth, its most ambitious subsea cable yet. Stretching across five continents, the system is expected to be completed by the end of the decade. Now, Meta is providing updates on four other cable projects designed to strengthen internet capacity and reach across APAC.

Meta’s Candle subsea cable set to boost Asia’s connectivity

One of the key projects is Candle, which will become the largest-capacity subsea cable in APAC when it goes live in 2028. The 8,000-kilometre system will connect Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. It’s designed to support 570 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity, linking more than 580 million people across the region.

Candle is being built with regional telecom operators using 24-fibre-pair technology, the same type used in Meta’s current top-capacity system, Anjana. This will allow it to handle growing traffic demands and help support services that rely on high-speed data, including AI applications.

Expanding transpacific links

Meta’s investment in Bifrost and Echo aims to increase capacity between Asia and the United States by 70%. Both cables follow different routes across the Pacific to add redundancy and reduce the risk of service disruptions.

Bifrost is now operational, connecting Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the US, with a planned extension to Mexico in 2026. Its unique path across the ocean adds more than 260 Tbps of extra capacity to one of the busiest digital corridors in the world.

Echo currently connects Guam and California, also providing 260 Tbps. The system is designed to allow future connections deeper into Asia, creating additional flexibility for network operators.

Apricot strengthens regional links

Apricot, a 12,000-kilometre subsea system, connects Japan, Taiwan, and Guam. Future extensions will link it to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. With 290 Tbps of planned capacity, Apricot complements the Bifrost and Echo cables, further expanding connectivity within Asia and across the Pacific.

Taken together, Candle, Echo, Bifrost, and Apricot form the backbone of a stronger digital network across APAC. They improve connections between countries in Asia and provide transpacific bridges to the Americas.

These projects are part of a broader strategy. Investments like 2Africa aim to connect the region to India, the Middle East, and Europe. Meanwhile, Project Waterworth is expected to support new global traffic patterns as internet use continues to grow.

Meta’s cable investments aim to widen access across APAC

Expanding subsea cable systems isn’t just about faster speeds. For many communities, these networks provide essential links to information, services, and economic opportunities. Stronger infrastructure can help deliver AI tools, online platforms, and digital services to more people, supporting both individuals and businesses.

By working with telecom partners, Meta is increasing the scale and reliability of its global network. These investments aim to ensure that users across APAC can access its services quickly and dependably, no matter where they are.

(Photo by Denny Müller)

See also: Meta announces world’s longest subsea cable project

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Tags: ai, connectivity, internet, network, telecoms