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Meta Plans To Install An Impressive Submarine Cable, Surpassing Earth’s Sphericity And Expanding Digital Connectivity Around The World
Meta has announced plans to build the largest submarine cable in the world. Stretching 50,000 km, it will be larger than the Earth’s circumference, which measures 40,075 km. The project will connect five continents and promises to enhance global telecommunications infrastructure.
Submarine Cables: An Essential Network
Submarine cables are essential for global communication. Over 95% of data communications between continents are transported by this technology. Despite being little known to the public, they form the backbone of the worldwide internet.
The history of these cables dates back to the 19th century. The first successful transatlantic cable went into operation on August 16, 1858. It transmitted only one byte of Morse code every two minutes but represented a revolution. Before, communication between continents took weeks or months.
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In the following decades, the network grew rapidly. Great Britain pioneered the expansion of submarine cables, connecting its empire for strategic reasons. Today, there are over 600 submarine cables in the world, creating an essential infrastructure for data flow.
Security In Focus
In recent years, the security of submarine cables has become an increasing concern. In the Baltic Sea, cuts in cables have been reported in suspicious situations, especially near Finland and Sweden. Governments are closely monitoring these incidents, aware of potential threats.
The first submarine cables were made of copper, wrapped in layers of steel and waterproof materials. With advances in technology, modern cables utilize fiber optics, which transmit data through laser pulses. This increases speed and transmission capacity.
Meta’s Project
Meta plans to invest billions in the new submarine cable. It will connect the United States, India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia. With 24 pairs of fibers, it will be the largest and most advanced ever constructed.
The cable will be installed at depths of up to 7 km on the ocean floor. In shallow waters, sections will be buried to avoid accidental damage or intentional interference. The expanded capacity of the system aims to meet the growing demand for data worldwide.
This project reinforces the importance of submarine infrastructure in the digital age. The new connection promises to increase the speed and stability of the internet, strengthening the global communications network.
With information from New Atlas.
