Source: Social Media Today – Latest News by Andrew Hutchinson. Read the original article
TL;DR Summary of Meta’s 2Africa Undersea Cable Project Update
Meta’s 2Africa undersea cable project, connecting Africa, Europe, and Asia, is now mostly complete despite earlier delays caused by regional security issues. The cable spans 45,000 km and enables connectivity for over 3 billion people, boosting internet capacity and lowering costs. Challenges such as missile attacks in the Red Sea have impacted progress, but the project promises to significantly enhance international bandwidth and contribute billions to Africa’s economy.
Optimixed’s Overview: Transforming Global Connectivity with Meta’s 2Africa Cable
Project Scope and Impact
Meta’s ambitious 2Africa undersea cable aims to revolutionize internet connectivity across three continents—Africa, Europe, and Asia—by deploying 45,000 kilometers of submarine cabling. This infrastructure is designed to enhance digital access in key markets including Africa, India, and the Middle East, reaching 33 countries and over 30% of the world’s population.
Innovations and Technical Advances
- Increased Cable Burial Depth: The cable is buried 50% deeper than previous systems to avoid seabed hazards such as seamounts and hot brine pools, improving durability and network availability.
- High Capacity: The West segment supports 21 terabits per second per fiber pair with 8 fiber pairs, resulting in a total capacity of up to 180 terabits per second, enabling near-limitless internet bandwidth supply.
Challenges and Security Concerns
The project has faced significant security challenges, particularly in the Red Sea region, where construction teams have encountered missile attacks reportedly from the Iranian-backed Houthi group. These threats have caused delays and necessitated cable rerouting. While Meta has not publicly detailed these issues, it acknowledges that some components remain unfinished.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
- Economic Growth: 2Africa is projected to add up to $36.9 billion to Africa’s GDP within the first two to three years of operation.
- Lower Costs for ISPs and MNOs: The vast capacity enables internet providers to access bandwidth at reduced wholesale prices, fostering broader internet adoption.
- Support for Emerging Technologies: Enhanced connectivity will facilitate the deployment of AI tools and digital services across new regions, expanding Meta’s global reach and revenue potential.
