Meta to invest in multi-billion undersea cable project to strengthen global digital highways in the Indian Ocean region

Meta on Friday introduced a multi-billion, multi-year funding in an undersea cable project that can start work this 12 months and assist larger Indian Ocean connectivity, as per a US-India joint chief’s assertion from the White Home. The venture will finally stretch over 50,000 km to attach 5 continents and strengthen international digital highways within the Indian Ocean area and past.“India intends to put money into upkeep, restore and financing of undersea cables within the Indian Ocean, utilizing trusted distributors,” the assertion stated.

The announcement comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been on his two-day go to to the US, the place he also met Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

“Meta investing in India – one in every of its largest markets – and bringing the world’s longest, highest capability and most technologically superior subsea cable venture to attach India, the US, and different places,” a Meta spokesperson informed ET. “This new, multi-billion greenback funding will stretch over 50,000 km to attach 5 continents, enhancing the size and reliability of the worldwide digital highways that energy Meta’s apps and companies, and might be prepared for service on the finish of the last decade.”

The spokesperson added that with India’s rising demand for digital companies, the funding reaffirms Meta’s dedication to “financial progress, resilient infrastructure, and digital inclusion, supporting India’s thriving digital panorama and fostering technological innovation.”

The White Home stated that the leaders of each nations pledged to speed up protection expertise cooperation throughout house, air protection, missile, maritime and undersea applied sciences, with the US saying a overview of its coverage on releasing fifth technology fighters and undersea methods to India.

“The US appreciates India’s function as a developmental, humanitarian help and internet safety supplier within the Indian Ocean Area,” the White Home stated. “On this context, the leaders dedicated to deepen bilateral dialogue and cooperation throughout the huge Indian Ocean area and launched the Indian Ocean Strategic Enterprise, a brand new bilateral, whole-of-government discussion board to advance coordinated investments in financial connectivity and commerce.”