
arabic.euronews.com
Meta to Build World's Longest Undersea Cable
Meta plans to build a 50,000-kilometer undersea cable, named "Waterworx," connecting five continents and significantly increasing data transfer capacity between the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa, representing a multi-billion dollar investment to improve global digital infrastructure.
- How does Meta's Waterworx project contribute to broader trends in global digital infrastructure investment and technological advancement?
- Meta's Waterworx project underscores the growing importance of undersea cables for international data transfer; over 99% of global data relies on these cables. The project aims to boost economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and technological advancements in target regions, aligning with Meta's AI initiatives. This investment reflects a broader trend among major tech companies to enhance global digital infrastructure.
- What is the significance of Meta's plan to build the world's longest undersea cable, considering the global reliance on subsea data transfer?
- Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, plans to build the world's longest undersea cable, named "Waterworx," spanning 50,000 kilometers and connecting five continents. The cable will utilize a 24-fiber pair system, significantly increasing capacity for communication between the US, India, Brazil, and South Africa. This ambitious project represents a multi-billion dollar investment.
- What are the potential risks and challenges associated with the Waterworx project, given the recent reports of undersea cable damage and sabotage?
- The Waterworx project's success hinges on mitigating vulnerabilities within the undersea cable system. Recent incidents of suspected sabotage in the Baltic Sea highlight the need for robust security measures. The project's impact will be significant, facilitating faster data transfer, supporting AI development, and potentially shaping global digital access in the coming years. The long-term success of the cable will also depend on the maintenance and security protocols in place.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames Meta's announcement very positively, emphasizing the scale and ambition of the project, its potential benefits for various regions, and its contribution to AI development. The headline (if there were one) would likely highlight these positive aspects. The inclusion of the quote about billions of dollars of investment further reinforces the positive framing. The potential downsides or risks are mentioned but downplayed.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, using factual descriptions. However, phrases like "higher capacity" and descriptions of the project enabling "greater economic cooperation" and "opening opportunities for technological development" could be viewed as slightly positive and promotional, rather than purely objective.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Meta's announcement and its potential benefits, but omits discussion of the environmental impact of laying such a long cable. It also doesn't delve into the potential economic disparities the improved connectivity might create, or the potential for increased digital divides within the connected regions. The security concerns, while mentioned, lack depth. The geopolitical implications of a US-based tech company controlling such a significant portion of global undersea cable infrastructure are not explored.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the project's impact, focusing on the positive aspects of economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and technological advancement without sufficiently acknowledging potential downsides or counterarguments. The framing implies that the project is inherently beneficial without fully exploring potential complexities.
Sustainable Development Goals
The project will lay the world's longest subsea cable, connecting five continents and boosting internet infrastructure. This directly contributes to improved digital infrastructure, supporting innovation and economic growth. The increased connectivity will facilitate economic cooperation, digital inclusion, and technological advancements, all aligning with SDG 9.