Facebook and Google to build submarine cables between Southeast Asia and North America

Facebook announced plans to lay the world’s largest submarine cables in 2020, but on March 28, 2021 (local time), it announced plans to build submarine cables connecting Singapore, Indonesia and North America in connection with Google.

Two new submarine cables are being built: Echo and Bifrost. Echo is being built in partnership with Google parent company Alphabet and Indonesian telecommunications company (XL Axiata) and is expected to be completed by 2023. In addition, Bfrost is being built in partnership with Indonesian and Singaporean companies, and is expected to be completed by 2024. This time, Facebook announced an investment in two cables.

Facebook said the two new routes across the Java Strait will increase the total capacity of this section by 70% across the Pacific Ocean. In Indonesia, 73% of the 270 million people can connect to the Internet, but most are mobile data connections and less than 10% can connect to broadband. The new submarine cable is expected to be accessible to people who have not been able to connect to the Internet until now.

In the past, Google and Facebook planned to build a PLCN (Pacific Light Cable Network) connecting North America and China, but the plan was halted due to worsening relations between the United States and China. Echo and Vifrost will need regulatory approval in the future, but are expected to provide ample internet capacity and reliable connectivity once approved and the project is over. Related information can be found here (Facebook , Google).