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Meta has announced its investment in the construction of a new submarine cable system, “Candle,” which will interconnect Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, forming the largest data transmission network in the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative aims to strengthen regional network resilience, enhance cross-border data transfer efficiency, and support the growing bandwidth demands of AI and other high-performance digital applications.
According to Meta’s official plan, the Candle cable will span approximately 8,000 kilometers and is expected to be completed by 2028. Utilizing state-of-the-art 24-pair fiber optic technology, it will deliver an astounding 570 terabits per second (Tbps) of total capacity, serving over 580 million internet users across the region.
Meta stated that this infrastructure will not only deliver a superior high-speed connectivity experience for the Asia-Pacific region but also play a pivotal role in advancing AI development and next-generation digital ecosystems.
In addition to Candle, Meta announced that the “Apricot” submarine cable — jointly developed with its partners — has officially entered operation. The system currently connects Taiwan, Japan, and Guam, with future extensions planned to reach the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore, ultimately spanning 12,000 kilometers.
Once fully operational, Apricot will add an additional 290 Tbps of transmission capacity to existing systems like Bifrost and Echo, further enhancing cross-border data exchange efficiency.
Meta also shared updates on its other trans-Pacific cable initiatives. The Bifrost cable has now been completed, linking Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States, with an extension to Mexico planned for 2026. Designed along a nontraditional route, Bifrost provides an extra 260 Tbps of redundant capacity to one of the world’s busiest digital corridors.
Meanwhile, the Echo cable currently operates between Guam and California, offering the same 260 Tbps of high-speed transmission, with potential future expansion into additional Asian territories based on demand.
Meta emphasized that the Asia-Pacific region, home to over 58% of the world’s internet users, relies on stable international connectivity as a critical foundation for AI computation and cloud services.
Beyond the four major systems — Candle, Apricot, Bifrost, and Echo — Meta is also advancing the “Waterworth” transcontinental submarine cable project, which aims to connect all five continents within the next decade. In parallel, the company’s “2Africa” initiative seeks to unite the Middle East, Africa, and Europe into a single, cohesive digital network.
Meta reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with Asia-Pacific telecom operators to expand high-speed communication and digital infrastructure — delivering faster, more reliable, and sustainable connectivity for AI, cloud computing, and the global online community.
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