Meta Makes a Bet on AI Capacity in the Atlantic Undersea Network

According to AI TIMES, Meta said on September 21 that it would unveil "Petal," an undersea cable linking the United States and France, and raise its transmission capacity to 1 petabit. The plan would double the capacity of existing cutting-edge transatlantic cables while restraining increases in power use and physical infrastructure. The key is to place two transmission cores in a single optical fiber, enabling it to carry more data without simply increasing the number of fibers. The design also reduces signal loss and interference over long-distance routes, while converting and amplifying signals inside repeaters. Partners handling undersea system supply, optical fiber manufacturing, and European connectivity are also taking part in the project. Meta presented the move as an extension of its investment strategy in undersea infrastructure, saying it aims to develop it into a next-generation international communications network to keep pace with the spread of AI and digital services.