Long after Google got involved in such mundane things as submarine cables, it seems two other tech giants have gotten the itch.
Apparently both Microsoft and Facebook are making plans to follow in Google’s transpacific footsteps and invest in a new undersea fiber build. Actually Facebook is already part of APG I believe, but might be looking to up its presence further.
There have been a number of projects proposed in recent years for followup cables in the Pacific. But since the Unity, AAG, and TPE cables were built, there hasn’t been much action. Microsoft and Facebook are probably looking to do the same thing as Google did, i.e. breathe new life into existing ideas while gaining influence into their future infrastructure that they might not otherwise have.
If they actually follow through, I have to wonder if they’ll also start to seriously look at terrestrial fiber investments as Google has been doing.
That being said, it’s all just talk right now. And given the contentious post-Snowden-NSA environment when it comes to US tech firms taking the lead in such projects, I suspect it will not be so quick to turn into reality — especially in the Pacific where there actually has been investment relatively recently.
Frankly, my attitude is the same as it was before Google made Unity happen: I’ll believe it when I see the cable ships deployed.
This article was authored by Rob Powell and was originally posted on Telecomramblings.com
Rob Powell is founder & editor of Telecom Ramblings, which was set up in 2008. The website is dedicated to discussing trends and developments in the telecom industry.