Facebook and Google plan to lay submarine cables from the United States to Southeast Asia

On March 29, according to foreign media reports, American technology companies Facebook and Google are planning to lay two submarine optical cables, which will connect the west coast of the United States with Singapore and Indonesia in Southeast Asia. Facebook said that the two cables will increase the Internet data capacity in the above-mentioned regions by 70%, and will also improve network reliability.

According to Facebook, the two cables are named "Echo" and "BiFrost", with the two companies investing in "BiFrost" and Google investing only in "Echo". The cost of the project has not been disclosed as it is still subject to regulatory approval.

The project will also involve Indonesian companies Telin and XL Axiata, as well as Singapore's Keppel. Echo is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, and BiFrost by 2024.