INDUSTRY NEWS
UK altnets FullFibre, Zzoomm to merge
Meta to build 50,000km subsea cable
Meta, which owns FaceBook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has announced Project Waterworth, a plan to build a 50,000 km subsea cable connecting five major continents, making it the world’s longest subsea cable project. Although Meta is reticent to discuss financials, reports estimate the cost of the project will be at least US$10 billion. Project Waterworth will bring industry-leading connectivity to the U.S., India, Brazil, South Africa, and other key regions, says the company. The project will enable greater economic cooperation, facilitate digital inclusion, and open opportunities for technological development in these regions. For example, in India, where there has already
Consolidation continues among the UK’s altnets with the news that FullFibre, a wholesale full fibre network provider along with its in- house ISP retail company, BeFibre, and Zzoomm, have agreed to merge. The enlarged group will have one of the largest full fibre footprints in the UK, with some 600,000 properties ready for service and over 65,000 customers, and will also be well positioned for further M&A. The companies say the merged business will be able to accelerate growth, enhance operational efficiency and lead on further M&A across the fragmented Altnet sector. The merged entity combines two complementary networks and operating models.
been significant growth and investment in digital
This, say the companies, will create significant opportunities to accelerate customer growth across a larger footprint, secure funding for new builds and future mergers, and achieve greater operational and financial efficiencies through economies of scale. Additionally, the partnership will enhance wholesale services for internet service providers (ISPs), unlocking valuable new revenue streams. The merger is subject to final documentation execution and regulatory approval, expected early in 2025. Matthew Hare, CEO of Zzoomm, will become Executive Chairman and James Warner, CEO of FullFibre, will be Group CEO.
infrastructure. Waterworth will help accelerate this progress and support the country’s ambitious plans for its digital economy. Meta says with Project Waterworth, the company continues to advance engineering design to maintain cable resilience, enabling it to build the longest 24 fibre pair cable project in the world and enhance overall speed of deployment. It is also deploying first-of-its- kind routing, maximising the cable laid in deep water — at depths up to 7,000 meters — and using enhanced burial techniques in high-risk fault areas, such as shallow waters near the coast, to avoid damage from ship anchors and other hazards.
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ISSUE 40 | Q1 2025
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