To bring fast internet connections all over the world, Facebook has been investing in subsea cable projects. The first was BitFrost and Echo to boost advanced connectivity in Indonesia and Singapore by 70%. It was followed by Project Apricot, a state-of-the-art optic cable in Guam, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Today, Facebook invests in “Pearl” subsea cables. It is an initiative to provide internet connectivity in Africa.
Facebook’s “Pearl” subsea cables aim to bring affordable internet to 33 countries in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The project extends over 45,000 kilometers. It is the longest subsea cable system deployed by Facebook so far. The main goal of “Pearl” subsea cables is to increase internet connectivity in Africa, being the least connected continent in the world. Some of its landing locations will be:
- Bahrain
- India
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
Facebook invests in “Pearl” subsea cables as of 28 September 2021.
Implications for Marketers:
As Facebook’s “Pearl” subsea cables bring fast internet connectivity in Africa, it will facilitate broader opportunities for marketers. With 1.8 billion online users in the region, conversion and reach will most likely increase.
Reference: https://engineering.fb.com/2021/09/28/connectivity/2africa-pearls/
