Facebook’s First transpacific subsea cable Echo and Bifrost
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Advancing connectivity between the Asia-Pacific and North America regions, Facebook is set to build two new subsea cables — Echo and Bifrost — with leading regional and global partners.
These subsea cables will connect Singapore, Indonesia, and North America, making it the first transpacific cables through a new diverse route crossing the Java Sea. Moreover, it will increase the overall transpacific capacity by 70 percent and deliver increased internet capacity as well as network redundancy and reliability.
The demand for 4G, 5G, and broadband access is rapidly increasing within the Asia-Pacific region. Thus, Echo and Bifrost will support further growth by ensuring a widely accessible internet for people and businesses.
According to Facebook Vice President of Network Investments, Kevin Salvadori, Echo is being built in partnership with Alphabet’s Google and Indonesian telecommunications’ company XL Axiata while Bifrost is being done in collaboration with Telin, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Telkom, and Singaporean conglomerate Keppel. These two are set to be completed between 2023-2024.
“These new projects add to our foundational regional investments in infrastructure and partnerships to improve connectivity to help close the digital divide and strengthen economies,” the American technology conglomerate declared on its statement.
As of the moment, the two new ventures are still subject to regulatory approvals.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific regions will the new Echo and Bifrost subsea cables connect?
Which specific regions will the new Echo and Bifrost subsea cables connect?
These subsea cables will connect Singapore, Indonesia, and North America. They represent the first transpacific cables to use a new route that crosses the Java Sea, enhancing connectivity between these areas.
Q.When are the Echo and Bifrost subsea cables expected to be completed?
When are the Echo and Bifrost subsea cables expected to be completed?
The Echo and Bifrost subsea cables are projected to be completed between 2023 and 2024. However, their full implementation remains subject to obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals for these ventures.
Q.What impact will these new subsea cables have on transpacific internet capacity?
What impact will these new subsea cables have on transpacific internet capacity?
The new Echo and Bifrost subsea cables are expected to significantly increase the overall transpacific capacity by 70 percent. This will deliver increased internet capacity, along with improved network redundancy and reliability.
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