Meta has announced the launch of Candle, a new submarine cable system set to become the largest-capacity cable in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Scheduled to go live in 2028, Candle will span 8,000 kilometres and provide 570 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity, connecting over 580 million people in Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Candle is part of Meta’s broader investment in subsea cable infrastructure in APAC, which includes the Echo, Bifrost, and Apricot cables. These projects aim to deliver Meta’s products, services, and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to billions of users in the region. “Our investments will enhance the scale and reliability of the global telecommunications network,” Meta stated.
The Bifrost cable, now operational, connects Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States, with a future extension to Mexico expected by 2026. Echo, another key project, currently offers 260 Tbps of capacity between Guam and California. Meanwhile, the Apricot cable links Japan, Taiwan, and Guam, with plans to extend to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore.
These initiatives are part of Meta’s commitment to improving digital infrastructure and connectivity worldwide. The company also highlighted its involvement in other global projects, such as 2Africa and Project Waterworth, to further enhance global connectivity.
