Visakhapatnam to emerge as global digital hub with Meta’s undersea cable

Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny, is set to become a key node in the global internet network. Meta plans to lay a 50,000-kilometre undersea cable connecting the United States, Brazil, South Africa, and India. The project is expected to be completed by 2030. The fibre system will link the port city directly to one of the world’s fastest digital corridors. Andhra Pradesh will gain a strong position in global connectivity.

The cable will have a capacity of 1 petabit per second. It promises ultra-fast, low-latency internet. The network will open new avenues for the State’s engagement with international markets. “This is not just a cable, it’s a lifeline to the future,” said a senior official from the IT, Electronics and Communications Department. “It is a defining moment for Andhra Pradesh’s digital economy.”

The landing of the cable is likely to spark massive investments in data centres and technology infrastructure. Tata Consultancy Services has proposed a Rs 1 lakh crore, 1,000-megawatt data centre in Visakhapatnam. It is expected to create around 12,000 jobs. Google has received Cabinet approval for its largest data centre outside the United States, a Rs 87,520 crore facility through its Indian subsidiary Raiden Infotech. Sify Technologies plans a Rs 16,000 crore campus in the city.

Industry experts say landing stations attract hyperscale operators, cloud providers, and digital enterprises. “Once operational, the cable will significantly reduce latency, lower bandwidth costs, and enhance efficiency for companies establishing a presence here,” said R. Venkatesh, a telecom consultant.

The high-speed network will support smart city initiatives. Officials expect it to enable real-time traffic management, e-governance, digital education, telemedicine, and Industry 4.0 applications across ports and industrial zones. “This infrastructure will underpin the city’s transformation into a digital-first economy,” said Neelanjana, a 2^nd year student of B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology) in Computer science.

With stable power and water resources, and strong policy support, Visakhapatnam is poised to become the digital capital of eastern India. Experts say Meta’s cable marks not just a telecom milestone but a structural shift. The city will anchor global digital infrastructure and high-value innovation over the next decade.