120Tbps Internet Cable Project Via Facebook-Google Partnership

Google just announced a new project involving the construction of an underwater internet cable line that spans the Pacific Ocean to connect Los Angeles and Hong Kong. The search engine giant is partnering with Facebook in order to make it a reality, with the cooperation of a minor Chinese firm called Pacific Light Data Communication Co. Once finished, the cable is expected to deliver a lightning-fast 120Tbps connection from point-to-point.

Called the Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN), the cable will run the 12,800km distance between the western U.S. shore and the South-East Asian port city. This will be the first direct line between the two points, which is expected to improve internet communications by the companies involved throughout the region.

As Gizmodo notes, Facebook has partnered with Microsoft to lay down another submarine internet cable that connects the U.S. to Spain called MAREA. That particular project is expected to deliver an even faster internet connection at 160Tbps but is only going to cover roughly half the same distance as the PLCN.

In both cases, however, all three tech companies are expected to benefit in terms of faster data delivery. This is incredibly important because Facebook, Google, and Microsoft are all involved in Cloud services.

By providing infinitely faster and direct connections between the three continents instead of relying on the jam-packed lines of telcos, the trio is able to achieve wider coverage and on their own terms. This is why Google now has ownership rights in over six submarine cables, not counting PLCN.

As The Wall Street Journal reports, there are no figures with regards to the cost of the project. Neither Google nor Facebook was willing to comment on their new Chinese partner as well. On the other hand, the chairman of Pacific Light Data, Wei Junkang has expressed delight at the prospect of the giant tech brands investing in the venture.