Meta plans a new internet cable called Petal. It will run for 7,000 kilometres under the sea between the US and France. It will start working in 2029. It can carry one million gigabits each second. That is enough data for about 25,000 high-quality films.
Petal will carry twice as much data as similar cables. Inside, thin glass threads carry light. Each thread has two paths for the light instead of one. This doubles the space for data without needing twice as much power.
NEC will design and build the system. Sumitomo Electric will supply the glass threads. Orange will connect the cable to France’s coast and Europe’s land network.
