Catenaa, Wednesday, October 15, 2025- Meta has completed its long-delayed Bifrost undersea cable system and unveiled plans for a massive new network called Candle to enhance data connectivity across Asia and the Pacific.
Originally planned for completion in 2024, Bifrost was delayed by regulatory and weather setbacks but is now operational.
The system connects Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States, with an extension to Mexico expected in 2026. The cable adds over 260 terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity to one of the world’s busiest digital corridors.
Meta said Bifrost complements its Echo and Apricot systems, which link regions across the Pacific and within Asia while bypassing congested and politically sensitive routes in the South China Sea.
Together, the three cables form part of a broader effort to diversify transpacific data routes and reduce reliance on existing networks influenced by China.
The company also announced Candle, an 8,000-kilometer subsea system developed with SoftBank, IPS Inc., TM Technology Services, and PT XLSmart Telecom, with NEC serving as supplier.
The new cable will connect Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, delivering up to 570 Tbps of capacity and serving over 580 million people when launched in 2028.
Meta said Candle will strengthen digital resilience and foster economic opportunity across Asia-Pacific, linking its regional networks with global projects such as 2Africa and Project Waterworth.
