Facebook wants to build underwater cable dubbed ‘Simba’ around Africa
Plans aimed at lowering its bandwidth costs and strengthening link to African market
Facebook Inc. is circling Africa. Literally.
The company is in talks to develop an underwater data cable that would encircle the continent, according to people familiar with the plans, an effort aimed at driving down its bandwidth costs and making it easier for the social media giant to sign up more users.
The three-stage project, named Simba after the lead character in “The Lion King,” could link up with beachheads in several countries on the continent’s eastern, western and Mediterranean coasts, though the exact route and number of landings is in flux, the people said.
Facebook spokesman Travis Reed declined to comment on the company’s plans for Africa. “We look all over the world when we c...