MAREA Subsea Cable Sets Record Data Speed with Facebook and Microsoft
The MAREA subsea cable record data speed highlights a major breakthrough in global connectivity. Developed by Microsoft and Meta (Facebook), the transatlantic cable achieved a record 26.2 Tbps data transfer rate during a recent experiment.
MAREA subsea cable record data speed exceeds expectations
The MAREA subsea cable record data speed surpassed the previously estimated limit of 20 Tbps per fiber pair by more than 20%. Engineers achieved this milestone using 16 QAM modulation on a single fiber pair.
This result demonstrates the cable’s ability to deliver significantly higher performance without requiring physical upgrades.
Learn more about Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com
Learn more about Meta: https://about.meta.com
MAREA Cable Design and Capacity
Microsoft and Meta launched the MAREA subsea cable project in 2016 to meet growing demand for cloud connectivity. The cable runs from Virginia Beach, USA, to Bilbao, Spain.
Key specifications include:
- 160 Tbps total design capacity
- Eight fiber optic pairs, each originally rated at 20 Tbps
The new test results show that the system can exceed its original design expectations.
Implications for Future Subsea Networks
This breakthrough could reshape the future of subsea cable technology. Since engineers achieved higher speeds without new infrastructure, operators may upgrade existing systems at a lower cost.
However, current average speeds on the MAREA cable remain around 9.5 Tbps, meaning the record performance still remains in the experimental stage.
