Jakarta, INTI – Limited internet connectivity and speed across the Asia-Pacific region particularly in Indonesia, an archipelago of thousands of islands remains a major challenge in today’s digital era. Addressing this growing demand, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, officially announced a new project called “Candle” in October 2025. The initiative involves the construction of a submarine cable with a capacity of up to 570 terabits per second (Tbps), connecting Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, and is scheduled for completion in 2028. Through this effort, Meta aims to provide a solution to the region’s surging data needs while accelerating equitable access to high-speed internet across Indonesia.
Lightning-Speed Internet: 1 Petabyte in Just 14 Seconds
The Candle project is designed with a transmission capacity of 570 Tbps, making it one of the fastest submarine cables in the world. With this speed, the system can transfer 1 petabyte of data in only 14 seconds equivalent to moving the entire digital archive of a major university.
Meta employs 24 fiber-pair cable technology, currently the highest standard in global telecommunications. This technology enables twice the capacity of previous cable generations, forming a critical foundation to support the massive data growth driven by 4K streaming, cloud gaming, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.
Supporting Mark Zuckerberg’s Vision for AI Superintelligence
Meta emphasizes that Candle is not just a digital infrastructure project, but a key foundation for realizing CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of developing AI Superintelligence an advanced form of artificial intelligence that surpasses human capabilities.
To achieve this, a global network of high-speed and stable data centers is required. Candle will serve as the backbone connecting Meta’s data centers across multiple countries, ensuring that AI data transfers are efficient, fast, and secure. With this infrastructure, Meta hopes to accelerate the development of AI systems that are more adaptive, intelligent, and seamlessly integrated across platforms.
Strategic Reach Across the Asia-Pacific
The Candle submarine cable will span 8,000 kilometers, linking six countries across East and Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. Once completed in 2028, the project is expected to enhance connectivity for more than 580 million users in the Asia-Pacific region.
Beyond strengthening digital infrastructure, Candle is also expected to drive digital economic growth by improving cross-border data efficiency, accelerating digital public services, and expanding access to education and online business opportunities, especially in remote areas.
Complementing the Bifrost, Echo, and Apricot Cable Network
Before Candle, Meta had already developed three major submarine cable projects: Bifrost, Echo, and Apricot.
- Bifrost connects Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the United States, with a total capacity of up to 260 Tbps and an upcoming extension to Mexico by 2026.
- Echo and Apricot enhance trans-Pacific network stability by up to 70%, ensuring uninterrupted connections even if one route experiences disruptions.
With the addition of Candle, Meta’s submarine cable ecosystem will become stronger, faster, and more reliable, positioning Indonesia as a key digital connectivity hub in the global network landscape
Conclusion:
The Candle project underscores Meta’s commitment to expanding global digital infrastructure, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. With a capacity of 570 Tbps and cutting-edge fiber-optic technology, Candle not only promises exceptional internet speed but also reinforces Indonesia’s role as a central node in global digital connectivity.
Once completed in 2028, the project will mark the beginning of a new era of ultra-fast internet, serving as a foundation for the advancement of technology, the digital economy, and society throughout the region
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