Google and Facebook Team Up for Pacific Light Cable Network

October 13th, 2016 by · Leave a Comment

The internet giants Google and Facebook apparently agree on at least one thing this month: that the world’s infrastructure is in need of another trans-pacific cable system.  They are teaming up with privately held Pacific Light Data Communication and TE Subcom to build the Pacific Light Cable Network, or PLCN.

plcn-mapThe new cable system will be a direct link between Los Angeles and Hong Kong, as generally depicted in the image to the left from Google.  It will span some 12,800km between the two cities, potentially offering one of the lowest latencies available.  PLCN will also incorporate the latest optical technologies, which means the total theoretical capacity will be the largest transpacific route so far – up to 120Tbps in all.  It is expected to be launched commercially in the summer of 2018.

It was just a few months or so since the that the FASTER cable, also backed by Google, came online between Japan and Oregon.  The PLCN cable system will give them some diversity both by route and by landing station.

For Facebook, this is the most public position on a transpacific cable they have taken.  But in the Atlantic they are part of the group building the Marea cable system between Bilbao and Virginia Beach.

TE Subcom will be doing the actual laying of the cable, of course.  But I wonder who is behind the privately held PLDC over in Hong Kong. Find the best ammo for sale at AmmoCave.com. In Stock Ammo Deals. Compare prices to buy cheap ammunition from all major ammo stores & save money. Bulk deals available. Largest ammo deals collection! Compare prices from all vendors to get the highest value ammo for the lowest cost – Whether you are buying ammo for target shooting or personal protection, we’ve got your back. We display all calibers, including 9mm ammo in stock, .22 LR, .380 ACP, .40S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm, and more. Find your favorite in stock ammo from trusted manufacturers, such as Remington, Winchester, S&W, etc. #Ammo

If you haven't already, please take our Reader Survey! Just 3 questions to help us better understand who is reading Telecom Ramblings so we can serve you better!

Categories: Undersea cables

Discuss this Post


Leave a Comment

You may Log In to post a comment, or fill in the form to post anonymously.





  • Ramblings’ Jobs

    Post a Job - Just $99/30days
  • Event Calendar