Microsoft, Facebook Complete Transatlantic Marea Internet Cable

Microsoft and Facebook have finished laying their massive Marea Internet cablevision across the Atlantic Ocean, the companies appear Th.

Running from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Bilbao, Espana, the cable spans more than 4,000 miles and weighs almost x.25 million pounds — which is nearly every bit heavy equally "34 bluish whales," Suresh Kumar, corporate vice president of Microsoft cloud infrastructure and operations wrote in a blog post.

It can transmit up to 160 terabits of data per 2d, which is "more than than 16 meg times faster than the average domicile internet connection, making it capable of streaming 71 million high-definition videos simultaneously," Kumar added.

Crews began installing the cable terminal twelvemonth and completed the project — which Kumar chosen a "feat of technology" — right on schedule. Microsoft and Facebook built Marea, which is the Spanish discussion for tide, with the help of Telxius, Telefónica'southward telecommunications infrastructure company, which will serve as operator of the new organization and sell capacity every bit part of its wholesale infrastructure business.

"We're energized by the impact the Marea subsea cable will have on the advancement of cloud computing and digital services," Kumar wrote. "Marea will enhance the Microsoft Cloud … through additional chapters and resiliency."

Marea's route is south of existing transatlantic cable systems, almost of which are located in New York and New Bailiwick of jersey.

"Beingness physically separate from the other cables helps ensure more resilient and reliable connections for customers in the United States, Europe and beyond," Kumar wrote.

Nearly Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag's adept on fitness and smart home products. Teaching yoga for nearly x years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fettle trackers, heart charge per unit monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength grooming machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to proper noun a few.