EXA to build 500Tbps Meridian transatlantic cable by 2029

EXA Infrastructure says transatlantic capacity will run out by early 2027 instead of late 2027, prompting it to order a new 500Tbps subsea cable, Meridian, with 24 fiber pairs between New Jersey and the UK. The system, built by Xtera, is due to go live in Q4 2029.

• Meridian: 6,500 km, 500Tbps, 24 fiber pairs, ready for service in Q4 2029
• EXA's existing capacity runs out by early 2027; bridge capacity lasts 12-18 months
• AWS, Google and Meta are keeping capacity on their own cables for AI
• Financial firms and neo-clouds now ask for four routes instead of two