Meta has announced a new transatlantic subsea cable designed to significantly expand internet and artificial intelligence infrastructure, while preparing to showcase a reported camera-free pair of AI glasses at its annual Connect conference.
The cable, named Petal, will link the United States and France across approximately 7,000 kilometres. Meta said it would be the first subsea cable to deliver petabit-scale capacity across transoceanic distances and would double the capacity of today’s most advanced transatlantic systems.
According to the company, Petal is expected to enter service in 2029. The project is being developed with NEC, Sumitomo Electric Industries and Orange, and will use multi-core fibre technology aimed at increasing data capacity without a proportional expansion in physical infrastructure or power requirements.
The announcement comes as demand for computing and connectivity infrastructure rises, particularly because of the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence services. Meta has been investing heavily in subsea cables, data centres and other infrastructure to support its social-media platforms, AI systems and consumer devices.
Camera-free glasses expected
Meta is also expected to unveil new AI-powered glasses at its Connect conference, scheduled for September 23 and 24.
The Information reported that the company is developing a camera-free model internally codenamed Luna, with shipments potentially beginning in October. The report, cited by Reuters, said the glasses would have six built-in microphones for interaction with Meta AI and the company’s Muse AI agent.
Instead of a camera, the reported design is expected to include speakers directed towards the wearer’s ears and a dedicated button for quickly activating Meta AI. The glasses could be offered in two designs and are expected to appear slimmer and more similar to conventional eyewear, according to reports.
The camera-free approach would distinguish Luna from Meta’s existing Ray-Ban Meta glasses, which include cameras for photographs and video. It also appears aimed at addressing privacy concerns surrounding wearable devices capable of recording people nearby.
Meta’s official Connect programme says the two-day event will focus on artificial intelligence, AI glasses and virtual reality.
Wider technology focus
Connect is expected to provide a platform for Meta to discuss its broader AI strategy, including consumer assistants, augmented reality and mixed-reality hardware.
The Petal announcement and the expected Luna launch highlight two sides of Meta’s technology ambitions: expanding the infrastructure needed to run AI services while developing new interfaces through which users can access them.
Petal will join Meta’s growing subsea cable portfolio, which includes projects intended to improve the company’s control over global connectivity and provide additional capacity for its platforms and AI operations.
For consumers, attention at Connect is likely to centre on whether Meta can make AI glasses useful without intensifying concerns about surveillance and consent. The reported removal of the camera could help the company position the new glasses as a voice-first AI device rather than a wearable recording tool.
This story is based on Meta announcements and media reports. Meta had not publicly confirmed all details of the reported Luna glasses before the Connect conference.
