Megaport Cloud Router deliver L3 connectivity

Megaport introduced a virtual router service that enables customers to rapidly and privately connect at Layer 3 without the need to own or manage routers or physical infrastructure.

The Megaport Cloud Router (MCR) aims to make it easier for companies to connect to cloud services, expand their service footprint through virtual Points of Presence (PoPs), and peer with ecosystem partners worldwide. It does so by removing the need to own physical routers or network infrastructure and by reducing administrative complexities.

Megaport said its service also enables cloud to cloud connectivity. Customers can use its cloud router to move workloads and data between Cloud Service Provider (CSP) environments. Notably, Megaport is an Alibaba Cloud Technology Partner, Oracle Cloud Partner, AWS Technology Partner, Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Partner, Google Cloud Interconnect Partner, and IBM Direct Link Cloud Exchange provider.

Other benefits:

• Networks and various service providers can set up virtual PoPs around the world, to interconnect and peer with Ecosystem partners, enabling rapid deployment and reduced cost of ownership.
• Customers can create virtual routers within routing zones around the world to enable global coverage and support localized routing decisions.
• MCR eliminates the need to acquire public IP address space and administer an Autonomous System and reduces administrative and operational complexities involved with managing a Layer 3 network.
• MCR is fully integrated into the Megaport Software Defined Network (SDN) and provides ease of use for configuring Layer 3 connectivity to service providers and locations in the Megaport Ecosystem via the Megaportal.

“As a Network as a Service company, it’s imperative that Megaport continues to innovate solutions that abstract complexities in the network buying experience,” said Vincent English, Chief Executive Officer, Megaport. We’ve moved further up the stack by expanding our SDN’s capabilities to address Layer 3 IP routing and support a broader set of customers with varying technical capabilities and business needs. With Megaport Cloud Router, there’s no need for a deep understanding of Layer 3 intricacies to take advantage of IP routing features. Cloud to cloud connectivity is one of several new use cases unlocked by MCR which provides powerful options for enterprises architecting next-generation multicloud and hybrid cloud solutions. Our customers can move beyond the constraints of their physical network and rapidly establish virtual Points of Presence to unlock unique peering and interconnection opportunities around the world. We’re excited to continue innovating new services to address new market segments and empower the next phase of cloud and network growth.”

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Zayo acquires Optic Zoo for fiber network in Vancouver

Zayo Group has acquired Vancouver-based Optic Zoo Networks for CAD $31 million.

Optic Zoo owns and operates high-capacity fiber in Vancouver, British Columbia and has achieved a significant penetration of customers, with a focus on the digital media sector. The network spans 103 route miles and 100 on-net buildings through the city.

Zayo said Optic Zoo is expected to generate CAD $1.9M in annualized EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Zayo expects to achieve approximately CAD $0.5M in annualized cost synergies by year-end 2018 after a relatively straightforward integration process.

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Nokia wins supply contract for NTT’s 5G launch

NTT DOCOMO, Japan's largest mobile operator, selected Nokia to supply 5G baseband products in support of its 5G mobile network launch, which is planned to be in commercial service by 2020.
Specifically, Nokia will integrate its 5G New Radio (5G NR)-based AirScale hardware in the network. Based on the agreement, Nokia will support NTT DOCOMO in the evolution of its network from 4G/LTE to 5G, providing technology based on the new 3GPP-compliant 5G NR standard, the first stage of which was published shortly before the end of 2017.

Nokia noted that it has enjoyed a long-term working relationship with Japan's largest operator that has produced supply agreements for 3G and 4G/LTE networking technology. The two companies have also worked closely together in trials of 5G technologies and now agree on the supply of Nokia's 5G BBUs to be able to do centralized management for 5G RRHs (remote radio heads) for aiming to deploy in 5G network.

Hiroshi Nakamura, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, NTT DOCOMO said:
"We have been collaborating with partners such as Nokia on various 5G technology and use case trials since 2014. With this agreement with Nokia, we are now proceeding to the next step to launch 5G mobile services by 2020, and accelerate co-creation of new services and businesses with vertical industry partners."

Marc Rouanne, president of Mobile Networks at Nokia, said: "The agreement with NTT DOCOMO is a major milestone in bringing 5G to commercial reality, especially in a country with a long and proud history of technological achievements and early technology adoption. Together we have worked hard in recent months to commence preparations for NTT DOCOMO's eventual launch of its operational 5G service by 2020, which we have now set in motion by this very exciting announcement today."

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Sabey Data Center adds antenna superstructure to Manhattan facility

Sabey Data Center Properties, which is one of the largest privately owned multi-tenant data center owner/developer/operators in the U.S. with over 3 million square feet, has deployed a $1 million-dollar antenna superstructure atop Intergate.Manhattan, its 560-foot-tall facility at 375 Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan.

The antenna was placed through an alliance with New York-based Repeater Communications Group. Sabey will market and manage the antenna.

The companies said the triple-tier, line-of-sight connectivity array has already attracted customers including several government agencies, broadband ISPs, and others.

“From atop 375 Pearl Street, line-of-sight providers can reach thousands of buildings in the metropolitan area. We are delighted to partner with Repeater Communications Group because they are tremendous self-starters. They are one of the largest rooftop site operators in the Northeast,” said Robert Rockwood, President, Sabey Data Centers.

Paul Eisenberg, Co-Managing member of Repeater Communications, commented, “The investment that Sabey has made in 375 Pearl Street is second to none.  This building is ideally positioned to become the premier rooftop communications hub serving downtown and midtown Manhattan as well as Downtown Brooklyn.  We are very excited to be working hand in hand with the team at Sabey to achieve this goal.”

There is an unobstructed, 360-degree vantage point atop 375 Pearl Street and the Sabey's Meet Me Room on the sixth floor offers fiber connectivity to 20+ carriers.

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IBM and Salesforce extend their growing alliance

IBM and Salesforce are working to integrate IBM Cloud and Watson services with Salesforce Quip and Salesforce Service Cloud Einstein to enable companies to connect with their customers and collaborate more effectively with deeper insights.

In addition, Salesforce has named IBM a preferred cloud services provider and IBM has named Salesforce its preferred customer engagement platform for sales and service.

"Naming IBM as a Salesforce preferred cloud services provider demonstrates the power of the IBM Cloud to help companies fundamentally change the way they do business," said Ginni Rometty, chairman, president and CEO, IBM. "This expanded partnership builds on the combined power of Watson and Einstein to help enterprises make smarter business decisions."

"The success of our customers drives everything we do at Salesforce, including our strategic partnership with IBM," said Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO, Salesforce. "The combination of IBM Cloud and Watson services with Salesforce Einstein and Quip will deliver even more innovation to empower companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way, leveraging the power of the cloud and AI."

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A second successful launch for Rocket:ab from NZ

Rocket Lab successfully completed its test launch from its from the Māhia Peninsula in New Zealand.

The Electron rocket reached orbit and deployed customer payloads at 8 minutes and 31 seconds after lift-off.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era in commercial access to space. We’re thrilled to reach this milestone so quickly after our first test launch,” says Rocket Lab CEO and founder Peter Beck. “Our incredibly dedicated and talented team have worked tirelessly to develop, build and launch Electron. I’m immensely proud of what they have achieved today.”

The payload included a Dove Pioneer Earth-imaging satellite for launch customer Planet, as well as two Lemur-2 satellites for weather and ship tracking company Spire.

Founded in 2006 by Peter Beck, Rocket Lab is headquartered in Los Angeles with operations and a launch site in New Zealand. It is a privately funded company with investors including Khosla Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, DCVC (Data Collective), Lockheed Martin, Promus Ventures and K1W1.

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Elliott comments on Qualcomm's extended tender for NXP

Elliott Advisors (UK) published an advisory letter to investment funds that now collectively hold an increased economic interest in NXP Semiconductors N.V. of approximately 6.6%. The advisory argues that that NXP is of significant strategic importance to QUALCOMM Incorporated (“Qualcomm”) and that such a transaction will deliver substantial value to Qualcomm shareholders at prices meaningfully higher than Elliott’s own assessment of standalone intrinsic value of $135 per share.

Elliott’s letter sets out the following points:

• Qualcomm’s shareholders would benefit from a transaction which delivers material diversification away from its declining licensing business and provides meaningful strategic and financial synergies. In Elliott’s view, an acquisition of NXP brings more dollars of strategically relevant diversification in high-growth segments of the semiconductor market to Qualcomm than any other company. Elliott also notes that these benefits would not be available to Qualcomm through other means of capital allocation such as a buyback;
• The synergies from the acquisition of NXP by Qualcomm alone could create between $19 and $48 of value per NXP share. NXP shareholders would be uniquely disadvantaged if a transaction occurred and these synergies were not appropriately and fairly shared. The average takeover premium paid on semiconductor and large cap deals during the last seven years was, based on one recent estimate, approximately 37%; and
• The UBS Financial Analysis shows that Qualcomm shareholders could benefit from a share price increase from unaffected levels, as a result of an NXP acquisition, in excess of 30% at prices meaningfully higher than Elliott’s view of NXP’s standalone value of $135 per share.

“We believe both Qualcomm and NXP shareholders stand to benefit from a credible offer for NXP — an offer which appropriately and fairly recognizes both NXP’s intrinsic value, the substantial value that will be delivered to Qualcomm and a control premium for NXP shareholders,” Elliott said in its letter to shareholders. “Even if one’s view of NXP’s intrinsic stand-alone fair value is below Elliott’s own estimate of $135 per share, we believe the analysis supports the finding that Qualcomm can deliver value to its shareholders at prices for NXP higher than $135 per share. Our increasing economic interest in NXP which has current market value of approximately $2.7 billion underscores our significant level of conviction in the value opportunity present at NXP today.”

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