Lumen launches Network-as-a-Service (NaaS)

 Lumen Technologies launched its flagship capability on its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform, offering customers “radical flexibility in how they buy, use, and manage networking services.”

The Lumen NaaS platform offers a fully digital consumption model allowing customers touse a digital portal or APIs (Application Program Interface) to order and manage services. The first and flagship service on the NaaS platform is Lumen Internet On-Demand, which enables:

• dedicated connection to one of the largest, most connected and secure networks in the world 
• Ability to scale capacity in minutes 
• Internet speeds from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps
• A consumption-based billing model; pay only for the time services are active, starting at hourly rates 
• Real-time visibility into service performance and network usage
• Quick enablement of new capabilities

Lumen plans to expand its NaaS over time to include security services, such as DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service), SASE (Secure Access Service Edge), and Edge services.  In addition, Lumen NaaS will leverage a broad digital ecosystem of partners – including data center, cloud, technology, and managed service providers. Digital Realty is one of the first third-party data center providers to join the Lumen Network-as-a-Service Alliance Partner program.

"We have been preparing for this moment for a long time, building a world-class telecom network with state-of-the-art fiber, broad coverage and unsurpassed route diversity and scalability," said Kate Johnson, Lumen CEO. "Lumen's Network-as-a-Service offering takes the next step to deliver on our customers' networking dreams: the ability to fire up any port, with any service, at any time. It's your network, your way."

"Lumen is putting the customer at the center of our Network-as-a-Service platform, creating a cloud-like experience for buying, consuming, and managing our network services," said Andrew Dugan, Lumen CTO. "Businesses are looking for a dynamic, dedicated internet connection, but they want it from a reliable and flexible network. Unlike some Network-as-a-Service players, Lumen can deliver on this promise because we own and manage our network."  

"Lumen plays an important role in helping content providers move video content to AWS," said Evan Statton, Sr. Principal Architect in M&E at AWS. For example, Fox Sports was able to bring its live sports content to AWS by using an on-demand connection aligned with Lumen's Network-as-a-Service platform. We look forward to continued work with Lumen to help AWS customers achieve their live cloud production goals."

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Arista posts record Q2 revenue and profits

Arista Networks reported record revenue of $1.459 billion for Q2 2023, an increase of 8.0% compared to the first quarter of 2023, and an increase of 38.7% from the second quarter of 2022. Non-GAAP net income amounted to $501.2 million, or $1.58 per diluted share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $342.7 million, or $1.08 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2022.

“Arista again achieves record revenue and profitability for Q2 2023,” said Jayshree Ullal, President and CEO of Arista Networks. “Our customers now represent more than 75 million cumulative cloud networking ports.”

“Arista again achieves record revenue and profitability for Q2 2023,” said Jayshree Ullal, President and CEO of Arista Networks. “Our customers now represent more than 75 million cumulative cloud networking ports.”

https://investors.arista.com/Home/default.aspx

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BT names Allison Kirkby as next CEO, replacing Philip Jansen

BT Group plc selected Allison Kirkby as its next Chief Executive, replacing Philip Jansen as Chief Executive around the end of January 2024 at the latest.

Kirkby currently serves as President & CEO of Telia Company since early 2020.  She moved into the TMT sector in 2010, initially joining Virgin Media, and was most recently President & CEO of TDC (2018-2020), the largest telecommunications company in Denmark, and President & CEO of Tele2 AB (2015-2018) the largest challenger telecommunications company in Sweden and the Baltics.

She has been a Non-Executive Director at BT Group since 2019 and is also a Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit Committee of Brookfield Asset Management Limited.

Adam Crozier, BT Group Chairman said: “The Board is delighted to have appointed Allison as our new Chief Executive. She is a proven leader, with deep sector experience and a history of having transformed businesses. I look forward to supporting her as we drive our long-term strategy to transform BT Group, ensuring it delivers for all our stakeholders.”

BT also announced the following remuneration for Kirkby:

• A salary of £1,100,000 per annum.
• A cash allowance in lieu of pension of 10% of salary and other benefits in line with our Remuneration Policy.
• An on target annual bonus of 120% of salary (with a maximum of 200%) subject to performance. Half of the annual bonus paid will be deferred into BT Group shares for a further three years with no additional performance conditions.
• A long-term Restricted Share Plan (“RSP”) award of 200% of salary, which vests in three equal tranches three, four and five years after grant. She is required to hold all vested shares until five years after grant. Her first pro rata RSP award will be granted soon after becoming Chief Executive.

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AMD to invest $400M for R&D in India

AMD plans to invest approximately $400 million investment over the next five years to expand its R&D in India.

 The planned investment includes a new 500,000-square-foot AMD campus in Bangalore, Karnataka that will serve as the company’s largest design center. The company is looking to add 3,000 new engineering roles by the end of 2028.

"From a handful of employees in 2001 to more than 6,500 employees today, AMD has grown its India footprint based on the strong foundation established by our local leadership and the highly skilled talent pool,” said Mark Papermaster, executive vice president and chief technology officer, AMD. 

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Francisco Partners and TPG to privatize New Relic in $6.5B deal

Francisco Partners, a leading global investment firm that specializes in partnering with technology businesses, and TPG, a global asset management firm, agreed to acquire New Relic for $87.00 per share in cash. The all-cash transaction values New Relic at an equity valuation of approximately $6.5 billion. The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 26% to New Relic’s 30-day volume-weighted average closing price ending on July 28, 2023.

San Francisco-based New Relic offers a data observability platform that empowers engineers to get all telemetry—metrics, events, logs, and traces—paired with a full stack analysis tools.

For its most recent fiscal quarter, New Relic posted total revenue of $242.6 million, up 12% from $216.5 million one year ago. Consumption revenue was $213.9 million, up 39% year over year.

Bill Staples, CEO of New Relic, said, “New Relic has made significant progress on its consumption business transition and, together with Francisco Partners and TPG, we will have the resources and flexibility to not only complete the final chapter of this transition, but also accelerate our strategy and provide customers with a standardized data-driven practice that any company can benefit from. I am proud of all that the team at New Relic has achieved, and I thank each of our employees for executing in a dynamic market and contributing to our continued success.”

https://newrelic.com/

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NTT announces stabilization of an electro-optic modulation-based optical frequency comb

NTT Corporation (NTT) and Tokyo Denki University have succeeded in further stabilizing the graduated frequency of an optical frequency ruler generated by modulating the intensity and phase of laser light in an electrical signal.

By using this result, it is possible to obtain a light source with a narrow linewidth whose frequency interval is 25 GHz, and it is expected to be applied to high-speed and large-capacity optical communications such as next-generation digital coherent transmission. In addition, microwaves with significantly reduced phase noise can be generated, which is expected to improve the accuracy of microwave generation and evaluation equipment.

An optical frequency comb (OFC) is an optical signal that has a comb-like emission line spectrum on the frequency axis, and is used for optical frequency measurement and precise frequency conversion from light to microwave. 

This research was published in the British scientific journal, Scientific Reports on May 30, 2023, and was presented in an invited talk at PIERS2023, an international conference on photonics, electromagnetics and information communications, on July 3.

https://group.ntt/en/newsrelease/2023/07/21/230721a.html

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Ceragon names Ilan Rosen as Chairman, succeeding Zohar Zisapel

Ceragon Networks named Ilan Rosen as its new Chairman of the Board, succeeding Zohar Zisapel, who sadly passed away on May 19, 2023.

Rosen has been a member of Ceragon's Board of Directors since July 2021. He currently serves as Managing Director in HarbourVest Partners LLC, a global private equity firm with more than 1,000 employees that manages approximately $100 billion worth of investments in various private equity strategies around the globe. From 1997-2012 Mr. Rosen served as Chairman of the Board of Tdsoft LTD which later merged into VocalTec. 

“I will strive to honor the legacy of Zohar Zisapel and help Ceragon reach the next stage of its evolution as an industry leader creating value in large and growing markets,” commented Mr. Rosen. “This is an exciting time for Ceragon, and I believe we have the right team in place, with significant telecommunications and technology expertise from the Board level down, to enable us to capture market share, expand market penetration and create long-term shareholder value.”

https://www.ceragon.com/news/ceragon-networks-names-ilan-rosen-as-chairman-of-the-board

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In Memoriam: Zohar Zisapel, 1949-2023

Zohar Zisapel, network entrepreneur and co-founder of the RAD Group of companies in Israel, passed away due to cancer on May 20, 2023, at the age of 74.

In 1981, Zohar and his brother Yehuda and cofounded RAD Data Communications Ltd.  Its first product was a miniature modem. The company would go on to release its first optical product a few years later, eventually adding many more networking products, and splitting into separate companies under the RAD umbrella. 

Over the years, Zohar is credited with founding, guiding and/or inspiring dozens of high-tech start-ups in Israel. 

Zisapel is also remembered for his philanthropy and for his support of his alma mater, the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.

A YouTube tribute to the Zisapel brothers: https://youtu.be/pqWbc6ydqaE

https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2023/05/the-technion-mourns-mr-zohar-zisapel/  

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JUPITER 3 geo-sat brings 500G capacity and 300 spot beams

On Friday, July 28, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket launched the Hughes JUPITER 3 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. Three hours and twenty-eight minutes after lift-off, JUPITER 3 successfully deployed from the launch vehicle and the solar arrays were  unfolded in space to their full ten-story span. The satellite is now transmitting and receiving. It will undergo extensive bus and payload testing before entering service and augmenting the Hughes JUPITER fleet with more than 500 Gbps of additional capacity.  

JUPITER 3, also known as EchoStar XXIV, is the largest commercial satellite to date.  From geosynchronous orbit at 95° West longitude, it will provide connectivity across North and South America at speeds up to 100 Mbps. Hughes plans to offer a hybrid service that leverages multipath technology to seamlessly blend satellite and wireless technologies for a faster and more responsive service than traditional satellite internet. JUPITER 3 will also support applications such as in-flight Wi-Fi, enterprise networking and cellular backhaul for mobile network operators (MNOs).  

The new satellite  features customized architecture based on a broad range of technology advances, including industry-first Q- and V-band gateway feeder links, the miniaturization of electronics, solid state amplifiers and highly efficient spot beam antenna designs. JUPITER 3 is equipped with 300 spot beams. Each beam carries 500 MHz or more, providing more than 1 Gbps to the VSAT users in each cell.  It uses Ka-band, Q- and V-band for gateways. Hughes has 18 active gateways, each of which transmits 11 GHz of V-band and Ka band and receives 4 GHz in Q-band. 

JUPITER 3 was built by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California. 

This was the third launch and landing of these Falcon Heavy side boosters, which previously supported USSF-44 and USSF-67.

“JUPITER 3 is the highest capacity, highest performing satellite we’ve ever launched. As the leading provider and inventor of satellite internet, we’re proud to herald the start of a new era of connectivity and serve more customers where cable and fiber cannot,” said Hamid Akhavan, CEO, EchoStar. “This purpose-built satellite is engineered uniquely to meet our customers’ needs and target capacity where it’s needed most, such as the most rural regions of the Americas, so they can stay connected to the applications and services they depend on every day.”  

https://www.hughes.com/resources/press-releases/hughes-jupiter-3-satellite-successfully-launches-heralds-start-new-era

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NTIA readies nearly $1 billion in 2nd round Tribal Broadband

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced today the availability of $980 million in funding  under the second round of funding from the Internet for All initiative’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP). 

The funding is targeted at Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities for the deployment of Internet infrastructure on Tribal Lands, affordability programs, telehealth and distance learning initiatives.

"The digital divide has disproportionately impacted people in Tribal communities for years,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson.  “But thanks to our Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, that’s finally starting to change. This latest round of funding will provide Indian Country with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.”

TBCP has already awarded $1.78 billion to 191 Tribal entities since the program began in 2021. By expanding high-speed Internet access and providing digital training and inclusion programs, the program will improve quality of life, spur economic development, and create opportunities for remote employment, online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and telehealth for Native American communities.

https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2023/biden-harris-administration-announces-nearly-1-billion-new-internet-all-funding

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Dell’Oro: AI infrastructure spending propels data center CAPEX

AI infrastructure spending will propel data center capex to over a half trillion dollars by 2027, according to a new report from Dell’Oro Group. However, the report predicts near-term cloud and enterprise capex growth to decelerate as the market undergoes digestion.

“Despite near-term data center capes growth headwinds as the major cloud service providers and enterprises optimize their infrastructure, forthcoming technology transitions will stimulate long-term growth,” said Baron Fung, Senior Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. “Most notably, the hyperscale cloud service providers will prioritize their investments toward accelerated systems for AI applications for both their public cloud platform and SaaS offerings. We will see continuous optimization across the entire data center stack, with the deployment of next-generation servers featuring high-core counts and deeper memory that are attached to next-generation networks. Meanwhile, the rest of the market will invest in accelerated systems more selectively, with most enterprises adopting a hybrid cloud strategy,” explained Fung.

Additional highlights from the July 2023 Data Center IT Capex 5-Year Forecast Report:

• * Worldwide data center capex is forecast to grow 15 percent by 2027.
• * Over 20 percent of the global server deployments in 2027 may be accelerated.
• * The edge computing forecast was trimmed as the ecosystem and compelling use cases have been slow to materialize.

https://www.delloro.com/news/ai-infrastructure-investments-will-lift-data-center-capex-to-over-500-billion-by-2027/

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DE-CIX expands interconnection footprint to Indonesia

DE-CIX plans to establish a joint venture company PT DE-CIX Indonesia, together with PT IDMarco Digital Solusi, a subsidiary of the Salim Group. 

The plan is to operate a distributed IX across multiple data centers in Jakarta using the DE-CIX Apollon platform. 

DE-CIX Jakarta will be connected to the existing DE-CIX ecosystem in Southeast Asia, now covering six metro markets: Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Brunei, and Manila. The IX will be directly connected to DE-CIX Singapore, thus incorporating DE-CIX Jakarta into its Southeast Asian interconnection ecosystem.

The platform includes advanced security features such as DE-CIX’s blackholing services and in-depth statistical data that allows participants to better understand their own traffic patterns, as well as a self-service portal and API for the easy management and automation of interconnection services.

“Indonesia, with the largest population and the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, is the next logical step for DE-CIX in the region,” explains Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX. “Our integrated solution supports the ongoing transformation of content and traffic localisation in the ASEAN region. Mega Hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong will continue to be important, however we expect to see the main growth in markets such as Jakarta. With the arrival of DE-CIX Apollon in Jakarta, all networks in Indonesia are invited to take advantage of DE-CIX’s best-in-class platform.”

“There has been a quiet investment made in basic digital infrastructure for the last 10 years, thus allowing Indonesia’s Internet penetration to increase significantly over the last five years, especially during the 2020 pandemic from both Mobile and Fixed Broadband. More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of good quality Internet, not just solely relying on fiber optic cables or the latest VSAT technology for connectivity. With the presence of this world-class Internet Exchange, we can accelerate the realization of better Internet quality for Indonesia. We are witnessing a new history being written.” said Thomas Dragono, Director of IDMarco Digital.

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TPG Real Estate acquires 80% of Digital Realty’s NoVA data centers

TPG Real Estate will acquire an 80% stake in three of Digital Realty’s hyperscale data centers in Northern Virginia. The deal is structured as a join venture in which Digital Realty retainsa minority interest in the portfolio while continuing to manage the day-to-day operations of the assets.

The three hyperscale data centers were contributed to the joint venture at an aggregate value of $1.5 billion.  The assets contain approximately 104 megawatts of IT capacity and are primarily leased by investment grade customers.  Based on annualized in-place cash NOI at June 30, 2023, net of signed leases and known move-outs, the transaction values the three facilities at approximately a 6.0% cap rate.  

Digital Realty will receive approximately $1.3 billion of gross proceeds related to the joint venture and the associated financing, which will be used to pay down debt, for transaction related expenses, and general corporate purposes.

"We welcome this partnership with TPG, a highly distinguished investment partner," said Digital Realty Chief Investment Officer Greg Wright.  "The completion of this stabilized hyperscale data center joint venture bolsters and diversifies Digital Realty's capital sources with an experienced partner and further enhances the efficiency of our balance sheet.  We remain focused on positioning Digital Realty to prudently support our stakeholders' longer term capacity requirements and look forward to executing on the remaining elements of our capital plan for 2023."

"Demand for data centers continues to grow rapidly due to data proliferation and the mass adoption of cloud computing.  These are long-term trends that we expect will only be accelerated by recent advancements in AI," said Ty Newell, Business Unit Partner with TPG Real Estate. "Located in the largest and most densely connected data center hub in the world, the Portfolio is well-positioned to address this demand.  We are excited by the outlook for the Ashburn market and look forward to working alongside a world-class partner in Digital Realty."

https://investor.digitalrealty.com/news/news-details/2023/Digital-Realty-and-TPG-Announce-Joint-Venture-of-Hyperscale-Data-Centers-in-Northern-Virginia/default.aspx

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Digital Realty posts Q2 revenue of $1.4 billion, up 20% YoY

 Digital Realty reported revenues for the second quarter of 2023 of $1.4 billion, a 2% increase from the previous quarter and a 20% increase from the same quarter last year.  The company delivered second quarter of 2023 net income of $116 million, and net income available to common stockholders of $108 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, compared to $0.19 per diluted share in the previous quarter and $0.19 per diluted share in the same quarter last year. 

"Digital Realty's second-quarter results demonstrate the positive momentum in our operating business, with improving fundamentals highlighted by strong enterprise leasing activity along with robust renewal spreads and healthy organic growth," said Digital Realty President & Chief Executive Officer Andy Power. "We advanced our funding plan by completing two capital recycling transactions that generated more than $2 billion in gross proceeds, helping to position Digital Realty for the opportunity that lies ahead."

Some highlights

• Digital Realty signed total bookings that are expected to generate $114 million of annualized GAAP rental revenue, including a $37 million contribution from the 0–1 megawatt category and a $13 million contribution from interconnection.
• The weighted-average lag between new leases signed during the second quarter of 2023 and the contractual commencement date was eleven months. 
• Digital Realty also signed renewal leases representing $211 million of annualized GAAP rental revenue during the quarter. 
• Rental rates on renewal leases signed during the second quarter of 2023 rolled up 6.9% on a cash basis and up 14.6% on a GAAP basis. 
• Digital Realty partnered with GI Partners to establish a joint venture for the sale of a 65% interest in two stabilized hyperscale data center buildings in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Digital Realty had approximately $17.7 billion of total debt outstanding as of June 30, 2023, comprised of $17.2 billion of unsecured debt and approximately $0.5 billion of secured debt and other. 

https://investor.digitalrealty.com/financials/quarterly-results/default.aspx

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DZS debuts environmentally hardened fiber broadband solutions

DZS introduced an end-to-end, environmentally hardened fiber broadband solution.

Highlights of the DZS FiberWay:

• The DZS Velocity Multi-Terabit OLT systems that deliver industry-leading, non-blocking performance and high density, including XGS-PON combo solutions today and the capacity to upgrade in-place to 50G PON and 100G PON in the future
• 
  The DZS Saber 4400 Optical EDGE Transport platform bringing from 100G to 400G of middle mile transport capacity per wavelength – up to 1.6 Terabits per second per stackable platform – to support transport capacity requirements as well as offer hardened CDC FlexGrid Open ROADM support to easily snap into existing transport ring topologies
• The DZS M4000 router enabling Layer 1-3 service delivery and traffic management for anchor institutions, businesses and cell towers
• DZS Expresse advanced cloud software for PON service and network assurance, with a roadmap for optimization for rural service providers
• DZS CloudCheck for in-home WiFi management and remote service assurance, with a roadmap for optimization for rural service providers
• DZS Xtreme cloud software for multi-vendor orchestration and automation, with a roadmap for optimization for rural service providers

DZS FiberWay is available in three base configurations and customizable versions.

• DZS FiberWay1 – Consists of a fixed form factor Velocity V1 capable of supporting over 2,000 subscribers, complemented by the Saber 4400, M4000 and DZS Cloud software
• DZS FiberWay 2 – Consists of a 2-slot, 2RU chassis capable of supporting over 4,000 subscribers, complemented by the Saber 4400, M4000 and DZS Cloud software
• DZS FiberWay 6 – Consists of a 6-slot, 6RU chassis capable of supporting up to 25,000 subscribers, complemented by the Saber 4400, M4000 and DZS Cloud software

Each solution can be complemented by a DZS cabinet optimally sized and configured for maximum efficiency or deployed in an existing cabinet. A wide variety of DZS Helix ONTs, CloudCheck certified WiFi gateways and access points are also available that can cater to the operational preferences of each customer. Additionally, other complementary and environmentally hardened products, such as easy-to-install 1RU co-existence elements (CeX) from Lambda Networks, in circumstances where service providers may desire maximum flexibility in transitioning between PON technologies in the field.

Service providers leveraging BEAD funds can also rest assured that Texas-based DZS is Build America, Buy America (BABA) ready, with a long history of U.S.-based manufacturing and strong relationships with contract manufacturers with U.S.-based manufacturing operations. 

“As communications service providers continue to chip away at the digital divide, they face the pressing need for effective solutions that not only meet the gigabit broadband requirements of today, but the multi-gigabit needs of the future while addressing the business challenges in serving, managing and supporting the needs of these communities over the long-term,” said Miguel Alonso, Chief Product Officer at DZS. “This is not a problem solved by point products for access and transport with software, but rather requires a comprehensive approach across all of these domains to meet the unique operational and business needs of unserved and underserved broadband markets where conditions are challenging, resources are scarce, yet demand for the latest connected home and business services and a world-class experience is high. “

https://www.dzsi.com

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Mitsubishi Electric pursues gallium-oxide wafers

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation acquired an equity position in Novel Crystal Technology, Inc., a Japanese company that develops and sells gallium-oxide wafers. 

Novel Crystal Technology, one of the world's first companies to develop, manufacture and sell gallium-oxide wafers for power semiconductors, and now a leading producer of these products, has manufacturing technology that Mitsubishi Electric will use in its production of gallium-oxide power semiconductors.

Mitsubishi Electric said it now expects to accelerate its development of superior energy-saving gallium-oxide power semiconductors by combining its own expertise in the design and manufacture of low-energy-loss, high-reliability power semiconductors with Novel Crystal Technology's expertise in the production of gallium-oxide wafers.

www.MitsubishiElectric.com/news/

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Broadcom releases Trident 4-X7 Ethernet switch ASIC

Broadcom announced shipment of its new Trident 4-X7 Ethernet switch ASIC— a 4.0 Terabits/second fully programmable switch designed for enterprise data center ToR (Top of Rack) boxes.

The Trident 4-X7 offers native support for 400G connectivity to the next-generation spine/fabric technologies, while cutting power per 100G port by more than half versus the current generation solution. The programmable switching chip also offers hardware features for analytics, diagnostics and telemetry for automating data center operations.  The chip also supports Enterprise SONiC and SAI. The chip is implemented in 7nm process technology.

“Broadcom has made huge investments in addressing the needs of our cloud customers,” said Ram Velaga, senior vice president and general manager, Core Switching Group, Broadcom. “We are also uniquely positioned to bring all of these cloud technologies into enterprise data centers. Enterprise customers can now take advantage of the same capabilities and innovations.”

Key features of the new BCM56690 series include:

• Cost- and power-optimized for next-generation data center and campus networks, supporting 50G ToRs (48x50G + 8x200G, or 48x50G + 4x400G) with a compiler-programmable architecture
• Enterprise-grade feature set with a high degree of feature concurrency
• Architecture scalability for bandwidth requirements throughout the enterprise network: SKUs available up to 4.0Tbps, all supported with the same NOS and hardware code base
• Industry-leading fully shared packet buffer and database sizes
• Extensive, programmable in-band telemetry including support for IFA 2.0 (In-band Flow Analyzer version 2)
• A wide variety of load-balancing and congestion management features including Dynamic Load Balancing, Dynamic Group Multipathing, Resilient Hashing, Latency-Based ECN marking, and Elephant Flow detection and re-prioritization
• Broadview Gen 4 integrated network instrumentation feature set and software suite, providing full visibility to network operators into packet flow behavior, traffic management state, and switch internal performance
• Four GHz-class processors on-chip enabling powerful out-of-band (streaming) telemetry and a variety of Broadcom-provided embedded applications
• Robust connectivity using up to 160 instances of the industry’s best performing, longest-reach 50G PAM-4 integrated SerDes core, enabling a wide variety of optical and direct attached copper (DAC) links
• https://www.broadcom.com/company/news/product-releases/61331

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AWS Local Zone opens in Phoenix - 34th worldwide

Amazon activated a new AWS Local Zone in Phoenix, Arizona, making a select set of EC2 instance types, EBS volume types, and other AWS services available with single-digit millisecond when accessed locally.

The first AWS Local Zone opened in Los Angeles in 2019.

AWS now operates Local Zones in 16 other parts of the United States and another 17 around the world, 34 in all. 

The company says it is planning to build 19 more Local Zones outside of the U.S.  Popular use cases include real-time gaming, hybrid migrations, content creation for media & entertainment, live video streaming, engineering simulations, and AR/VR at the edge. 

https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/new-aws-local-zone-in-phoenix-arizona-more-instance-types-more-ebs-storage-classes-and-more-services/

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Intel sees significant growth ahead across the AI continuum

Intel reported Q2 revenue of $12.9 billion, down 15% year over year (YoY).

The results beat expectations on gross margin and EPS. Intel also raised guidance for the remaining part of the year. GAAP gross margin was 39.1%

“Our Q2 results exceeded the high end of our guidance as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities, including building momentum with our foundry business and delivering on our product and process roadmaps," said Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO. "We are also well-positioned to capitalize on the significant growth across the AI continuum by championing an open ecosystem and silicon solutions that optimize performance, cost and security to democratize AI from cloud to enterprise, edge and client.”

David Zinsner, Intel CFO, said, “Strong execution, including progress towards our $3 billion in cost savings in 2023, contributed to the upside in the quarter. We remain focused on operational efficiencies and our Smart Capital strategy to support sustainable growth and financial discipline as we improve our margins and cash generation and drive shareholder value.”

Some highlights

• Data Center and AI (DCAI) group revenues were lower on higher unit costs driven by factory utilization and product mix
• Network and Edge Group (NEX) revenue s were lower on edge and telco demand softness and elevated network inventories
• Intel remains on track to meet its goal of achieving five nodes in four years. 
• IFS announced that Boeing and Northrop Grumman have committed to joining the U.S. Department of Defense’s RAMP-C program, led by Intel. The program is intended to assure domestic access to next-generation semiconductors by establishing and demonstrating a U.S.-based foundry ecosystem to develop and fabricate chips on Intel 18A.
• DCAI announced the general availability of cloud instances of its 4th Gen Intel Xeon® Scalable processors by Google Cloud. 
• In CCG, Intel continued to see strong demand for its 13th Gen Intel Core™ processor family, with more than 300 designs expected from OEM partners this year. It also announced a collaboration with Microsoft to drive the development of AI on personal computing, and previewed AI-enabled capabilities of Intel’s upcoming Meteor Lake client PC processors at Microsoft’s Build 2023 conference. In addition, Intel introduced the Intel® Arc™ Pro A60 and Pro A60M as new members of the Intel Arc Pro A-series professional range of graphics processing units (GPUs).
• For NEX, Intel, Ericsson and HPE successfully demonstrated the industry’s first vRAN solution running on the 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processor with Intel vRAN Boost.
• Mobileye continued to generate strong profitability in the second quarter and demonstrated traction with its advanced product portfolio by announcing a SuperVision eyes-on, hands-off design win with Porsche and a mobility-as-a-service collaboration with Volkswagen Group that will soon begin testing.
• The company has 122,200 employees at the end of the quarter compared to 128,200 a year earlier.

https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1637/intel-reports-second-quarter-2023-financial-results 

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T-Mobile US reports service revenues of $15.7B, up 3%, raises guidance slightly

T-Mobile US reported Q2 service revenues of $15.7 billion, up 3% year-over-year, and Postpaid service revenues of $12.1 billion, up 5% year-over-year. Net income was $2.2 billion and diluted earnings per share was $1.86 , up $1.95 year-over-year.

In addition, the company raised its guidance for Core Adjusted EBITDA, which is now expected to be between $28.9 billion and $29.2 billion, an increase from prior guidance of $28.8 billion to $29.2 billion.

“If you were wondering how T-Mobile would perform if growth in our category moderated, I think you’ll find the answer in our latest results — including our best Q2 postpaid phone net adds in eight years, the lowest postpaid phone churn in the industry for the first-time ever, and industry-leading financial growth,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “We’ve set audacious goals and delivered a durable and differentiated plan that is working just as we said it would. And now, fueled by our unique growth opportunities, the momentum of our latest Un-carrier moves, and an unquenchable desire to be the very best at delivering for customers, we are the one to watch — with no plans to slow down.”

Some highlights:

• Postpaid net account additions of 299 thousand decreased 81 thousand year-over-year, reflecting continued industry-leading share of net account additions in an environment of moderating industry growth and fewer High Speed Internet only net account additions.
• Postpaid net customer additions of 1.6 million decreased 95 thousand year-over-year.
• Postpaid phone net customer additions of 760 thousand increased 37 thousand year-over-year, driven by an increase in postpaid phone gross additions and churn improvement. Postpaid phone churn of 0.77% improved 3 bps year-over-year.
• Prepaid net customer additions of 124 thousand decreased 22 thousand year-over-year, and Prepaid churn was 2.62%.
• High Speed Internet net customer additions of 509 thousand decreased 51 thousand year-over-year. T-Mobile ended the quarter with 3.7 million High Speed Internet customers.
• Total net customer additions of 1.7 million decreased 117 thousand year-over-year. The total customer count increased to a record high of 116.6 million.

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Meta trims CAPEX plans

In its quarterly financial report Meta disclosed plans to lower capital expenditures for full-year 2023 to be in the range of $27-30 billion, lowered from a prior estimate of $30-33 billion. 

The company said the reduced forecast is due to both cost savings, particularly on non-AI servers, as well as shifts in capital expenditures into 2024 from delays in projects and equipment deliveries rather than a reduction in overall investment plans. 

Meta also said it expects higher infrastructure-related costs next year, higher depreciation expenses, and higher operating costs from running a larger infrastructure footprint. 

https://investor.fb.com/investor-news/press-release-details/2023/Meta-Reports-Second-Quarter-2023-Results/default.aspx

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Juniper posts sales of $1.43B, better than expected results

 Juniper Networks reported quarterly net revenues of $1,430.1 million, an increase of 13% year-over-year and an increase of 4% sequentially. Non-GAAP operating margin was 16.9%, an increase from 13.9% in the second quarter of 2022, and an increase from 14.8% in the first quarter of 2023. Non-GAAP net income was $189.0 million, an increase of 39% year-over-year, and an increase of 21% sequentially, resulting in non-GAAP diluted net income per share of $0.58.

“We delivered better than expected results during the June quarter as our teams continued to execute well and we benefited from improved supply,” said Juniper’s CEO, Rami Rahim. “We were particularly encouraged by the momentum we experienced in our Enterprise business, which not only had a record quarter, but also represented both our largest and fastest growing vertical for a third consecutive quarter. Our Mist AI platform continues to win in the market, driving record revenue for our wireless, wired switching and SD-WAN offerings, along with a record number of full-stack wins, in the Q2 period. While we are currently facing some near-term order weakness from our Cloud and to a lesser degree our Service Provider customers, we remain confident in our ability to deliver long-term growth based on continued Enterprise momentum and our expectations for an eventual recovery in our Cloud business.”

“We delivered another quarter of improved profitability in Q2, as non-GAAP gross and operating margin both exceeded the mid-point of our guidance, which enabled us to achieve non-GAAP EPS toward the high-end of our outlook,” said Juniper’s CFO, Ken Miller. “While we expect revenue to be challenged over the next few quarters, we remain committed to delivering greater than 100 basis points of non-GAAP operating margin expansion in 2023.”

https://investor.juniper.net/investor-relations/financial-reports/default.aspx

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Global Telco AI Alliance gets underway

A new Global Telco AI Alliance backed by SK Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, e& and Singtel aims to transform the existing telco business and create new business opportunities with AI services.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Seoul, the four carriers agreed to jointly develop a Telco AI Platform to serve as the core foundation for new AI services, including those designed to improve the existing telco services, digital assistants, and super apps that offer a wide range of services.  The four telcos also plan to support each other in operating AI services and apps in their respective markets and cooperate to build an ecosystem. 

"In order to make the most of the possibilities of generative AI for our customers and our industry, we want to develop industry-specific applications in the Global Telco AI Alliance. I am particularly pleased that this alliance also stands for bridging the gap between Europe and Asia and that we are jointly pursuing an open-vendor approach. Depending on the application, we can use the best technology. The founding of this alliance is an important milestone for our industry,” said Claudia Nemat, Board Member Technology and Innovation at Deutsche Telekom. 

https://www.telekom.com/en/media/media-information/archive/global-telco-ai-alliance-founded-1045156

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AT&T sets sights on profitable 5G and fiber customers, cost cutting

 AT&T posted Q2 revenues of $29.9 billion, up 0.9% year over year, and operating income of $6.4 billion, up 29.3% year over year. Communications Q2  revenues were $28.8 billion, up 0.5% year over year due to increases in Mobility and Consumer Wireline, which more than offset a decline in Business Wireline. Operating income was $7.2 billion, up 7.4% year over year, with operating income margin of 24.9%.

“The direction we set three years ago is sound, and we’re on the right trajectory. Compared to last year, Mobility service and broadband revenues are up, Adjusted EBITDA is up, free cash flow is up, Mobility and Consumer Wireline margins are up and customer lifetime values are up,” said John Stankey, AT&T CEO. “We’re focused on growing the right way, adding profitable 5G and fiber customers. We are also committing to an incremental $2 billion-plus in cost savings beyond the $6 billion we have accomplished over this period, reflecting our continued march to operating the company in a more focused and streamlined fashion. Our results give us full confidence in delivering our full-year financial guidance.”

Some highlights

• Mobility revenues were up 2.0% year over year to $20.3 billion due to higher service revenues, partially offset by lower equipment revenues. Service revenues were $15.7 billion, up 4.9% year over year, primarily driven by subscriber and postpaid ARPU growth. Equipment revenues were $4.6 billion, down 7.2% year over year, driven by lower volumes.
• Delivered 326,000 postpaid phone net adds with continued strong ARPU growth and historically low levels of churn
• Consumer wireline revenues were $3.3 billion, up 2.4% year over year due to gains in broadband more than offsetting declines in legacy voice and data and other services. Broadband revenues increased 7.0% due to fiber growth of 28.0%, partly offset by a 13.7% decline in non-fiber revenues.
• Total broadband net losses, excluding DSL, were 35,000, reflecting AT&T Fiber net adds of 251,000, more than offset by losses in non-fiber services. AT&T Fiber now has the ability to serve 20.2 million customer locations and offers symmetrical, multi-gig speeds across parts of its entire footprint of more than 100 metro areas.
• Latin America - Mexico revenues were $967 million, up 19.7% year over year due to growth in both service and equipment revenues. Service revenues were $635 million, up 18.9% year over year, driven by favorable foreign exchange, higher wholesale revenues and growth in subscribers. Equipment revenues were $332 million, up 21.2% year over year due to favorable foreign exchange and higher sales.

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Verizon posts Q2 wireless service revenue growth and cash flow

Verizon reported total operating revenue of $32.6 billion, a decrease of 3.5 percent from second-quarter 2022, however, total wireless service revenue grew 3.8 percent to $19.1 billion. Net income was $4.8 billion, a decrease of 10.3 percent from second-quarter 2022, and consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $12.0 billion, up 0.8 percent year over year.

Some highlights

Total Broadband:

• Total broadband net additions of 418,000, reflecting a strong demand for fixed wireless and Fios products. This result included 384,000 fixed wireless net additions, an increase from 256,000 fixed wireless net additions in second-quarter 2022. This is the third consecutive quarter that Verizon reported more than 400,000 broadband net additions. Verizon now has nearly 2.3 million subscribers on its fixed wireless service. 
• 54,000 Fios Internet net additions, an increase from 36,000 Fios Internet net additions in second-quarter 2022. 

Total Wireless: 

• Total wireless service revenue3 of $19.1 billion, a 3.8 percent increase year over year.
• Postpaid phone net additions of 8,000, and retail postpaid net additions of 612,000. Total wireless postpaid phone gross additions increased 2.0 percent year over year, primarily driven by a 6.9 percent year over year growth in Consumer postpaid phone gross additions.
• Total retail postpaid churn of 1.07 percent, and retail postpaid phone churn of 0.83 percent.
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"In the second quarter, we showed progress in our key priorities of growing wireless service revenue, delivering healthy consolidated adjusted EBITDA, and increasing free cash flow," said Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg. "We look forward to extending our network leadership in the second half of the year by continuing our rapid C-Band deployment as we are laser focused on providing value to our customers. The steps that we have taken to improve our operational performance are working, and we are confident that we will achieve our financial targets for the full year."

• Total Verizon Business revenue was $7.5 billion in second-quarter 2023, a decrease of 1.9 percent year over year. Growth in wireless service revenue was more than offset by lower wireline revenue and lower wireless equipment revenue.
• Business wireless service revenue was $3.4 billion, an increase of 5.3 percent year over year. This growth was driven by continued strong net additions and pricing actions implemented in recent quarters. 
• Business reported 308,000 wireless retail postpaid net additions in second-quarter 2023, including 144,000 postpaid phone net additions. This was the eighth consecutive quarter that Business reported more than 125,000 postpaid phone net additions. 

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/strong-wireless-service-revenue-growth-and-cash-flow-highlight-verizons-2q-results

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Orange group revenues climbed 2.6% in Q2

Orange Group revenues in Q2 reached EUR 10,926 billion, up 2.6% over a year earlier.

Some highlights:

• Accelerated revenue growth in the quarter was driven by the performance of retail services[3], which benefited from price increases. Retail services rose 4.3% in 2Q (+3.6% in 1H) and more than offset the continued decline in revenues from wholesale services, which fell 4.1% in 2Q (-5.9% in 1H). Equipment sales again recorded strong growth in 2Q with an 8% increase (+8.8% in 1H).
• France decreased 1.3% in 2Q (-1.5% in 1H), with the accelerated growth in retail services of 3.4% excluding PSTN unable to offset the anticipated decline in wholesale services revenues. Recent price increases will, however, yield results in the second half of the year.
• Europe grew 2.7% in 2Q (+3.3% in 1H), driven by Spain, which confirmed its recovery with an increase of 2.1%, and solid performances from Poland (+5.5%) and Belgium & Luxembourg (+3.0%).
• Africa & Middle East continued to post very strong growth rising 12.0% in 2Q (+10.5% in 1H) with double-digit increases across all growth engines (mobile data, fixed broadband, Orange Money, B2B).
• The Enterprise sector grew 2.4% in 2Q (+0.8% in 1H) as a result of revenues from IT & Integration services and Mobile, which more than offset the structural decline in the Voice and Data legacy businesses.

“Our first-half results are in line with our objectives for 2023. They confirm the relevance of the implementation process initiated in the context of our 'Lead the Future' strategic plan and provide confidence for the achievement of our 2025 objectives. In Europe and in France, our quarterly results in retail services show the positive momentum of our value strategy, underpinned by price increases the benefits of which in France will be fully visible in the second half of the year. We can also confirm the continuing recovery in Spain, where EBITDAaL rose by 11% in this first half. The excellent performance in Africa and the Middle East is down to our investments in the network, the satisfaction of our customers and the very strong rebound of Orange Money. These results offset those of Orange Business, whose EBITDAaL was still sharply lower despite a 2.4% increase in revenues in the second quarter. Our teams are fully focused on executing our transformation plan there,” stated Christel Heydemann, Chief Executive Officer of the Orange group.

https://newsroom.orange.com/accelerating/?lang=en

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Ribbon posts Q2 revenue of $211 million, rising IP Optical sales

Ribbon Communications Inc. reported revenue for the second quarter of 2023 of $211 million, compared to $206 million for the second quarter of 2022 and $186 million for the first quarter of 2023.

• International represented 53% of sales
• Enterprise represented 32% of product sales

"Ribbon delivered solid results in the second quarter with sequential and year-over-year growth in both revenue and earnings. IP Optical Networks continued to build momentum with sales increasing 24% versus the same period in 2022, extending the trend of double-digit growth for the fourth consecutive quarter. Shipments to India continued to grow, and our cross-sell strategy resulted in strong growth in North America and Japan. Sales of our Cloud & Edge communications products to Enterprise customers grew 94% year over year, including a new strategic U.S. Federal agency win supporting modernization of critical voice communications," stated Bruce McClelland, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ribbon Communications. "We continue to anticipate a stronger second half and are maintaining our full year guidance range for 2023, but, due to the overall projected mix, Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be towards the lower half of our $95-110M range, a significant 50% improvement vs. 2022."

For the third quarter of 2023, the company projects revenue of $215 million to $225 million, Non-GAAP gross margin is projected in a range of 51.5% to 52.5%, and Adjusted EBITDA is projected in a range of $26 million to $32 million.

https://investors.ribboncommunications.com/static-files/d8e7d833-7d41-4feb-a215-67af3b90432a

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MaxLinear posts sales of $183.9 million in Q2, cancels Silicon Motion merger

MaxLinear reported Q2 net revenue of $183.9 million, down 26% sequentially and down 34% year-over-year.

GAAP gross margin was 55.9%, compared to 56.5% in the prior quarter, and 58.7% in the year-ago quarter.  GAAP diluted loss per share was $0.05, compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.12 in the prior quarter, and diluted earnings per share of $0.40 in the year-ago quarter. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.34, compared to $0.74 in the prior quarter, and $1.11 in the year-ago quarter.

“Even as we navigate a challenging demand environment with fiscal discipline and operational efficiency, our solid execution and innovative product offerings are enabling us to maximize strategic business opportunities across all our end markets. In 2023, we continue to lay important groundwork in Wi-Fi, fiber broadband access gateways, and wireless and optical datacenter network infrastructure, which will be the foundation for our growth throughout 2024,” commented Kishore Seendripu, Ph.D., Chairman and CEO.

In addition, MaxLinear announced its decision to terminate its pending merger agreement with Silicon Motion. 

https://investors.maxlinear.com/news-events

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NETGEAR posts Q2 net revenue of $173.4 million, looks forward to WiFi 7

NETGEAR posted second quarter 2023 net revenue of $173.4 million, a decrease of 22.3% from the comparable prior-year quarter, however the company says the results are above the high end of previously issued guidance. There was a second quarter 2023 non-GAAP net loss per diluted share of $0.16, as compared to net loss per diluted share of $0.19 in the comparable prior-year quarter.

Patrick Lo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NETGEAR, commented, “In the second quarter, NETGEAR delivered revenue of $173.4 million, above the high end of our guidance, and non-GAAP operating margin at the high end of our guidance. Sales to our service provider partners outperformed our original expectations and appear to be stabilizing due to increased demand as well as improved inventory carrying levels held by our largest partner. More importantly, momentum behind our premium CHP products, represented by our Orbi 8 and Orbi 9 and 5G mobile hotspots, again materially outperformed the broader market. As expected, CHP retail partners continued to reduce their inventory levels, but we believe the market is starting to stabilize. In the SMB business, while we continue to be challenged by channel inventory compression to historically low levels as partners navigate through the uncertain macroeconomic environment, overall end user demand growth for our SMB products remained strong. Our ProAV managed switch products continued to impress, with end user sales growing 44% year over year.”

Mr. Lo continued, “We are excited about the imminent launch of WiFi 7 and stand ready with a number of compelling new product introductions, across both the Orbi and Nighthawk brands. The innovation is just as robust in the SMB business – as we are adding support for video broadcasting protocol SMPTE 2110 with the introduction of our M4350 line of our Pro AV managed switch products. Demand is also growing for our comprehensive Armor security service as we reached 804,000 total paid subscribers in the quarter and we are on track to reach 875,000 paid subscribers by year’s end.” 

https://www.netgear.com

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A10 Networks reports s of $65.8M, encouraging signs for 2H2023

A10 Networks reported Q2 revenue of $65.8 million, up 14.1% sequentially from Q1 and in-line with expectations. Non-GAAP net income was $14.5 million, or $0.19 per diluted share (non-GAAP EPS), compared with non-GAAP net income of $13.4 million, or $0.17 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2022.

The second quarter results demonstrated sequential improvements consistent with our expectations and our continued focus on our business model,” said Dhrupad Trivedi, President and Chief Executive Officer of A10 Networks. “Spending from large enterprises and tier-one service providers in North America remains volatile, but we are seeing encouraging signs, particularly for security solutions, that support our confidence for continuing improvements in the second half of the year.”

“A10 remains solidly profitable, with earnings per share exceeding last year’s levels even on slightly lower revenue, demonstrating our systemic profitability and the focus on our business model,” continued Trivedi. “For the first six months of 2023, our Adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 248 basis points to a record 26.6%, compared to 24.1% last year. We continue to balance profitability and growth as we navigate headwinds.”

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Rakuten Mobile Selects Oracle Policy and Charging

Rakuten Mobile has chosen Oracle Communications' cloud native converged policy and charging solutions to support its4G and 5G services, with plans to onboard to Rakuten Symphony's Symworld™ Marketplace. 

These solutions will run on Rakuten Symphony's Symcloud Cloud Native Platform (CNP) and will help execute on the operator's vision for an automated, high-performance architecture that easily scales to support consumer and business use cases across industries.

"Partnering with Oracle ensures that we are delivering on Rakuten Mobile's top priorities of maintaining the highest service quality levels and customer experience on our fully virtualized, cloud native, mobile network. Oracle's policy and charging solutions position us to rapidly launch innovative offerings to meet new customer demands, including new data and voice service plans for enterprise and individual customers," said Tareq Amin, Co-CEO of Rakuten Mobile and CEO of Rakuten Symphony. "The new collaboration is in-line with our commitment to extend our Symcloud validation and support for the BSS/OSS ecosystem players. It also allows us to easily onboard the Oracle solutions on Symcloud Cloud Native Platform (CNP) as a first step to potentially offering rapid and simplified deployment of these industry-leading services to global telco customers in the future."

"In five short years, Rakuten Mobile has earned the well-deserved reputation of global technology disruptor with its bold vision to embrace a fully cloud native network, a common cloud platform, and autonomous operations," said Jason Rutherford, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Communications, Applications. "Deploying Oracle's converged policy and charging technologies will help empower more intelligent policy decisions and shorten the runway to quickly test, launch, and monetize new services."

https://corp.mobile.rakuten.co.jp/english/

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Broadband Forum enables containerized apps on CPE

Broadband Forum is launching significant upgrades to USP 1.3 and TR-181 Device 2.16. 

The new features establish a standardized, interoperable method for deploying and supporting value-added applications in a containerized framework. 

The features can be used on all broadband subscriber connected devices, including Wi-Fi routers, set-top boxes, and smart home hubs.

Potentially, ISPs could use the capabilities to manage individual smart home applications separately and without the need for complicated firmware updates.

"With these upgrades, we are reimagining the potential of broadband services, paving the way for service providers to introduce next-generation applications and services with unparalleled ease, without the need for monolithic firmware upgrades," said John Blackford, Broadband Forum Chairman and Broadband User Services (BUS) Work Area Co-Director. "Our commitment is to provide an ecosystem that delivers the enhanced and diversified services that end-users now expect."

Previously, a device software upgrade would have been needed for services to be installed. But in a container framework, applications can be separated from the device’s operating system and managed dynamically within secure and trusted software containers. In turn, this means that the lifecycle of the application can be managed by the service provider using the remote device management protocol USP 1.3.

“These latest publications from Broadband Forum will open up an array of possibilities for service providers, enabling them to unlock the full potential of their infrastructure and deliver groundbreaking value-added services,” said prpl Foundation President Len Dauphinee. “Service providers will now have improved capacity to control and manage connected devices in the customer premises, allowing increased customer engagement and service personalization.”

Developed by the Broadband Forum, USP has transformed device management and customer support in the broadband industry, offering real-time device data and control for service providers.

https://www.broadband-forum.org

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Microsoft post 26% growth in Azure and other cloud services

Microsoft reported revenue of $56.2 billion for the quarter ending 30-June-2023, up 8% (up 10% in constant currency) compared to a year earlier. Net income was $20.1 billion, up increased 20% (up 23% in constant currency).

“Organizations are asking not only how – but how fast – they can apply this next generation of AI to address the biggest opportunities and challenges they face – safely and responsibly,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft. “We remain focused on leading the new AI platform shift, helping customers use the Microsoft Cloud to get the most value out of their digital spend, and driving operating leverage.”

“We delivered a solid close to the fiscal year driven by Microsoft Cloud quarterly revenue of $30.3 billion, up 21% (up 23% in constant currency) year-over-year,” said Amy Hood, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Microsoft.

Highlights

Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $18.3 billion and increased 10% (up 12% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Office Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 12% (up 14% in constant currency) driven by Office 365 Commercial revenue growth of 15% (up 17% in constant currency)
• Office Consumer products and cloud services revenue increased 3% (up 6% in constant currency) and Microsoft 365 Consumer subscribers grew to 67.0 million
• LinkedIn revenue increased 5% (up 7% in constant currency)
• Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased 19% (up 21% in constant currency) driven by Dynamics 365 revenue growth of 26% (up 28% in constant currency)

Revenue in Intelligent Cloud was $24.0 billion and increased 15% (up 17% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• ·Server products and cloud services revenue increased 17% (up 18% in constant currency) driven by Azure and other cloud services revenue growth of 26% (up 27% in constant currency)

Revenue in More Personal Computing was $13.9 billion and decreased 4% (down 3% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

• Windows OEM revenue decreased 12%
• Devices revenue decreased 20% (down 18% in constant currency)
• Windows Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 2% (up 3% in constant currency)
• Xbox content and services revenue increased 5% (up 6% in constant currency)
• Search and news advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 8%

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Google Cloud revenue rises 28% to $8.03 billion

In its quarterly report, Alphabet reported that Google Cloud generated revenue of $8.031 billion for the quarter, up 28% compared to $6.276 billion a year ago.

The company also noted that it has completed an assessment of the useful lives of its servers and network equipment and adjusted the estimated useful life of this equipment from four years to six years and the estimated useful life of certain network equipment from five years to six years. This change in accounting estimate was effective beginning in fiscal year 2023, and the effect was a reduction in depreciation expense of $966 million and $2.0 billion and an increase in net income of $752 million and $1.5 billion, or $0.06 and $0.12 per basic and $0.06 and $0.12 per diluted share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively.

https://www.abc.xyz/assets/20/ef/844a05b84b6f9dbf2c3592e7d9c7/2023q2-alphabet-earnings-release.pdf

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Corning reports lower Q2 optical sales due to near-term dip

Corning reported Q2 GAAP sales of $3.2 billion, up 2% sequentially. Core sales were $3.5 billion, up 3% sequentially, driven by Display Technologies. GAAP and core sales were down year over year, reflecting continued lower demand in several markets.  Second-quarter GAAP EPS was $0.33, up 65% sequentially. 

In Optical Communications, sales were $1.07 billion, down 5% sequentially and 19% year over year, due to lower volume. The company said near-term demand for passive optical network products remains weak. Net income for Optical Communications was $140 million, down 12% sequentially and 23% year over year; the impact of lower volume was moderated by productivity improvements.

Wendell P. Weeks, chairman and chief executive officer, said, “Corning’s second-quarter results reflect progress on our comprehensive plan to improve profitability and cash flow – even in the current weak end-market environment. As expected, core gross margin expanded 1 percentage point sequentially, and has grown more than 2 percentage points since the beginning of the year. We also improved free cash flow to $310 million.”

Ed Schlesinger, executive vice president and chief financial officer, said, “In the second quarter, sales grew 3% sequentially as higher sales in Display Technologies more than offset a decline in Optical Communications. We executed well on our comprehensive plan to improve profitability and cash flow. Core operating income increased 16% sequentially, and free cash flow grew to $310 million.

https://investor.corning.com/investor-relations/default.aspx

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Intel to manufacture 5G SoC for Ericsson on 18A process

Ericsson has selected Intel’s 18A process and foundry service for its next-generation optimized 5G silicon.

18A is Intel's most advanced node on the company's five-nodes-in-four-years roadmap. After new gate-all-around transistor architecture – known as RibbonFET – and backside power delivery – called PowerVia – appear first in Intel 20A, Intel will deliver ribbon architecture innovation and increased performance along with continued metal linewidth reduction in 18A.

Under the agreement, Intel will manufacture custom 5G SoCs (system-on-chip) for Ericsson to create highly differentiated leadership products for future 5G infrastructure. Additionally, the companies will expand their collaboration to optimize 4th Gen Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors with Intel® vRAN Boost for Ericsson’s Cloud RAN (radio access network) solutions to help communications service providers increase network capacity and energy efficiency while gaining greater flexibility and scalability.

“As our work together evolves, this is a significant milestone with Ericsson to partner broadly on their next-generation optimized 5G infrastructure. This agreement exemplifies our shared vision to innovate and transform network connectivity, and it reinforces the growing customer confidence in our process and manufacturing technology,” said Sachin Katti, senior vice president and general manager of the Network and Edge group at Intel. “We look forward to working together with Ericsson, an industry leader, to build networks that are open, reliable and ready for the future.”

“Ericsson has a long history of close collaboration with Intel, and we are pleased to expand this further as we utilize Intel to manufacture our future custom 5G SoCs on their 18A process node, which is in line with Ericsson’s long-term strategy for a more resilient and sustainable supply chain,” said Fredrik Jejdling, executive vice president and head of Networks at Ericsson. “In addition, we will be expanding our collaboration that we announced at MWC 2023 to work together with the ecosystem to accelerate industry-scale open RAN utilizing standard Intel Xeon-based platforms.”

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Dell’Oro: Microwave transmission equipment sales continue to grow

The cumulative revenue for Microwave Transmission equipment in the next five years is forecast to be $18 billion, which is 12 percent higher than the revenue achieved in the last five years, according to a recent report from Dell’Oro Group.

“Demand for Microwave Transmission gear is on the upswing,” said Jimmy Yu, Vice President of Dell’Oro Group. “The growing number of 5G rollouts occurring globally is feeding the need for more wireless mobile backhaul. This is especially true for E-band systems since they were designed to efficiently transmit multiple gigabits of bandwidth. Hence, we are projecting shipments of E-band radios to grow at a 22 percent CAGR for the next five years,” added Yu.

Additional highlights from the Microwave Transmission & Mobile Backhaul 5-Year Forecast July 2023 Report:

• Demand for mobile backhaul equipment, consisting of both wireless and fiber systems, to be used in 5G networks is forecast to grow at a five-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 20 percent.
• The Microwave Transmission market is projected to peak in 2025 as the rate of growth in 5G deployments begins to slow the following year. Annual shipments are expected to reach a height of 1.8 million at that time.
• We increased our forecast for Packet Microwave and the Asia Pacific region due to greater demand in India.

https://www.delloro.com/news/18-billion-microwave-transmission-equipment-revenue-over-next-five-years/

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