euNetworks delivers long-haul backbone for Inter.link’s NaaS

euNetworks will provide long haul capacity to Inter.link GmbH, a global Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) and internet connectivity provider.

Under the multi-year deal, euNetworks has delivered long haul connectivity covering Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, the UK and Ireland, as well as metro Dark Fibre in Berlin, Frankfurt and Vienna. This infrastructure delivery - Inter.link’s core backbone in Europe - includes Inter.link measuring the associated carbon impact of euNetworks’ services, supporting Inter.link’s commitment to building a sustainable and automated connectivity platform internationally.

Inter.link is scaling up its network infrastructure by adding  26 new European points of presence.

“We’re delighted to be expanding our relationship with Inter.link and supporting the team as they move forward with their exciting growth plans,” said Paula Cogan, Chief Executive Officer of euNetworks. “We value the trust Inter.link has put in euNetworks and the close alignment and commitment both companies have to the sustainable growth of the European bandwidth market. We look forward to developing this partnership to enable and support Inter.link’s customers as their bandwidth needs grow, and their sustainability strategies develop.”

“It is an exciting growth phase here at Inter.link as we build our global platform for delivery of automated connectivity solutions,” said Theo Voss, CEO & Co-Founder of Inter.link. “We needed to work with a backbone provider who is committed to and actively investing in Europe’s future critical infrastructure, offers a unique solution in the market, has a strong track record in best-in-class service delivery and demonstrates alignment to our ESG values. euNetworks consistently delivers in all those areas and is the only bandwidth infrastructure provider able to deliver measured carbon impacts on network projects and their services. We look forward to collaborating further as we move forward with our connectivity plans.”

https://eunetworks.com/

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Infrantil to acquire 80% stake in Console Connect

Infratil acquire an 80% stake in Console Connect, which is a subsidiary of HKT Limited, a leading telecommunications company in Hong Kong, for US$160 million.

Console Connect is a top-3 global software-defined interconnection platform offering next-generation automated connectivity solutions. The Console Connect platform makes connecting to data centres, partners, clouds, and other applications simple and secure, with fully automated switching and routing.

Console Connect has been a top 10 Tier 1 network globally for the last 5 years, serving ~17% of all internet traffic and reaching over 150 countries. Integration with an owned Tier 1 IP network, as well as long-term integrated access to a global backbone network, provides a clear point of differentiation for Console Connect given its extensive network coverage and superior unit economics.

Infratil will also enter into a strategic partnership with HKT, with both jointly investing up to US$295 million over a 2-year period following completion of the acquisition to accelerate Console Connect’s growth through:

• Joint sales and marketing via an HKT-supported approach to offer critical fibre infrastructure and IP access to its existing and new enterprise & wholesale customers.
• Investment in new subsea cable systems and network development to increase Console Connect’s network capacity, resiliency, and reach.

Infratil CEO, Jason Boyes, said the investment in Console Connect builds Infratil’s presence in Asia and is complementary to its digital infrastructure investments globally, which include CDC Data Centres, One NZ, Kao Data in the United Kingdom, and Clearvision Ventures in the US.

“Console Connect is a leading global software-defined interconnection platform, and this acquisition is a continuation of our conviction in the tailwinds of the digital infrastructure sector. It enables us to invest in building a next generation platform to support underlying growth in the demand for digital infrastructure and global connectivity solutions by enterprise and wholesale users”.

HKT’s Group Managing Director, Susanna Hui, said: “Over the past few years, the team at Console Connect has successfully developed it into a world leading platform. We are pleased to have found a like-minded partner in Infratil who is excited about the potential opportunities to continue growing Console Connect. Our partnership around Console Connect, investing in the platform as a standalone operation, will deliver material benefits to the business as well as to HKT shareholders through unlocking value and further developing economies of scale.”

https://www.consoleconnect.com

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Arrcus adds financial backing from Hitachi Ventures

Arrcus, a hyperscale networking software start-up based in San Jose, California, announced a significant new investment from Hitachi Ventures in an additional closing of its Series D funding round. 

Hitachi Ventures' investment will bolster Arrcus' mission to revolutionize the networking industry through innovative software-driven solutions. With increasing adoption of Arrcus routing and switching solutions by Fortune 500 and Global 2000 customers, Arrcus and Hitachi Ventures are excited about the potential for creating complementary solutions for enterprise and service provider customers.

"We are thrilled to welcome Hitachi Ventures as our latest investor into our Series D and value this partnership. Hitachi Ventures’ deep industry expertise and reach will strengthen our position as a leading provider of software-driven networking solutions," said Shekar Ayyar, chairman and CEO of Arrcus. "This investment further validates our innovative technology and signifies the immense market potential for which we are staking a claim."

Hitachi Ventures brings an exceptional track record of successful investments in cutting-edge technology companies and a wealth of knowledge in enabling digital transformations across various industries. The partnership helps solidify Arrcus’ position as a foundational infrastructure provider to leading corporations, paving the way for future growth and expansion.

https://www.arrcus.com

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Oklahoma’s KAMO Power deploys Infinera’s XTM

KAMO Electric Cooperative (KAMO Power) is deploying Infinera’s XTM Series on its 2,700-route-mile rural network to serve its 17 member cooperatives across northeast Oklahoma and southwest Missouri. 

Infinera said the KAMO Power XTM Series deployment flexibly supports both legacy services and modern Ethernet-based services over a 100G-enabled flexible-grid ROADM-based network. Leveraging an open optical architecture, KAMO Power can seamlessly scale its network to support 400G transmission speeds and beyond to meet future capacity needs while also supporting third-party wavelengths if required. The deployment also utilizes the disaggregated architecture of the XTM Series to provide a highly flexible yet compact network design with low power consumption.

“As Infinera’s channel partner in this KAMO Power deployment, BlueAlly complements the Infinera XTM Series solution with additional IP solutions and an extensive service offering covering all aspects of the network,” said Maria Will, SVP, Telecom and Broadband at BlueAlly. “With initial network design expertise and a combination of pre-staging, installation, and commissioning services, BlueAlly is able to quickly and seamlessly bring KAMO Power an outstanding rural broadband network with minimal impact to their existing network operations.”

“Infinera’s XTM Series is ideal for rural broadband networks, delivering reliable and cost-effective network connectivity that can scale to meet demand, which is critical for cooperatives like KAMO Power,” said Nick Walden, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales, Infinera. “With Infinera’s XTM solution, KAMO Power can offer a wider range of capacity and provide new services to its cooperative members.”

www.infinera.com

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Philip Jansen to step down as CEO of BT

Philip Jansen announced his intention to step down as CEO of BT at an appropriate time within the next 12 months.

BT’s board of directors has begun the search for his replacement.

Philip Jansen, Group Chief Executive said: “We’ve made a lot of progress over the last four and half years and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved to date. We’re investing heavily in both BT’s and the UK’s future. We’re building like fury, have now passed over 11m homes with fibre, have got 5G service to 68% of the country and our customer service is much improved. This is creating a much stronger BT Group which is starting to drive growth for both investors and the UK. But there’s a lot more to do and I am fully committed to driving the business forward until I hand over to my successor.”

https://newsroom.bt.com/chief-executive-succession-process/

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Mitsubishi Heavy acquires Concentric for DC power infrastructure

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has acquired Concentric, a provider of industrial power solutions in North America. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Dr. Hitoshi Kaguchi, Senior Executive Vice President at MHI said: "We are delighted to add Concentric to our growing portfolio for Smart Infrastructure Solutions. Combining MHI's technology capabilities with an experienced national service provider immediately benefits facilities across North America, and provides us with a platform to serve the globe. All facilities from data centers to logistics and manufacturing factories must be able to maintain sustainable, uninterruptible power in order to remain competitive in the 21st century."

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Carrolton, Texas, Concentric provides critical power systems for data centers, telecommunications, utilities, and commercial facilities, as well as motive power solutions for electric forklifts, automated guided vehicles, and airline ground support equipment.

John Winter, Chief Operating Officer at Concentric said: "We have spent the last two decades building no-interruption power and equipment services for material handling and critical power customers across North America. Joining the MHI group accelerates Concentric's mission to bring sustainable, proactive power systems and maintenance to facility leaders nationwide. Our forklift power customers have been converging towards energy storage for years. MHI's capabilities, including their cooling technologies and zero emission power generation systems, ensure our team is ready to serve their needs and achieve growth across the data center market. We have a shared vision to build the most advanced, clean and efficient power solutions."

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