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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