Digital Realty and Blackstone enter $7B partnership for Data Centers

Digital Realty is forming a joint venture with Blackstone to develop four hyperscale data center campuses across three metro areas in Europe and the United States.  

The four hyperscale data center campuses are located in Frankfurt, Paris and Northern Virginia.  The companies estimate development costs of approximately $7 billion over the course of the next several years.  

The campuses are planned to support the construction of 10 data centers with approximately 500 MW of potential IT load capacity.  Of this capacity, 46 MW is under construction and is 33% pre-leased.  The remaining land capacity is in varying phases of pre-construction and is expected to be developed to meet customer demand.  Approximately 20% of the total potential IT load capacity is expected to be delivered through 2025, with the balance expected to be delivered in 2026 and beyond. 

Blackstone will acquire an 80% ownership interest in the joint venture for approximately $700 million of initial capital contributions, while Digital Realty will maintain a 20% interest.  Subsequent to closing, the joint venture parties will fund their pro rata share of the remaining development costs.  Digital Realty will manage the development and day-to-day operations of the joint venture, for which it will receive customary fees.

"By partnering with Blackstone, the world's largest alternative asset manager, Digital Realty is better able to deliver capacity to meet the burgeoning demand of our hyperscale customers, by accessing a deep pool of likeminded private capital," said Andy Power, President and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty.  "Digital Realty is focused on executing on the sizable opportunity that lies ahead and this partnership helps to accelerate the monetization of nearly 20% of our industry-leading land bank."

Greg Wright, Chief Investment Officer of Digital Realty, added, "Partnering with Blackstone marks the culmination of a record year of capital recycling and aptly reflects the shift in our funding strategy, to diversify our sources of capital and bolster our balance sheet in order to capitalize on the significant opportunity that lies ahead."

https://investor.digitalrealty.com/news/news-details/2023/Digital-Realty-and-Blackstone-Announce-7-Billion-Hyperscale-Data-Center-Development-Joint-Venture/default.aspx

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Coherent intros 800G ZR/ZR+ QSFP-DD transceivers

Coherent Corp. unveiled its 800G ZR/ZR+ transceiver in ultracompact QSFP-DD and OSFP form factors.

The 800G ZR/ZR+ transceivers leverage digital coherent optics (DCO) and can plug directly into QSFP-DD and OSFP transceiver slots on IP routers. Leveraging their high output power of 0 dBm, these transceivers can connect routers directly to access, metro, and regional DWDM transport networks without additional intermediary interfaces.

“This 800G ZR/ZR+ pluggable transceiver is built on the 140 GBaud IC-TROSA that we introduced at ECOC in September 2023, which was also an industry first,” said Matthias Berger, Vice President, Coherent Technology. “We continue to advance the state of the art of optical transmission in core networks by leveraging the inherent capabilities of our indium phosphide technology platform. Indium phosphide photonic integrated circuits are differentiated by their high output power in combination with high performance, which enables disruptive use cases such as IP-over-DWDM in metro networks.”

“We demonstrated the new transceiver with 800G 16QAM for metro/regional transmission and with 400G 8QAM for long-haul transmission,” said Dr. Beck Mason, Executive Vice President, Telecommunications. “The module is designed to support multiple modulation formats including QPSK, 8QAM and 16QAM, and multiple data rates between 200 Gbps and 800 Gbps. This 800G transceiver features a high-efficiency indium phosphide modulator and receiver combined with a built-in tunable laser that delivers best-in-class transmission performance and high optical output power.”

Alpha samples of the 800G QSFP-DD DCO ZR/ZR+ transceivers will be available in the first quarter of calendar 2024. 

https://www.coherent.com/news/press-releases/coherent-unveils-industry-first-800g-zrzr-transceiver?utm_campaign=communications&utm_source=facebook,twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=800G_transceiver

ECOC23: Coherent unveils 140 GBaud optical subassembly for 800G

Wednesday, October 04, 2023    

Coherent unveiled  its 140 GBaud integrated coherent transmitter-receiver optical subassembly (IC-TROSA), the industry’s first to enable 800G QSFP-DD and OSFP digital coherent optics (DCO) pluggable transceivers for high-speed datacenter interconnects and metro networks. The IC‑TROSA is a highly integrated coherent optics subassembly with embedded optical amplification that can deliver high transmitter output power with low power dissipation,...

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Sivers Photonics develops narrow-linewidth tunable lasers

Sivers Photonics has commenced a new partnership with LioniX International and Chilas B.V. to develop and supply a narrow-linewidth integrated O-Band CW Tunable 1310nm laser targeting high growth applications across optical communications and optical sensing sectors.

LioniX , based in Netherlands, is a provider of customised microsystem solutions specialising in silicon nitride photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and MEMS, with expertise covering chip fabrication, electro-optical system architecture, and module assembly and packaging.  Lionix have introduced the highly sought after laser to meet the growing demand for O-Band solutions for use by OEMs, advanced laboratories, and industrial sensor manufacturers innovating in the communications (passive optical networks, fiber optic communications), LiDAR, and molecular analysis markets.

Sivers Photonics has developed an advanced customised optical amplifier component on its InP100 product platform to efficiently power this integrated laser solution and will supply this part as standard to the LioniX platform. The end-user, Chilas B.V. also based in Netherlands, will provide testing services for the assembled photonic integrated circuit, and offer this latest product worldwide as part of its diverse laser portfolio.

“This partnership with LioniX and Chilas further demonstrates Sivers Photonics RSOA gain blocks being deployed into high precision laser sources. The narrow linewidth and wide tuneability afforded by these external cavity lasers make them ideal sources for a broad range of applications including datacoms and optical sensing markets.” says Andy McKee, MD of Sivers Photonics.

“The two technology platforms of LioniX International and Sivers complement each other creating ultra narrow linewidth lasers with unprecedented performance. This collaboration between Sivers, LioniX and the end user Chilas is a great example of how the ecosystem can work together to create new applications in this wavelength domain” says Arne Leinse, CEO of LioniX International.

https://www.sivers-semiconductors.com/press/sivers-photonics-lionix-international-and-chilas-b-v-partner-to-develop-narrow-linewidth-tunable-laser-technology-for-optical-communications-and-optical-sensing-markets/

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Broadcom posts quarterly revenue of $9.295 billion, up 4% yoy

Broadcom reported revenue of $9,295 million for its fourth fiscal quarter ended October 29, 2023,  up 4 percent from the prior year period.

Non-GAAP diluted EPS amounted to $11.06 for the fourth quarter; GAAP diluted EPS of $8.25 for the fourth quarter.

"Broadcom's fiscal year 2023 revenue grew 8% year-over-year to a record $35.8 billion, driven by investments in accelerators and network connectivity for AI by hyperscalers," said Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom Inc. "The acquisition of VMware is transformational. In fiscal year 2024 we expect semiconductor to sustain its mid to high single digit revenue growth rate, with the contribution of VMware driving consolidated revenue to $50 billion, and adjusted EBITDA to $30 billion."

"In fiscal year 2023 we achieved record adjusted EBITDA margin of 65%, generating $17.6 billion in free cash flow or 49% of revenue, demonstrating our stable and diversified business model," said Kirsten Spears, CFO of Broadcom Inc. "With this transformational acquisition and expected increase in cash flows, we are increasing our quarterly common stock dividend by 14% to $5.25 per share for fiscal year 2024. The target fiscal 2024 annual common stock dividend of $21.00 per share is a record, and the thirteenth consecutive increase in annual dividends since we initiated dividends in fiscal 2011."

https://www.broadcom.com/company/news/financial-releases/61576

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Wave Photonics leads SiNQ project with Oxford Ionics

Wave Photonics, a startup based in Cambridge, UK, has been selected to lead a £500k Innovate UK feasibility study project to create photonics chips for trapped ion quantum computers. Partners in the project include Oxford Ionics, the CORNERSTONE foundry at the University of Southampton and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult.

The idea is to use precisely controlled lasers to remove one of the electrons from trapped ions to form qubits, which are then controlled at extremely low error rates using electric fields.

The SiNQ project (Silicon Nitride for Quantum Computing) will apply component design and optimisation techniques in development at Wave Photonics to design better performing devices faster to work with the multiple wavelengths of light that are needed for trapped ion quantum computers.

Wave Photonics will be building upon its core photonics design capability and software to create component designs for the huge span of wavelengths needed to readout and manipulate the trapped ions.

https://www.wavephotonics.com/news/sinq-project

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Japan plans Space-based Direct-to-Device Service

Space Compass, NTT DOCOMO, NTT and SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. selected by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) to develop direct-to-device (D2D) mobile services, which will be deployed via a space-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) using high-altitude platform stations (HAPS).

The project is part of the NICT's Innovative ICT Fund Projects for Beyond 5G/6G, known as Beyond 5G, which envisions a society where connectivity is assured over the air, sea, and space regardless of user location.

The project comprises two phases:

Early commercialization (Phase 1)

The four participating companies aim to solve various technical issues and demonstrate a communication service using HAPS positioned in the stratosphere over Japan, with the goal of accelerating the commercialization of HAPS D2D communication services.

System evolution (Phase 2)

Research and development (R&D) will be conducted on high-speed, high-capacity technology and time-division duplex (TDD) communication (downlink and uplink use same frequency band but in different time slots), aiming to expand the business scope and applicability of HAPS services in the coming 6G era. Phase 2 will also focus on upgrading the feeder link, including increasing its capacity, and installing a satellite backhaul system for flexible operation in areas where it is not possible to install terrestrial gateway stations connecting HAPS and terrestrial networks.

Space Compass, which plans to launch HAPS services in Japanese fiscal year 2025, will lead the project, define network service requirements and evaluate demonstrations conducted under the project. DOCOMO, which plans to develop a HAPS-based mobile communications business spanning air, sea and space for 5G evolution and 6G, will mainly develop ground base stations and HAPS-equipped base stations for mobile communications, focusing on maximizing service-link efficiency and capacity. NTT will mainly develop the control technology of the HAPS feeder link, such as site diversity and control of the transmit power, for robust service quality. SKY Perfect JSAT, which plans to offer the NTN business by connecting satellites and HAPS networks to multi-terrestrial networks, will mainly focus on developing alternative feeder link methods, such as satellite-backhaul and improvement of connection rates through the multi-connection of ground gateway stations.

https://space-compass.com/en/news/000065.html

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Verizon Business offers Zebra rugged devices for Private 5G

Verizon Business is now offering Zebra mobile device and software packaged solutions to Verizon Private 5G customers .

Zebra rugged enterprise tablets and mobile computers are purpose-built to simplify processes for frontline workers in transportation and logistics, retail, manufacturing, and other industries. The devices include Zebra Mobility DNA software applications and tools to help customers better track inventory, manage projects and communication on job sites, and keep manufacturing processes and industrial workflows moving smoothly -- all certified to work with Verizon’s private wireless networks. Zebra’s devices can also leverage the capabilities of Zebra Workcloud software solutions.

“As a network provider, Verizon wants to make it easier for customers to get the devices and software they’ll need to take full advantage of their private network as soon as possible,” said Steve Szabo, Vice President of Business Products for Verizon Business. “Partnering directly with Zebra Technologies accelerates the timeline from adoption to implementation, giving critical days or weeks back to businesses that can get caught up in protracted cycles of getting operations up and running.”    

Industries, environments and use cases for Zebra rugged enterprise mobile computers, tablets and software with Verizon private wireless networks include:

• Retail: price/inventory checks, item location, mobile point of sale, assisted selling, workforce scheduling, workforce timekeeping, task management, front of store replenishment, loss prevention, actionable intelligence, price management, inventory visibility/cycle counts, workforce communications, inventory ordering, inventory ordering, forecasting and analysis
• Warehouse, Manufacturing, Ports: Order/Inventory management, returns processing, item picking/put-away, EDI transactions, warehouse management, asset management, voice communications, forklift operations, assembly line quality control, track and trace, product information management, equipment maintenance, workforce management, shipping
• Transportation & Logistics: asset management, parcel dimensioning, invoicing/mobile point of sale, fleet management, inventory management

https://www.zebra.com/us/en/products/mobile-computers/vehicle-mounted.html?page=1

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O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2023 draws wide participation

The O-RAN ALLIANCE Global PlugFest Fall 2023, which was conducted from September to November 2023 in 16 labs across Asia, Europe and North America, highlighted its momentum.

• The O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2023 carried out critical testing and validation of O-RAN technologies to support and encourage ongoing adoption by the industry.
• The tests provided participants validation of O-RAN equipment conformance, performance and interoperability; tackled issues to overcome hurdles to wider technology adoption; and facilitated exploration of new features, scenarios and applications. 
• Two labs conducted field trials of O-RAN equipment, one in a rural environment and the other in an urban one.
• O-RAN Global PlugFest Fall 2023 was co-hosted by 24 major operators, Open Testing and Integration Centres (OTIC) and independent institutions. 
• 
  There were 52 companies and institutions participating: Aarna Networks, Actiontec, Aira Technologies, AirHop Communications, Analog Devices, Anritsu, AT&T, CableLabs, Calnex Solutions, Ciena, COSMOS Lab, Dell Technologies, Deutsche Telekom, Digital Catapult, DISH, DZS, EANTC, EURECOM, ETRI - Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Fujitsu, Future Connections, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, HFR, i14y Lab, Infinera, Innowireless, Intel, Juniper Networks, KDDI, Keysight Technologies, LENOVO, LG Uplus, MAVENIR, NEC, Net AI, National Instruments, NIST, Nokia, NTT DATA, NTT DOCOMO, NVIDIA, Orange, PHYTunes, POWDER Lab Site, Qualcomm, Quanta Cloud Technology, Radisys, Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony, Red Hat, Ribbon, Rimedo Labs, Rohde&Schwarz, Samsung Electronics, Sercom, Simnovus, SK Telecom, SoftBank, Software Radio Systems, SOLiD, Spirent Communications, Super Micro Computer, Telefonica, TIM, UNH-IOL, Verizon, VIAVI Solutions, VMware, Vodafone, VVDN, Wind River, Wiwynn Corporation, Xena Networks and YRP (Yokosuka Research Park) R&D Promotion Committee.

“The continued level of industry participation in the Global PlugFest demonstrates commitment and progress in advancing O-RAN,” said Alex Jinsung Choi, Chair of the Board of O-RAN ALLIANCE and SVP Group Technology, Deutsche Telekom. “In the Fall 2023 PlugFest, we expanded scope of testing beyond lab-based conformance and interoperability of equipment. Security validation continued to be a priority throughout the PlugFest. Several venues hosted demonstrations of RIC for energy savings, enabling attainment of sustainability objectives. And participants applied AI/ML for intelligent automation of network operation.”

https://www.o-ran.org

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Poland's largest power grid operator implements IP/MPLS

PGE, Poland's largest power grid operator, will deploy a country-wide critical backhaul network using Nokia's IP/MPLS.

The network will provide foundational connectivity for its private wireless infrastructure for critical communications of all power grid companies operating in Poland.

The decision to choose Nokia for this transformative project was driven by Nokia's reputation for delivering state-of-the-art solutions and its commitment to innovation. Nokia's expertise in grid communications and its proven track record in deploying robust and scalable networks for power grid operators made it the ideal partner for PGE's ambitious plans.

Dirk Lewandowski, Vice President Central and East Europe, Nokia Enterprise, said: "We are honored to collaborate with PGE on this transformative project. Nokia's IP/MPLS technology is at the forefront of innovation, offering a reliable and scalable solution that aligns seamlessly with PGE's vision for a modernized and efficient communication network. Our experience with numerous power grid operators worldwide shows that IP/MPLS is a well-established standard for Operational Telecommunication (OT) and critical communication networks. We look forward to supporting PGE in achieving its strategic objectives and contributing to the success of Poland's power grid infrastructure."

Wojciech Dąbrowski, President of the Management Board PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna, said: “The LTE450 network is one of the key elements in PGE's building of a modern energy industry. A reliable and secure communications network combined with network metering will provide a constant, real-time picture of the operation of the energy distribution network. This will allow an immediate response to incidents occurring in the network and reduce the time it takes to detect and remove failures. a digitalisation, of which the LTE network is an essential element, will speed up customer service and enable new services to be offered to customers.”

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