Two new global PoPs, a subsea expansion, and a new IX collaboration: … [visit site to read more]

News

A new chairman has taken the helm at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and learn about Trump’s new nominee to fill the vacancy left by former FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel. Plus, see how data centers are driving demand and controversy in recent headlines.

Trump designates Brendan Carr as FCC chairman
Brendan Carr has been designated as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) following an order signed by President Donald Trump yesterday.

Trump nominates Olivia Trusty to serve as FCC commissioner
The policy director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation has been nominated to serve as an FCC commissioner

Lightpath says AI-driven infrastructure demand is unprecedented

Lightpath, an infrastructure-based connectivity provider, is reporting significant recent sales to hyperscalers for AI-driven infrastructure.

Data centers near battlefields cause controversy in Virginia

The findings of a Virginia legislative audit and review commission that investigated the impacts of data centers in Virginia have come under fire.

Forecasted demand for data center due diligence spurs rebrand

Broadband Success Partners, a firm that completes network and data center evaluations, is rebranding in 2025.

Join the conversation about connectivity in North America. Click here to learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025

Intracom Telecom has upgraded its uni|MS Network Lifecycle Automation & Management Platform.

Release 13.1 boosts the platform’s capacity, allowing it to provision and manage up to 1 million Fixed Wireless Access devices (FWA CPEs) – a 65% increase from the previous version’s 600,000 devices.

Amidst rapid and substantial growth in the deployment of WiBAS CPEs by WISPs and telcos worldwide for their FWA networks, Intracom Telecom saw the need to develop innovative software that significantly enhances the capacity of the uni|MS platform.

To reach 1 million FWA CPEs, Intracom Telecom significantly redesigned how CPE entries are handled by the uni|MS database, using new technologies such as containerised applications. The platform was extensively tested, in a fully automated test environment, utilising actual network data and simulated stress scenarios to ensure it is ready for future growth and scaling needs.

As a result, the software algorithms developed by the company’s R&D have allowed it to deliver excellent customer experience to 65% more subscribers with the same or less data center CPU and storage resources.

Dimitris Padelopoulos, CTO of Wireless Solutions Portfolio at Intracom Telecom, stated: “This achievement is the result of the continuous evolution of the uni|MS platform by our company’s R&D department, focused on developing and integrating new innovative technologies. The capability to support up to 1 million devices ensures an efficient and reliable solution, capable of meeting even the most demanding current and future needs of our customers.”

John Tenidis, Product Management & Marketing Director of Wireless Systems in Intracom Telecom, added: « FWA is becoming an integral part of all modern fixed access networks, and with the release 13.1 of uni|MS we are strengthening our solution offering to both existing and potential clients, ensuring that we stay ahead of their needs as the FWA sector continues to grow.”

Zayo has detailed the next wave of longhaul buildouts it will be working on over the next few years, and it’s quite a lot. The communications infrastructure provider says it has more than 5,000 new route miles of fiber in the pipeline. The buildouts are in response to AI-driven data center capacity buildouts, which will inevitably require significant new capacity. … [visit site to read more]

Four significant items of metro and last mile fiber news, three from the US and one from the UK: … [visit site to read more]

India’s digital transformation over the last decade has been nothing short of extraordinary. From the days of dial-up connections, the nation has surged into a new era of rapid digitization.

At the heart of this transformation lies the telecom industry, which has played a pivotal role in connecting millions to the digital world, many for the very first time. The expansion of mobile networks, especially into rural areas, coupled with the availability of affordable smartphones, has driven this digital revolution.

Telecom has been empowering the country’s digital journey by enabling the building of digital assets and networks in India. The industry built the country’s digital superhighway, which has been a key enabler on which the economy growth as well as the digital transformations continue to speeden.  With the penetration of telecom infrastructure, we banked the unbanked enabling the growth of digital financial transactions. Today, initiatives like UPI system, digital financial institutions have contributed in making India as one of the biggest digital payment marketplaces globally. The telecom sector has been cementing the country’s digital highways for greater dexterity with future ready technology solutions and network, ushering in an era of myriad digital possibilities for the nation. The Indian government’s initiatives under its “Digital India” mission has further added a much-needed impetus to this revolution, driving digital innovations and cutting-edge technologies.

Today, India is not just keeping pace but leading the charge in the global digital arena, spurring innovations that are shaping the future. With over 60% of its population under the age of 35, India boasts the world’s largest youth demographic, making it one of the most dynamic markets for digital technology. The Indian government’s initiatives, such as Digital India, focusing on sustainable development, inclusion, and leveraging digital infrastructure, helps add further momentum to this.

As the digital economy grows at an unprecedented rate, India presents an unparalleled opportunity for global companies. The country’s vast and varied digital ecosystem encompasses key sectors such as financial services, commerce, entertainment, education, and enterprise digitalization, all of which are experiencing significant growth.

Five Essentials for Tech Companies Entering India:

• Customize and Tailor-Make Digital Solutions

India’s diverse demographic landscape demands a deep understanding of the local market. Global companies need to design tech solutions that cater to the unique needs and preferences of Indian consumers. Success in India hinges on implementing user-friendly and culturally resonant technologies that appeal to a wide range of users. This means localizing content, features, and services to align with regional languages, behaviors, and expectations.

• Invest in Robust IT Infrastructure

The backbone of India’s digital growth is its expanding IT infrastructure. Companies entering India should collaborate with local partners to leverage the country’s extensive fiber networks and state-of-the-art data centers. This collaboration ensures data centralization, security, and scalability for businesses, allowing them to operate efficiently and meet the growing demands of the Indian market. Robust IT infrastructure also enhances the seamless execution of operations, from urban hubs to remote rural areas.

• Strengthen Connectivity

India’s vast and diverse geography makes connectivity a critical factor for success. Forming strategic partnerships with local telecom carriers and internet service providers is essential for enhancing connectivity. By doing so, companies can access next-gen technologies like 5G, which are rapidly being deployed across the country. Investing in AI and other advanced technologies will help future-proof businesses, enabling them to tap into both urban and rural markets effectively.

• Leverage Advanced Cloud Technologies

Cloud technology is central to India’s digital expansion, with a growing demand for data security and compliance. Companies should partner with cloud providers that have a strong local presence and a robust infrastructure. This ensures that data is stored securely within India, aligning with the country’s data localization requirements. As India’s data center landscape continues to expand, businesses have the opportunity to localize their data, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency.

• Adhere to Regulatory and Cybersecurity Measures

India’s regulatory environment is evolving rapidly, particularly in the areas of data protection and cybersecurity. Companies entering the Indian market must ensure strict compliance with local laws to avoid legal and operational challenges. Engaging with local experts who understand the regulatory landscape is crucial for navigating India’s complex legal environment. This includes adhering to cybersecurity regulations and data protection laws, which are becoming increasingly stringent.

India’s rapid digital transformation and expanding economy present an unparalleled opportunity for global companies. By customizing solutions for the Indian market, investing in IT infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, leveraging cloud technologies, and adhering to local regulations, businesses can tap into this dynamic and growing market. As India continues to lead in digital innovation, it stands as the next major growth market for companies worldwide.

Sharat Sinha is the CEO of Airtel Business. 

News

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

The policy director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation has been nominated to serve as an FCC commissioner.

Olivia Trusty’s nomination was first announced by now-President Donald Trump on Truth Social last week, a social-media platform owned by Trump Media.

“She has fought tirelessly to grow the economy, empower innovation, and reignite the American Dream,” Trump’s Jan. 16 post stated.

He said Trusty would work with Brendan Carr, the newly named FCC chairman, “to cut regulations at a record pace.”

Trump also said they’d “protect free speech, and ensure every American has access to affordable and fast internet.”

Trump also made mention of Trusty’s academic background, which includes Georgetown University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Her nomination is pending Senate approval.

In the meantime, the FCC’s remaining Democratic commissioners reacted to the news.

Ana M. Gomez released a statement congratulating Trusty.

“She is widely respected, a consummate professional, and has a strong background on communications policy,” Gomez stated. “I welcome the opportunity to work with her.”

Additionally, Geoffrey Starks, the other Democrat on the FCC, also congratulated her.

“She is a committed public servant with extensive knowledge of the communications sector,” the statement from Starks read. “As clearly exhibited
by her work in the Senate, she is an effective policy-maker, which will benefit the agency and the American people going forward.”

Meanwhile, in the days since Trusty’s nomination, Jessica Rosenworcel, the former FCC chair, has departed the commission.

Replacing her as chair is Brendan Carr, who was named the FCC’s chair with an official order signed by Trump on Inauguration Day.

Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.

Also, click here to subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.

One subsea item and three bits of data center news: … [visit site to read more]

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said on Monday it has launched the AI Skills Coalition, an initiative to bridge the global AI skills gap that has the backing of 27 organizations, including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, the East Africa Community and Cognizant.

According to the ITU, the coalition will serve as an online platform for AI education and capacity building that will also encourage inclusive participation by offering open and accessible skills training on generative AI, machine learning and applying AI for sustainable development.

The rise of AI has prompted the telecoms and ICT sectors to prep their digital infrastructures and data centres to support bandwidth and compute-intensive AI workloads. Meanwhile, an estimated 94% of global business leaders already see AI as critical for the success of their organizations, according to a recent AI for Good Impact Report published by ITU and Deloitte.

However, insufficient technical skills and the need for extensive upskilling and reskilling are among key barriers to broader AI adoption globally, as well as a considerable lack of trust in AI amid fears that it will replace human jobs, the ITU said. Recent announcements regarding the launch of AI cloud infrastructure investments in developing markets by big-name players like Google, AWS and Microsoft have typically come with promises of local AI skills training, but the ITU says a more global and inclusive approach is needed to address the issue and ensure more stakeholders are involved.

The AI Skills Coalition aims to will provide educational materials that can bolster skills for the future and address global inequalities in AI knowledge. Meanwhile, the ITU will work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to leverage UNDP’s presence in over 170 countries and territories to deliver AI capacity development directly to partner countries.

“Capacity development is the number one ask from the developing countries that we work in,” said Achim Steiner, administrator of UNDP. “As part of this Coalition, we will work with our partners to deliver crucial foundational AI training, so that policy-makers and national governments can responsibly harness AI to achieve sustainable development.”

The initiative will also addresses underrepresentation of marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the development of AI products and services, the ITU said.

The coalition initiative will be rolled out in phases, starting with the launch of a new training platform developed by the ITU in March 2025. The platform will include a comprehensive training portfolio and a customizable digital library of AI material supplied by coalition members, as well as self-paced courses, webinars, access to in-person workshops, and hybrid programs tailored to diverse learning needs – all offered free of charge,

The coalition will also develop specialized government training in AI governance, ethics, and policymaking to address the specific needs of developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs), the ITIU said.

There has been a significant fiber M&A in the North Atlantic. The pan-European network operator EXA Infrastructure has agreed to acquire Ireland-based Aqua Comms. It’s a rare example of the inorganic purchase of a nearly pure play subsea cable business. … [visit site to read more]