Contributed Article

Provided by: Belden

For over a decade, Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) has been the go-to metric for evaluating data center efficiency. As artificial intelligence (AI) workloads scale rapidly, however, relying so heavily on PUE has run into a problem.

Unfortunately, PUE’s facility-wide perspective provides little insight into how efficiently an AI workload is being executed. As AI workloads continue to demand growing amounts of power, the data center industry is pivoting to a more granular metric – energy per inference.

Optimizing for this metric requires scrutinizing every layer of the hardware stack. While GPUs and advanced cooling systems receive significant attention, the optical interconnects that move data within clusters are quickly becoming a strategic concern.

Why the interconnect layer matters for AI power efficiency

In legacy data centers, the power draw of a single transceiver has always been a topic of importance, but less so than today. Modern AI fabrics have changed the conversation.

A high-performance GPU server can rely on ten or more optical transceivers for communication across spine, leaf, and server switch architectures. As data rates shift upward to 800G and 1.6T, the energy cost of moving bits begins to rival the cost of processing them. At this scale, optical design choices begin to influence energy per inference in a measurable way.

How Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) Work

Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) simplify the transceiver by removing the most power-intensive parts – the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and Clock Data Recovery (CDR). In standard full re-timed optics (FRO), the DSP alone can account for roughly 40% of total optic power consumption.

Instead, LPO shifts signal conditioning responsibilities to the host switch silicon, specifically the SerDes (Serializer/Deserializer). This handoff results in a leaner optical module that slashes the power draw per 800G link from around 13W-16W to 7W-9W. Lower transceiver power means less heat generated at the switch faceplate. Less heat means reduced cooling demand across the room and less pressure on HVAC systems.

Additionally, by bypassing the DSP processing cycle, LPO reduces latency from around 100ns to less than 10ns. That not only improves the responsiveness of distributed AI training and inference but also permits infrastructure to deliver more useful compute work per watt-hour.

Crucially, LPO modules interoperate with standard FRO, allowing operators to maintain hybrid environments and pursue a phased transition within the same network fabric.

Key technical considerations for DSP-less architectures

Despite the immense benefits of LPO technology, its successful deployment depends on a few, key hardware conditions.

1. Host platform dependency: Because the optic no longer carries a DSP, the host switch must do more. That means stronger SerDes performance is essential. Many early deployments are associated with newer switch platforms such as those built around Tomahawk 5-class architectures.
2. Distance and signal integrity: Without re-timing inside the optic, LPO is generally better suited to short-reach links, often under 500 meters. Additionally, LPO can be less forgiving of signal deterioration introduced by cable quality or board layout variations.

A roadmap to 1.6T and sustainable growth

As AI clusters move toward 1.6T interconnect speeds, pressure to improve efficiency will continue to rise. A growing number of industry analysts see LPO as a practical near-term deployment solution that will enjoy significant, consistent growth through 2033.

In the AI era, improving energy per inference means looking beyond the GPU and examining every watt consumed across the network path. Linear Pluggable Optics are not a universal replacement for traditional re-timed modules. But in short-reach, high-density AI environments, they can play an important role in reducing power draw, lowering thermal load, and improving compute efficiency. For those building at scale, the optical layer is no longer a background consideration. It is now the next fundamental frontier in the quest for more sustainable AI.

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There have been more headlines about the effect of data centres on water worries, this time in Poland, where a data centre announced for a suburb of the capital Warsaw has been met with protests from residents.

Developed by Sien Real, a joint venture of Polish construction firm Budimex and the Spanish infrastructure operator Ferrovial, the facility will house four buildings on a 45,305 square metre plot. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.

As industry website Data Centre Dynamics notes, there is as yet no information about the site’s compute capacity. However, local press has been total that the site’s water usage is expected to be equivalent to that of a housing estate of up to 3,000 people.

Budimex insists it is paying particular attention to minimizing the facility’s impact on local residents by ensuring it uses features that mitigate water consumption, noise, and dust emissions and deploys cooling and emergency power systems that meet the highest standards for modern data centres.

As well as local supplies, a 1,102.33 cubic metre retention reservoir is to be built to store excess rainwater and meltwater. Its contents will be discharged into the local sewer system or used to water the site’s landscaped areas.

Despite these assurances, some residents fear that the project will exacerbate water shortages in the nearby commuter town of Józefosław. Earlier this year the water pressure in the town dropped to low levels every evening. Residents demanded a review of network capacity in light of new housing estates being developed in the area.

Warsaw is Poland’s largest data centre market, with 45 facilities listed in and around the city and more on the way.

Water and power are major concerns for many residents of areas near proposed data centres – and not just in Poland. India, South Africa, Israel and Malaysia are among the many regions where the ongoing rush to plan and construct new facilities is now being examined more closely by both regulators and the public.

Today we sit down with Dan Rice, Accenture’s Communications & Media Industry Lead for the USA, to look at trends in AI and communications infrastructure.  We last spoke with Dan about a year and a half ago, which is about a generation in the AI infrastructure world. Lots has happened since then in this industry, let alone the rest of the world.  How are things shaping up? … [visit site to read more]

Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched their satellite-to-mobile service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the operator claiming the country’s deployment is the first commercial launch of Elon Musk’s satellite connectivity service.

Compatible smartphones will be able to connect directly to Starlink’s satellite network in areas without terrestrial mobile infrastructure, Airtel Africa said.

The service supports light data applications including WhatsApp and SMS, with no external equipment required. Airtel said the service uses Starlink’s 650-strong direct-to-device satellite constellation.

The launch follows a pilot of Starlink Mobile data and messaging services by the two companies in Kenya in March.

Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar described the DRC launch as a significant milestone in extending « essential connectivity » beyond terrestrial networks. He said the DRC deployment would provide a blueprint for the gradual expansion of the service across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Airtel DRC managing director Thierry Diasnova said the country’s size and geography make it difficult for operators to economically deploy terrestrial infrastructure in remote areas.

« This service provides an additional layer of connectivity, helping customers remain reachable, informed and connected even in areas where terrestrial coverage is unavailable, » he said.

Airtel expects the service to support users including transport and logistics operators, humanitarian organisations, health workers, farmers and mining operations, as well as communities outside the reach of existing mobile networks.

The satellite service could also provide communications during emergencies, including natural disasters, when terrestrial infrastructure may be unavailable.

Press Release

Over 150 4G mast upgrades are now live across the UK’s national parks, including the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri, Snowdonia, as part of the continued rollout of the Shared Rural Network.

The latest upgrade provides extended 4G coverage across over 5,684 square kilometres, in areas that previously only had access to EE coverage, or none at all.

 The government-funded 4G mast upgrades are delivered through existing infrastructure and bring 4G coverage from EE, Virgin Media 02, and Vodafone and ThreeUK in order to bolster connectivity in rural areas.

The rollout is intended to support accessing online public services, working more flexibly from home, running payments and bookings for local firms, and for holidaymakers accessing location data or calling for emergency assistance.

Mike Hellers, Product Development Manager at the London Internet Exchange, commented: “Strengthening connectivity in rural areas is a key aspect of the UK’s growth ambition, providing greater access to digital services, AI tools and streaming in hard-to-reach locations like the Yorkshire Dales and Eryri.”

“As more communities gain access to reliable 4G coverage through the Shared Rural Network, efficient traffic exchange and keeping data as local as possible will become increasingly important in delivering the low-latency, resilient services people expect. Continued investment across the wider internet ecosystem will be essential to support growing demand and maximise the benefits of expanded mobile connectivity.”

42 Shared Rural Network sites are now active across the UK’s national parks, including 25 sites in England covering areas such as the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, 16 sites in Wales including Eryri, and 1 site in Scotland in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs.

Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: “Connectivity continues to get taken for granted across the UK despite being something we all rely on so heavily. Rural communities, in particular, have long faced challenges as essential digital services such as healthcare, banking and education shift online, also having a knock-on impact on wider employment and access opportunities.

“The government’s latest expansion of the Shared Rural Network rollout is an important step in recognising the importance of reliable mobile and internet access to keep people connected in remote areas. Connectivity is a key component of digital inclusion, and the next step is ensuring people in Yorkshire have affordable and suitable devices for work and school, alongside the digital skills to use them effectively. These government initiatives set the tone for inclusivity in the UK’s regions.”

The government has outlined that the Shared Rural Network programme has hit its rollout objective of extending 4G coverage to 95 per cent of the UK landmass a year ahead of schedule.

Minister of State for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Ian Murray, said: “You should be able to switch off in the countryside without being cut off from the help and services you need.”

“These 150 masts are helping change that – giving walkers, visitors and rural communities better access to signal when they are checking a route, contacting family, running a business or calling for help.”

South African operator Vodacom has appointed lead independent director Khumo Shuenyane as its next chairman, succeeding Saki Macozoma when he retires in July 2027.

Shuenyane will take over as chairman on July 21, 2027, after Macozoma completes a 10-year tenure on the company’s board. Vodacom has a self-imposed 10-year tenure limit for board members.

Macozoma has served as Vodacom chairman since 2017, with his retirement marking the end of the maximum board tenure.

Meanwhile, Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa, South Africa CEO of technology investor Naspers, will retire from Vodacom’s board on October 8, 2026.

Former Airtel Africa CEO Segun Ogunsanya will join the board as an independent non-executive director from October 9.

Vodacom said the appointments form part of its board succession planning. Reuters reported the changes.

This Industr Viewpoint was authored by Paul Wright, CRO of CBNG

For much of the past decade, Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployment strategies have focused primarily on extending coverage and maximizing peak throughput. Vendors have highlighted multi-gigabit sector capacities. Operators have emphasized coverage expansion and subscriber growth. Technology discussions have largely centered on spectrum, radios, and headline speeds. … [visit site to read more]

The Algerian government has reportedly warned Meta that all WhatsApp accounts in the country must be linked to a valid mobile phone number registered with an Algerian telco, and instructed it to ban all WhatsApp accounts that aren’t.

According to news agency Ecofin, Algeria’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications sent an official notice to Meta on Monday expressing concerns about WhatsApp’s new « Usernames » feature announced at the end of June. The feature – which is slated to be rolled out later this year – allows WhatsApp users to create a unique username instead of sharing their phone number. It also allows users to adopt their Instagram username, making it easier to connect across Meta’s platforms.

The notice said the ministry is worried about the traceability of WhatsApp users whose phone numbers are kept hidden, which it said could potentially be abused for fraud, identity theft and cybercrime.

While it doesn’t object to the « Usernames » feature as such, the ministry said Meta must take steps to ensure that all existing and newly registered WhatApp accounts are connected to Algerian SIMs.

Under current regulations in Algeria, mobile users must provide an ID document to obtain a SIM card so that the card’s number is associated with the user. The ministry wants Meta to guarantee this won’t change with the Usernames feature, the report said.

The ministry notice also instructs Meta to ban all WhatsApp accounts with numbers registered outside of Algeria, the report added. It is unclear whether such a ban would apply to mobile users roaming into the country.

According to Algerian Radio, WhatsApp has nearly 27 million registered users in Algeria.

The Indian government expressed similar concerns over WhatsApp Usernames last month, sending Meta a letter ordering it to justify the feature and halt its rollout in India until officials assess its impact.

WhatsApp responded that users still need a phone number to register an account, while people will only be able to message others if they know their exact username. WhatsApp also said Usernames includes safeguards against fraud, such as limits on how many new users an account can contact and protections against repeated attempts to guess user names.

A few interesting items from around the sector: … [visit site to read more]

UAE regulator the TDRA has renewed the licences of both of the country’s telecom operators – e& and du – for another 20 years.

The renewed licenses will be effective from 9 August 2026 until 8 August 2046, replacing the licences issued in 2006. The two licences include an enhanced set of obligations, most notably a comprehensive framework covering network resilience, backup capacity and international connectivity, in addition to quality of service, interconnection and access, national roaming, universal service, subscriber protection and the prevention of anti-competitive practices.

TDRA says the renewal provides the sector with a long-term regulatory framework that offers the stability required to sustain investment in digital infrastructure and future technologies, providing the sector with a long-term framework that lays the foundation for a new phase in which connectivity evolves into intelligence, and digital infrastructure becomes a national platform for innovation and sustainable growth.

Expanding on this point, HE Talal Belhoul, Chairman of TDRA, explains: “The infrastructure of the national economy relies on telecommunications networks across all vital sectors, including government services, financial services, healthcare, education, energy, transport, industry and digital commerce. The next phase takes on added importance in light of the Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to double the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7% in 2022 to 19.4% over the next ten years. The sector is also expected to gradually transition from connected networks to intelligent, autonomous networks, where artificial intelligence becomes an integral part of the intelligence of the network itself.”

Continuing the critical national infrastructure theme, HE Eng Mohammed Al Ramsi, Deputy Director General of the Telecommunications Sector at TDRA, says the new licences require licensees to « geographically diversify international connectivity through multiple terrestrial systems and submarine cables, eliminate single points of failure, implement disaster recovery mechanisms and test them regularly, and develop qualified national talent capable of operating and restoring networks under exceptional circumstances ».