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China’s objective is to establish a comprehensive computing power infrastructure system by the end of 2025 in the face of US restrictions 

China has invested more than 43.5 billion yuan ($6.1 billion) in data centre investment over the past two years, according to an official statement on Thursday reported by Chinese state publication Xinhua. 

The funds have paid for the construction eight computing hubs as part of China’s “East Data, West Computing” initiative, launched in 2022 by Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). 

The concept involves storing data in the more economically developed eastern regions of China, where digital and industrial activity is concentrated, and processing it in the western regions, which have plenty of land and energy but lower data demand.   

The $6,1 billion investment includes the deployment of three server hubs on China’s populous east coast and five hubs in China’s central/western corridor.  

Speaking at a big data expo in Guiyang, in southwest China’s Guizhou Province, Liu Liehong, the head of the National Data Administration, reported that total investments linked to the hubs deployment had surpassed 200 billion yuan ($28.2 billion). He also mentioned that the number of data center racks now exceeds 1.95 million. 

This project is a critical element of China’s digital infrastructure strategy, aiming to boost the capacity of inland areas to store and manage data. China also has plans to create 10 national data center clusters as part of this broader effort.  

The push comes as the country has faced tight sanctions from the US, which have included exports of some advanced computing products. 

As computing power is emerging as a vital productive force in the digital economy, Liu explained that China will support cities in exploring new approaches over the next few years to determine the most effective solutions for data infrastructure development countrywide. 

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Nokia shot down speculation from a Bloomberg report claiming that it is prepping its mobile unit for a US$10 billion sale for suitors including rival Samsung.

In a statement, the Finnish vendor said the it had “nothing to announce” in regards to the speculations and that “no related insider project exists”.

Nokia added that it is “committed to the success of its Mobile Networks business, a highly strategic asset for both Nokia and its customers.”

It claimed the unit had “made significant progress” in correcting its cost-bases, and winning new deals and customers.

“Nokia is focused on ensuring that Mobile Networks is positioned to serve its customers building the best performing networks, investing in its portfolio and creating value for Nokia’s shareholders,” Nokia said in its statement.

Mobile Networks contributes a significant portion to Nokia’s business. In Q2 2024, Mobile Networks contributed €1.97 billion in revenue a year-on-year plunge of 25%. Gross profit for the division dipped 3% from €877 million in 2023 to €851 million this year.

Nokia’s overall net revenues was €4.46 billion in the quarter an 18% year-on-year drop off. Nokia added in 2023 its financial results were spurred by spending from Indian operators that were ramping up 5G plans.

In the original Bloomberg report, sources speaking to publication claimed that Nokia had been speaking to advisors for options for its mobile networks which had for years struggled against rivals Ericsson and Huawei. Sources said Nokia is considering a partial sale, a tie-up with rivals or spinning it off.

The unit is valued roughly at $10 billion said the sources. Nokia’s total market value is around US$24.7 billion, after the news story broke and raised shares by 5.1% to €3.98, reported Bloomberg.  

Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark said in the vendor’s Q2 earnings statement that “In Mobile Networks the market dynamic remains challenging as operators continue to be cautious”. In August, Nokia announced a slew of deals in Argentina, Brazil, Eastern Europe, Ghana and Malaysia.  

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The RAN (Radio Access Network) automation market traces its origins to the beginning of the LTE era when SON (Self-Organizing Network) technology was introduced to reduce cellular network complexity through self-configuration, self-optimization and self-healing. SON’s shortcomings, together with the cellular industry’s shift towards open interfaces, common information models, virtualization and software-driven networking, are driving a transition to Open RAN automation with standards-based components – specifically the Near-RT (Real-Time) and Non-RT RICs (RAN Intelligent Controllers), SMO (Service Management & Orchestration) framework, xApps (Extended Applications) and rApps (RAN Applications) – that enable greater levels of RAN programmability and automation.

While the benefits of SON-based RAN automation in live networks are well-known, expectations are even higher with the RIC, SMO and x/rApps approach. For example, Japanese brownfield operator NTT DoCoMo expects to lower its TCO by up to 30% and decrease power consumption at base stations by as much as 50% using Open RAN automation. It is worth highlighting that domestic rival Rakuten Mobile has already achieved approximately 17% energy savings per cell in its live network using RIC-hosted RAN automation applications. Following successful lab trials, the greenfield operator aims to increase savings to 25% with more sophisticated AI/ML models.

Although Open RAN automation efforts seemingly lost momentum beyond the field trial phase for the past couple of years, several commercial engagements have emerged since then, with much of the initial focus on the SMO, Non-RT RIC and rApps for automated management and optimization across Open RAN, purpose-built and hybrid RAN environments. Within the framework of its five-year $14 Billion Open RAN infrastructure contract with Ericsson, AT&T is adopting the Swedish telecommunications giant’s SMO and Non-RT RIC solution to replace two legacy C-SON systems. In neighboring Canada, Telus has also initiated the implementation of an SMO and RIC platform along with its multi-vendor Open RAN deployment to transform up to 50% of its RAN footprint and swap out Huawei equipment from its 4G/5G network.

Similar efforts are also underway in other regions. For example, in Europe, Swisscom is deploying an SMO and Non-RT RIC platform to provide multi-technology network management and automation capabilities as part of a wider effort to future-proof its brownfield mobile network, while Deutsche Telekom is progressing with plans to develop its own vendor-independent SMO framework. Open RAN automation is also expected to be introduced as part of Vodafone Group’s global tender for refreshing 170,000 cell sites.

SNS Telecom & IT’s “RAN Automation: 2024 – 2030” report predicts that global spending on RIC, SMO and x/rApps will grow at a CAGR of more than 125% between 2024 and 2027 alongside the second wave of Open RAN infrastructure rollouts by brownfield operators. The Open RAN automation market will eventually account for nearly $700 Million in annual investments by the end of 2027 as standardization gaps and technical challenges in terms of the SMO-to-Non-RT RIC interface, application portability across RIC platforms and conflict mitigation between x/rApps are ironed out. The wider RAN automation software and services market – which includes Open RAN automation, RAN vendor SON solutions, third party C-SON platforms, baseband-integrated intelligent RAN applications, RAN planning and optimization software, and test/measurement solutions – is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 8% during the same period. For more information, please visit: https://www.snstelecom.com/son

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FiberLocator, the US’s most prominent fibre data platform, has announced the addition of data on UK fibre providers to its extensive database, which already holds the fibre footprint and route maps of 1000+ carriers, more than 5 million connected buildings, and 6,000 data centres.

FiberLocator provides carriers, mobile operators, towercos and data centre operators with the most comprehensive, accurate, and timely fibre data available. For decades it has been the United States’ leading resource guide for developing a custom fibre network, planning data centre sites, locating on-net buildings and more. The company is constantly researching and integrating new data from providers and third parties to help guide network planners with the fibre data they need.

“FiberLocator users are generating an increasing request volume for UK-based fibre connectivity, and launching in the UK will open up many exciting new opportunities for us,” said Mike Iapalucci, Vice President of FiberLocator. “On the one hand, we see increased US demand for UK fibre. On the other hand, there is a rich and diverse fibre ecosystem in the UK. Our goal is to be the bridge between UK supply and US demand, and we’re already in the process of signing up our first suppliers.”

Fibre providers contribute footprint data onto the FiberLocator platform free of charge, advertising their fibre availability to a wide range of US carriers. This creates an additional wholesale selling channel, without the need for time-consuming framework negotiations.

“With the increased expansion of UK data centres, proximity to fibre is more important than ever for data centre users and operators,” said David Liggitt, President of CCMI. “This represents a fantastic opportunity for UK providers, and we’re thrilled to share our services with the market.”

The company aims to sign up a critical mass of UK fibre suppliers before the end of the year. and will be attending Connected Britain and Capacity Europe in London this fall.

One financial move and three bits of data center ecosystem development: … [visit site to read more]