XDS to host 10MW of AI workloads in Saudi's 'Desert Dragons'

UK & Dubai-based XDS Datacentres (XDS), a developer of liquid immersion digital infrastructure, has signed a major agreement with ICS Arabia for the construction and delivery of Riyadh & Jeddah's first 10 MW immersion-cooled data centre. This collaboration, developed within ICS Arabia's Desert Dragon technology ecosystem, aims to bring advanced computing capacity, sustainability, and scalability to support Saudi Arabia's digital transformation. Under the terms of the 15-year agreement, ICS Arabia will design, construct, and hand over two 10MW facilities to XDS by Q4 2026. The project will utilise Desert Dragon's Tier III-certified infrastructure and immersion cooling technology to support high-density workloads such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, and other GPU-intensive applications, while the facility will seek to set new benchmarks for energy-efficient, high-performance computing in the region. The signing ceremony was held on 8 July at Desert Dragon’s headquarters in Riyadh, with key executives from both organisations in attendance. Ghufran Hamid, CEO of XDS, states, "We are pleased to partner with ICS Arabia on this landmark deployment. The Kingdom represents a key growth market for XDS, and the initial 10MW facilities will showcase the potential of immersion-cooled infrastructure to deliver both performance and sustainability. XDS would like to contribute to Vision 2030 by supplying sustainable infrastructure meeting global ESG standards. "This isn't just another facility, it's the beginning of a new era. No other data centre company is providing the services XDS will provide, with the switch from air-cooled to liquid immersion. As demand for high-density AI workloads, sovereign compute, and climate-resilient digital infrastructure continues to rise, traditional air-cooled data centres are already struggling to cope. Immersion cooling isn't a niche but an inevitability." Abdullah Ayed Al Mazny, General Manager at Desert Dragon (ICS Arabia), adds, "Our partnership with XDS reflects our shared vision to deliver cutting-edge data centre capabilities in the Kingdom. Together, we are enabling sovereign digital infrastructure aligned with the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030." Immersion cooling at scale Both Riyadh & Jeddah facilities will feature full immersion cooling with rack densities up to 368kW. This would make them appropriate for services such as AI, GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS), cloud-native compute, and hyperscale edge deployment. The design includes redundant N+N power and cooling systems, Tier III certification (TCCF and TCDD), and high-capacity network interconnectivity. Service and SLAs Clients of XDS in Saudi Arabia will, according to the company, "benefit from 99.982% uptime guarantees, fully managed colocation services and smart hands, flexible power allocations, GPU-as-a-Service, private cloud, server conversion, customer rack migration and engineering support, Infrastructure-as-a-Service & Software-as-a-Service." Supporting Saudi Arabia's digital future The project represents a milestone for both XDS and ICS Arabia as they contribute to building the Kingdom's digital infrastructure and sovereign data capabilities. The XDS data centre will support national cloud initiatives, artificial intelligence growth, and enterprise workloads that require scalable, low-latency compute infrastructure. Following the announcement of XDS's successful immersion cooled facility in Dubai, this expansion into the Kingdom seeks to position the company as a key operator deploying immersion cooling at scale for high-density compute across the GCC.

DigiCert opens registration for World Quantum Readiness Day

DigiCert, a US-based digital security company, today announced open registration for its annual World Quantum Readiness Day virtual event, which takes place on Wednesday, 10 September 2025. The company is also accepting submissions for its Quantum Readiness Awards. Both initiatives intend to spotlight the critical need for current security infrastructures to adapt to the imminent reality of quantum computing. World Quantum Readiness Day is, according to DigiCert, a "catalyst for action, urging enterprises and governments worldwide to evaluate their preparedness for the emerging quantum era." It seeks to highlight the growing urgency to adopt post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standards and provide a "playbook" to help organisations defend against future quantum-enabled threats. “Quantum computing has the potential to unlock transformative advancements across industries, but it also requires a fundamental rethink of our cybersecurity foundations,” argues Deepika Chauhan, Chief Product Officer at DigiCert. “World Quantum Readiness Day isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a starting point for a global conversation about the urgent need for collective action to secure our quantum future.” The Quantum Readiness Awards were created to celebrate organisations that are leading the charge in quantum preparedness. Judges for the Quantum Readiness Awards include: · Bill Newhouse, Cybersecurity Engineer & Project Lead, National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, NIST· Dr Ali El Kaafarani, CEO, PQShield· Alan Shimel, CEO, TechStrong Group· Blair Canavan, Director, Alliances PQC Portfolio, Thales· Tim Hollebeek, Industry Technology Strategist, DigiCert For more from DigiCert, click here.

CityFibre agrees £2.3 billion in major new financing round

CityFibre, an independent UK full fibre platform, has reached an agreement with its shareholders and existing lenders on a £2.3 billion financing round, aiming to accelerate its next phase of growth. The financing includes £500 million in new equity secured from CityFibre shareholders, Infrastructure at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Antin Infrastructure Partners, Mubadala Investment Company, and Interogo Holding. CityFibre has also agreed a committed £960 million expansion of its existing debt facilities, supported by lenders including ABN AMRO, BBVA, Crédit Agricole CIB, ING, Intesa Sanpaolo IMI CIB, Lloyds, the National Wealth Fund, NatWest, SEB, and Société Générale. The facility will support CityFibre’s continued network investment and should enable it to connect hundreds of thousands of new customers across its nationwide network. An accordion facility of £800 million is also being made available to help drive CityFibre’s expansion through the acquisition of full fibre network assets. This facility will be used to finance the company’s M&A pipeline. Greg Mesch, CEO of CityFibre, comments, “This round of financing will supercharge CityFibre’s next phase of growth as we consolidate the altnet sector, accelerate the pace of customer connections, and unleash the full power of our market-leading 10Gb XGS-PON network for the benefit of all our partners, their customers, and for the UK economy. “There is huge opportunity ahead for CityFibre and it is [a] testament to the success of the company that we have such strong backing from our lenders and shareholders. This multi-billion-pound investment into critical digital infrastructure will deliver significant benefits across the UK, helping to realise potential and unlocking economic growth.” This investment marks a significant moment in upgrading the UK’s digital infrastructure. It will deliver world-class infrastructure and services to millions of consumers and businesses and provide the digital foundations for the UK’s economic growth for decades to come. Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, says, “Today’s announcement shows Britain is attracting billions of pounds of investment, including through the National Wealth Fund, driving growth across British businesses. “Investing in our digital infrastructure is key to ensuring our economy is fit for the future. Through our Plan for Change we’re growing the economy by boosting investment in Britain and working hand in hand with businesses to create jobs, to put more money in working people’s pockets.” Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Technology, adds, "This investment in CityFibre is welcome news. It's proof our telecoms industry is driving investment into the UK as well as building the digital foundations that will serve generations to come. “The success of the UK's network providers will help accelerate the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to millions of homes and businesses across the country. I hope to see even more success stories like this one because this sector is critical not just to improving internet speeds, but to transforming quality of life for communities and creating opportunities in every part of the country as part of our Plan for Change." Over the past 12 months, CityFibre has announced its first full year of profitability, launched Sky’s full fibre and Gigafast+ services across CityFibre’s nationwide network, completed the integration of Lit Fibre, announced the acquisition of Connexin’s full fibre infrastructure, and reached more than 4.5 million premises with its full fibre network, over half way to CityFibre’s milestone. For more from CityFibre, click here.

The critical role of reliable backup power in data centres

James Maynard, Group Marketing Manager at Deep Sea Electronics (DSE), looks at why reliable backup power in data centre environments is an essential requirement in today’s digitally connected world: In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, data centres have become the backbone of global connectivity, supporting everything from cloud services and AI computing to financial transactions and real-time communications. With this growing dependence on digital infrastructure, the need for reliable, integrated backup power systems has never been more important. When milliseconds of downtime can cause serious disruption and data loss, maintaining a seamless and resilient power supply is a non-negotiable priority. At the heart of every high-performing data centre lies a carefully designed power infrastructure built around redundancy, responsiveness, and real-time control. While utility power remains the primary energy source, backup systems such as generators, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and automatic transfer switches (ATS) play a crucial role in ensuring continuity during faults, outages or voltage fluctuations. Redundancy and resilience built-in Reliability begins with redundancy. In a mission-critical environment like a data centre, any single point of failure must be eliminated. This is typically achieved through configurations such as N+1 or 2N power architectures, where backup capacity matches or exceeds load demand, ensuring there's always an alternative source ready to take over. This guarantees that power delivery remains consistent, even during maintenance or equipment failure. But having backup power is not enough. It must be intelligently integrated into the wider infrastructure to respond quickly and efficiently. This is where advanced paralleling controllers and power management systems come into play. At DSE, our intelligent controllers and monitoring solutions enable synchronised operation between multiple generators, seamless load sharing, and real-time decision making – all of which contribute to uninterrupted power supply and improved system longevity. Speed is everything The speed at which power can be transferred from the utility supply to the backup source is critical. Whether it’s a momentary brownout or a full-scale outage, delay in switching can result in dropped connections, data corruption, or hardware failures. Modern ATS systems equipped with high-speed controllers can detect instability and complete the switchover in a matter of seconds – often without noticeable impact to end users or equipment. Advanced features, such as closed transition switching, allow the transfer of load without dropping power entirely – which is ideal for sensitive data centre loads where even momentary interruption is unacceptable. Visibility and control from anywhere Equally important is the ability to monitor and control backup systems remotely. With decentralised teams and 24/7 operation, data centre managers always need full visibility of power assets. Remote monitoring platforms provide real-time insights into generator status, fuel levels, fault alerts, and performance metrics – helping teams act quickly, reduce downtime, and plan maintenance proactively. Integration with building management systems (BMS), data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) tools, and enterprise-level software further streamlines operations and enables joined-up decision making. Planning for growth and efficiency As data volumes continue to rise, the energy demands placed on data centres grow in parallel. Scalability, therefore, is a key consideration. Backup power systems must be able to evolve with the facility. Modular generator systems, flexible controller architecture, and scalable monitoring platforms ensure that resilience is never compromised as capacity expands. At the same time, cost-efficiency must remain front of mind. Intelligent load management, remote diagnostics, and automated test cycles all contribute to lower running costs, longer equipment life, and improved sustainability. Conclusion Reliable, integrated backup power is not just a safety net for data centres – it’s a foundational pillar of operational continuity. With the right combination of robust hardware, intelligent controls, and comprehensive monitoring, facilities can ensure uptime, protect data integrity, and support uninterrupted service in an increasingly digital world. At DSE, we’re proud to help data centres across the globe achieve this with cutting-edge UK manufactured control solutions built for performance, precision, and peace of mind.

Next generation control technology

Deep Sea Electronics (DSE) presents an in-depth look at how its next-generation control platforms are revolutionising data centre backup power control: In the high-stakes world of data centres, where uptime is critical and power continuity is non-negotiable, the technologies used to control and monitor backup power systems must evolve to meet increasingly complex demands. DSE has responded to this challenge with its UK manufactured next-generation suite of control platforms – the G8 Series, 86xx MKII Series, and 335 MKII, all supported by its powerful DSEWebNet remote monitoring solution. These innovative platforms bring together advanced control functionality, flexible integration options, and intelligent monitoring to transform the way data centres manage their backup power infrastructure. Whether deployed in hyperscale environments or regional facilities, DSE’s next-generation technology delivers precision, resilience, and full situational awareness. The DSEG8 Series – paralleling without compromise At the core of DSE’s offering is the G8 Series, a cutting-edge advanced paralleling controller platform specifically engineered for complex backup power applications. With enhanced processing power, impressive I/O scalability, and advanced communications protocols, the G8 Series allows multiple generator sets to operate in perfect synchronisation, dynamically balancing load and optimising fuel use. For data centres requiring modular or scalable backup configurations, the G8 series offers plug-and-play expandability, seamless integration with switchgear, and support for advanced load shedding and demand-based control logic. Its intuitive interface and built-in redundancy protocols ensure that power delivery remains stable – even in failure scenarios. The G8 series also boasts enhanced cyber security features and encryption standards (IEC62443), helping data centres to stay compliant with IT security policies and protect against cyber threats. The DSE86 MKII Series – power meets simplicity The 86 MKII Series builds on DSE’s legacy of reliable control with an all-in-one solution that combines sophisticated functionality with ease of use. Designed for generator applications in both standby and prime power roles, the 86 MKII range offers built-in synchronising, load sharing, and generator-to-generator or generator-to-mains paralleling capabilities. Its flexible configuration options make it an ideal choice for data centre backup systems that need to strike a balance between performance and operational simplicity. With support for multiple communication protocols including Modbus, SNMP and CAN, the 86 MKII integrates smoothly into existing infrastructure while offering the tools needed to build a more resilient power environment. The DSE335 MKII – intelligent switching redefined No modern backup power system is complete without a reliable transfer switch controller, and the DSE335 MKII sets a new standard for intelligence and precision. Designed to manage the automatic transfer of power between two power sources (S1 & S2), the 335 MKII delivers seamless switching with options for closed transition – eliminating momentary interruptions that could impact sensitive equipment. Its advanced monitoring capabilities, built-in event logging, and remote access make it a vital component in high-availability environments. The 335 MKII is particularly well-suited to Tier III and Tier IV data centres, where power transfer accuracy and system transparency are essential. Remote visibility with DSEWebNet System control is no longer confined to on-site panels. With DSEWebNet, DSE’s cloud-based remote monitoring platform, data centre managers gain full visibility of their backup power systems from anywhere in the world. Whether monitoring live generator status, fuel levels, alarms, load demand or environmental conditions, DSEWebNet enables proactive maintenance and rapid response. Custom alerts and real-time dashboards keep stakeholders informed, while historical data and reporting tools support compliance, audits, and performance improvement initiatives. The secure architecture of DSEWebNet ensures that remote connectivity does not compromise system security – a critical consideration in data centre environments. Looking ahead As the data centre landscape continues to grow and evolve, the demand for smarter, faster and more integrated backup power solutions will only intensify. DSE’s next-generation control platforms are built with this future in mind – offering the tools, intelligence, and flexibility needed to support always-on digital infrastructures. From advanced paralleling multi-set control with the G8 series, to smart switching with the 335 MKII and real-time monitoring with DSEWebNet, DSE is redefining what’s possible in backup power control for data centres – and setting a new benchmark for resilience and reliability. Discover how DSE’s next-generation control technology can transform your data centre power strategy by getting in touch today. To speak with a DSE product expert, call +44(0) 1732 890099 or visit DSE's website.

Uni of Huddersfield academic awarded £450k, funding 6G research

University of Huddersfield academic Professor Pavlos Lazaridis has been awarded a £450,000 grant by the EPSRC (the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) to fund vital equipment to further his research into future 6G networks. The core equipment grant will fund three key hi-tech pieces: a 110 GHz vector network analyser, a 43.5 GHz signal generator, and a portable combined 50 GHz VNA and spectrum analyser. Together, they will seek to improve the University of Huddersfield's research capacity when it comes to higher frequency radio frequency systems that are related to next-generation technologies, including 5G/6G communications, metamaterials, satellite communications, and advanced sensor technologies. Professor Lazaridis, an expert in electronic and electrical engineering within the School of Computing and Engineering, leads the University’s Systems, Telecommunications, and Antenna Research Group (STAR). The equipment will be used in two ongoing international Horizon Europe projects he is collaborating on - namely ISAC-NEWTON and 6G-ICARUS. The former involves University of Huddersfield academics being part of a doctoral network training a new generation of experts in 6G networks. It is a Europe-wide project focusing on research into integrated sensing and communications for 6G and involves a total of 17 academic and industrial partners. The latter is a partnership of 22 organisations across Europe, the US, and Brazil that are investigating and improving on current technologies in order to address obstacles that 6G networks will face and to define the future wireless networks (FWNs). Professor Lazaridis comments, “These state-of-the-art instruments will tremendously increase our research capabilities and place us in the top of 6G research. We are grateful to the EPSRC.” The EPSRC, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. It invests in research and skills to advance knowledge, as well as supporting new ideas and transformative technologies. UKRI is a public body sponsored by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, designed to foster the research culture needed for research and innovation excellence.

The Wilmott Group joins Rehlko to advance critical power

The Wilmott Group, a UK provider of critical power projects and generator installations, has just announced that it has entered into a tentative agreement to be acquired by Rehlko (formerly Kohler Energy), a US-based manufacturer of power systems, generators, and energy solutions. The move marks a new chapter for the Wilmott Group and hopes to strengthen the company’s ability to deliver across data centres and other critical infrastructure sectors, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and utilities. As part of Rehlko’s EMEA operations, The Wilmott Group - including WB Power Services (WBPS) and Wiltech Acoustics - will gain access to expanded resources, global links, and new manufacturing and engineering capabilities. “This is a hugely exciting and pivotal moment for the Wilmott Group,” expresses Andy Wilmott, Co-CEO and Chairman of The Wilmott Group. “Rehlko shares our deep-rooted commitment to long-term customer value, innovation, and operational excellence - values that the Wilmott Group were founded upon back in 1983. By coming together, we are uniquely positioned to elevate our impact, delivering even greater levels of reliability and innovation to mission-critical operations across the UK and EMEA.” Through the acquisition, WBPS will partner more closely with Rehlko’s engineering teams to scale data centre projects. In addition, Wiltech Acoustics’ in-house acoustic manufacturing capabilities aim to enable shorter lead times and improved responsiveness to dynamic market demands. “The Wilmott Group’s dedication to creating long-term value with customers strongly complements Rehlko’s commitment to delivering innovative and reliable energy solutions,” claims Brian Melka, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rehlko. “In this new chapter for Rehlko, The Wilmott Group’s long history of success will bolster our data centre solutions across the UK and the rest of Europe.” For more from Rehlko (formerly Kohler Energy), click here.

Duos Edge AI to deploy edge data centres in Corpus Christi

Duos Technologies Group, through its operating subsidiary Duos Edge AI, a provider of edge data centre (EDC) solutions, has just announced the upcoming deployment of two new EDCs in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA. Scheduled to be delivered at the end of July 2025, the Corpus Christi EDCs will serve as central communications hubs for carriers delivering services to mobile operators, enterprises, local education, healthcare, and digital economy sectors while driving growth across the local market. In line with Duos Edge AI’s strategy to expand digital infrastructure in underserved and high-growth markets, with carrier integration and uninterrupted service, the initiative aims to remove key hurdles to edge connectivity while accelerating service readiness for regional partners. “Our Corpus Christi project highlights the speed, precision, and value of our Edge AI model,” claims Doug Recker, President and Founder of Duos Edge AI. “We’re delivering high-availability, localised computing power that enables fibre and network providers to scale efficiently and meet increasing demand at the edge. "We are bringing a state-of-the-art EDC solution to Corpus Christi to enable the major communications carriers to have an even more robust solution to the Corpus Christi market.” The Corpus Christi deployment is part of Duos Edge AI’s 2025 plan to deploy 15 EDCs nationwide across the US, incorporating modular design, rapid deployment, and a focus on bridging the digital divide. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

Gemtek first to achieve prplWare device certification

prpl Foundation member company Gemtek Technologies, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of wireless communication products and broadband systems, becomes the first to deliver prplWare-certified devices. By achieving the certification, Gemtek has evidenced that their devices will behave as expected by operators and that all applications will run consistently across all their prplWare devices. As a result, operators using Gemtek devices with certified prplWare firmware can manage devices spanning multiple generations and silicon platforms, sourced from various suppliers and running complex applications. “We are proud to see the first certification with Gemtek of what will be many certified devices in the future,” says Leonard Dauphinee, prpl Foundation President, MaxLinear VP, and CTO Broadband Group. “A device running prplWare provides a well-defined set of APIs and predictable behaviour for both the gateway and the applications that operators intend to run on the gateways they offer to their customers. CPE platforms are now being certified as authentic, fully-featured prplWare.” “At Gemtek, we are true believers in open standards and open source, as we fully share the vision and values of the prpl Foundation,” states Gemtek CEO James Lee. “By working closely with our broadband silicon partners and providing prplWare-certified devices across multiple SoC platforms to its customers, Gemtek can greatly accelerate time to market for operators. "As the number of RFPs specifying prpl-certified proposals continues to increase, we are proud to be the first to achieve prplWare device certification supporting acceleration and scalability. “The first two devices certified are a Multi-WAN Gateway, which supports Wi-Fi7 Tri-Band, XGS-PON/5G NR/10G Ethernet, based on MaxLinear silicon, and a Wi-Fi7 Tri-Band Gateway based on the Qualcomm Dragonwing platform." “We congratulate Gemtek on delivering the pplWare-certified, carrier-grade OSPv2 platform based on MaxLinear technology,” comments Puneet Sethi, Vice President of MaxLinear’s Network Infrastructure and Carrier Business. “With full Wi-Fi 7 certification, Tri-Band support, and multi-WAN readiness, this platform is primed for operator deployment. We’re proud to see the prpl Foundation ecosystem expanding rapidly and gaining strong traction among MaxLinear’s global customer base.” The certification follows the official release of the prplWare Certification Program earlier this year, with a standardised test plan and supporting test software on the CDRouter Test Platform from QA Cafe. “It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of prpl Foundation members, and Gemtek in particular, to get the first devices through the prplWare Certification programme,” concludes Tim Winters, QA Cafe CTO and Chair of the prpl Foundation Testing and Certification Working Group. “We look forward to more and more companies using certification to prove their devices will work the way operators expect and moving the open-source CPE industry forward.”

Aligned’s Phoenix data centre earns Three Green Globes

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, has announced its latest Phoenix data centre to receive the Green Globes for New Construction certification from the Green Building Initiative (GBI). Aligned’s PHX-06 data centre received a rating of Three Green Globes for its success in resource efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and improvements in occupant wellness. “As the global demand for AI and high-performance computing continues to accelerate, we’re continuously looking for new ways to increase the efficiency and sustainability of our data centres, even as we keep pace with and anticipate the growth of that demand,” states Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned. “GBI's third-party review of PHX-06 resulted in an award of [the] Three Green Globes certification, which is a testament to our relentless pursuit of sustainable excellence. "This recognition not only validates the exceptionally high standards we set for environmentally responsible design and construction, but also underscores our unmatched speed of delivery, which enables massive, future-proof scalability across the Americas. Despite continuous innovation and ever-higher standards, Aligned remains the highest certifying data centre in the programme.” Aligned's Three Green Globes achievement for PHX-06 was driven by factors like reduced water usage, efficient cooling, and 100% renewable power. Another contributing factor to its certification is the company’s Adaptive Modular Infrastructure (AMI), which uses standardised, prefabricated modules for various building components. AMI seeks to sustainably accelerate deployment timelines and minimise waste by relying on repeatable manufacturing processes that produce fewer components and cut down on Scope 3 emissions through reduced onsite construction. “Achieving this level of sustainability is an outstanding accomplishment and Aligned should be proud of the strategies applied to the design and construction of this facility,” comments Vicki Worden, GBI CEO. “We look to data centre owner-operators to be responsible stewards of the planet’s resources, and Aligned continues to demonstrate its leadership in sustainability with its exceptional outcomes in energy efficiency, water conservation, carbon emissions reduction, and occupant health.” Founded in 2004, GBI is an international nonprofit organisation and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer dedicated to improving the built environment’s impact on climate and society. GBI’s Green Globes third-party certification process involves a design and onsite assessment, evaluating environmental assessment areas including project management, site, energy, water, resources, emissions, and indoor environment. For more from Aligned, click here.