Cabling

Fused connectors increase system availability for data centres

IT systems are only ever noticed when they fail. The new Han Protect connector solution from HARTING, a German manufacturer of electrical and electronic connectors, cable assemblies, and industrial networking equipment, aims to help simplify troubleshooting in the event of failures. Large buildings like data centres require a Building Automation System (BAS) to control Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC), lighting, power supply, core IT, and security systems. The control cabinets for those subsystems are built with fused terminal blocks or circuit breakers to protect the automation devices against short-circuits or overcurrent. In the event of a short circuit, fixing the fault and finding the broken fuse is a time-consuming task that must be performed by expensive skilled workers. The fault may not even be in the switch cabinet, it could also be in the device itself. Both possibilities must therefore be checked and sometimes several control cabinets need to be examined before the fault can be isolated. With Han Protect, HARTING have developed a new connector that seeks to simultaneously simplify protection and reduce installation space in the control cabinet. Inside the connector (designed in the Han 3A format), there is an insulation body that adapts an M12A-coded five-pole connector and integrates a 5x20 mm miniature fuse. In the event of a short circuit, the fuse ensures that the supply to the connected units is quickly interrupted. A red LED on the Han Protect clearly identifies the blown fuse and should enable quick, simple, and tool-less replacement without opening the cabinet. Due to the external mounting of the housings, up to 30% of installation space for connectors can be saved inside the cabinet. The main advantage of Han Protect is that extensive fuse terminal blocks are no longer required. The control units remain protected while the connected systems can be started up again quickly. Some benefits include:• Increased system availability due to reduced Mean Time To Repair (MTTR).• Increased efficiency in maintenance due to visual identification of blown fuses outside of the control cabinets.• Space savings of up to 30% for control cabinets by eliminating extensive fuse terminal blocks inside of the control cabinet. For more from HARTING, click here.

Prysmian launches pre-terminated cable assemblies into UK

Prysmian, best known for its manufacture of power and data cable, used the Data Centre World exhibition in London to launch its wrap-around offer for digital communication within data centres. The product attracting the most attention was the company’s promise of bespoke, pre-terminated fibre assemblies, supplied to UK sites within days. This turnaround is reportedly down to the location and capacity of both cable and termination manufacturing sites in Europe. The offer is based on the G657 BendBright bend insensitive optical fibre, utilised in a variety of pre-terminated assemblies. Prysmian FlexRibbon fibre configuration provides Base 12 and Base 16 terminations onto MTP, SN, and MMC/MDC connectors. Pre-terminated assemblies using US Conec-certified MTP/MPO connectors are also available on short lead times. The Prysmian service team, based in the UK, says it is able to take specifications for bespoke cable assemblies using a range of single-mode and multi-mode optical fibres to service high bandwidth requirements. All products come with a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty. For more from Prysmian, click here.

Connectors for data centres can improve energy efficiency

Energy costs can account for more than 50% of the total operating expenses of a data centre. To calculate the exact effect of power usage from connectors in data centres, HARTING has compared the power consumption of three different connector solutions in its independently accredited test laboratory. One of the connectors tested was the HARTING Han-Eco. The other two were CEE (IEC 60309) plugs from different manufacturers. The results showed that the Han-Eco connector reduced power wastage by up to 50% by using low-impedance contacts. These contacts reduce the power lost in connections and significantly improve the Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) of data centres. As a result, one hyperscale data centre with 15,000 racks could achieve annual power consumption savings of around £100,000. Download your free whitepaper now to learn how HARTING connectors can improve your power usage efficiency (PUE) and reduce the lifetime costs of operating a data centre. For more from HARTING, click here.

Zayo Europe delivers Pan-European network to GNM

Zayo Europe, a Pan-European fibre infrastructure owner and operator, has today announced the delivery of a 100G wavelength network for fellow infrastructure provider GNM in five working days. The diverse network was built on Zayo Europe’s 800G-ready infrastructure, creating a low-latency route with the intention to enhance GNM’s European backbone and expand its presence in key regions. GNM supports a number of international clients, including Google, Vodafone, Telegram, and Roblox, which rely on stable and secure infrastructure across the continent. Alex Surkov, Head of Development at GNM, says, “Our focus is on constantly improving the diversity of our networks for our Pan-European client-base. This is exactly what this project with Zayo Europe does. Since our networks operate in different regions, we see strong potential to complement each other’s coverage and will work closely to explore collaboration opportunities that bring value to both companies and our clients.” Colman Deegan, CEO of Zayo Europe, says: “With the constant increase in bandwidth required to power the AI revolution and the move towards 6G, providing low latency, high-speed networks to securely share data has arguably never been more important. This is why we’re so open to working collaboratively with our peers to ensure the highest quality connectivity across the continent. “That GNM turned to us to deliver a 100G Wavelength route from Marseille to Amsterdam to drive connectivity for its vast client-base is testament to the work that’s been put in by the Zayo Europe team over the years. We’re already in talks with the GNM team on future collaborative projects and look forward to where the future takes us.” For more from Zayo Europe, click here.

Optical cable removes barriers to delivering 800G

A new proposal for long-haul optical network cables aims to ‘break through the glass ceiling’ of data transmission limits to ensure the ever-growing demands of data centres can be supplied. A new whitepaper from fibre cable experts Acome Group and Sumitomo Electric Industries says that existing optical fibre cables will only be able to meet the long-term transmission capacity needs of European data centres at a significantly higher cost and degraded environmental footprint. Conventional G.652.D optical fibres struggle to transmit data rates at and above 800 Gb/s over distances further than a few hundred kilometres. Over longer distances, such as between two data centres, signal regeneration or additional optical amplification is needed which adds complexity and costs for network owners. “With AI, cloud services, and the growth of hyperscale data centres dramatically increasing demand for bandwidth, telecom infrastructure must evolve to support high-capacity, long-distance transmission,” comments Xavier Renard, Telecom Marketing Director at ACOME. “It’s also crucial that we consider the longevity of the network. A network is not a static asset. It’s constantly evolving, so it’s essential that the fibre used is correctly selected to support future bandwidth over decades of use.” Acome and Sumitomo Electric have developed a new hybrid solution that aims to allow network operators to deploy a single, universal cable that supports both current and future network needs. Upgrading to 800G and above requires fewer repeaters to amplify the optical signals and can also avoid the need for signal regeneration. Their solution combines two existing fibre grades to provide a cable solution that should enable longer transmission distances, higher data rates per wavelength, and reduced infrastructure requirements – all of which are key enablers of energy-efficient, scalable, and future-proof optical transport networks. “PureAdvance fibres, compliant with ITU-T G.654.E, are contributing to evolve long-term network and transmission technologies. For example, combining G.654.E with G.652.D can maximise flexibility and futureproof the network,” adds Fumiyoshi Ohkubo, General Manager, Market Development & Engineering Department of Optical Fiber & Cable Division at Sumitomo Electric. This hybrid approach intends to create pathways for future upgrades to high-capacity, using coherent transmission, and enable a smoother migration to next-generation network architectures without needing full infrastructure overhauls.

ZOI to connect the Middle East and Europe

Zain Omantel International (ZOI), the Middle East's leading regional wholesale business with access to more than 20 international submarine cables in the region, has announced a partnership with Horizon Scope Telecom, Iraq's leading ICT solutions provider, and the Iraqi Telecommunications and Information Company (ITPC), a government-owned company under the Iraqi Ministry of Telecommunications and Iraq's leading connectivity company. This partnership enables ZOI to create a digital telecommunications corridor stretching from the Middle East to Europe through Iraq, offering alternative terrestrial connectivity options. The route will use terrestrial fibre connectivity that utilises Iraq’s position as a digital gateway, aiming to create more reliable services that are less susceptible to interruptions. It will pass through Turkey and make its way up to Frankfurt, Germany. The new corridor will act as an alternative to traditional subsea routes by bypassing some turbulent areas. The route is intended to enable international businesses, telecom operators, and hyperscalers to expand their reach via low-latency infrastructure, ensuring connectivity between the Middle East and Europe. “We are delighted to announce that, in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Hiyam Al-Yasiri, the Iraqi Minister of Communications, we have signed a strategic frame agreement with our partners Horizon Scope and ITPC to establish a new connectivity corridor from the Middle East to Europe. By combining ZOI’s pan-Middle East network with the robust infrastructure of Horizon Scope Telecom and ITPC, we’ve created a route that extends from Iraq into the heart of Europe,” says Sohail Qadir, CEO at ZOI. “By working together, we will enhance regional and international connectivity, offering higher capacity, security, and efficiency for businesses, operators, and hyperscalers across continents. This initiative aligns with our mission to bridge markets, drive digital transformation, and enable new growth opportunities, further reinstating ZOI as the global gateway for our region.” As a licensed ISP, Horizon Scope Telecom will facilitate direct peering with other networks and interconnection with global internet exchanges. With ZOI and ITPC, it seeks to improve speed and capacity and reduce latency for enterprises and hyperscalers looking to take advantage of Iraq’s rising presence as a regional hub. “We recognised ZOI and ITPC’s commitment to building resilient and seamless networks that empower global telecommunications through the identification of the world’s next global hubs,” comments Ahmed Abdulsalam, the Managing Director of Horizon Scope. “Offering alternative terrestrial connectivity routes is a critical way to protect against infrastructure vulnerabilities, ensuring that enterprises can capture more opportunities and scale with reliable connectivity.” “This partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening Iraq’s position as a connectivity corridor, especially by providing an alternative path to Europe. We are committed to delivering connectivity solutions that the people of Iraq can trust and use to enable seamless global connectivity. We’re excited to see this partnership succeed as we aim to foster economic growth for both local and international enterprises operating in and around Iraq,” states Ali Y. Dawood, the Director General of ITPC.

Subsea cable and data centre operator GCX to rebrand

Global Cloud Xchange (GCX) has today announced its rebrand to FLAG. With strong continued investment, FLAG looks to maintain its growth and status as one of the largest privately owned, global subsea cable operators. Following the rebrand, the company’s Managed Services division will continue to operate under its existing name of GCX Managed Services. FLAG provides end-to-end, high-speed digital connectivity services. These include flexible leased capacity, dark fibre and Layer 2 & 3 services for hyperscalers, telecom carriers, OTT content providers, new media providers and enterprises via an interconnected platform of seven subsea and six terrestrial cable systems. The company serves clients in over 180 countries, operating a diverse global network across key routes, powering the global telecommunications backbone with a unique infrastructure that spans Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the USA. This network ensures route redundancy and diversity for mission-critical dataflows, providing reliable connectivity and neutrality in hard-to-access regions, all while being engineered for optimal reliability, availability and continuity. To enhance the network capability and address the growing demand for data processing and storage, FLAG also provides modular data centres, offering scalable, resilient solutions for high-performance computing deployments where customers need it most, from the network edge to cable landing stations and across multiple geographies. “FLAG represents our renewed commitment to global connectivity," says Carl Grivner (pictured above), CEO of FLAG. "Working closely with our clients, we are constantly upgrading and expanding our network to stay at the forefront of technological developments and meet evolving market demands. This ensures our clients receive the most advanced connectivity solutions, enabling them to scale, secure and optimise their data in an increasingly interconnected world.” FLAG has shown strong year-on-year growth and has recently signed several material investments to enhance its Middle East and intra-Asia subsea capabilities. The rebrand is linked to FLAG’s focus on pursuing its long-term goals and prioritising investments across more geographies through subsea, edge data centres and cable landing stations. Overlaying these strategic pillars, FLAG is further developing its technology solutions to create customer-tailored propositions as demand for data traffic rises amid the growth in content, AI and digital services. The company will continue investing in digitisation to advance its customer offerings and deliver innovative solutions across the globe. Carl continues, “This rebrand of FLAG allows us to move forward with a clear vision and the flexibility to innovate and invest in our infrastructure in ways that provide unparalleled value to our customers and partners. With strong backing from our Board and 3i Infrastructure we are committed to delivering market-leading, high-performance solutions across the globe.” FLAG is run by a highly experienced management team, with Carl Grivner leading the company as CEO, supported by Brice Evin as CFO, Brad Kneller as CNO, Paul Abfalter as CS&RO, Nadya Melic as VP – Product and Marketing, and Asif Ghani – VP – Edge Data Centre Services. Both FLAG and GCX Managed Services will be jointly supported by the collective management team that includes Edward Parkin - General Counsel, Giancarlo Ferro - CIO, and MU Khan – VP of Human Resources.

Exclusive interview with Submarine Networks EMEA organisers

Ahead of the upcoming Submarine Networks EMEA 2025 event, taking place on 18-19 February at the Business Design Centre in London, Simon Rowley, Editor of DCNN, speaks with Harry Baldock, Editor of Total Telecom - the event's organiser - about what visitors can expect from this year's two-day show. DCNN: For our readers who may not be familiar with Submarine Networks EMEA, what can you tell them about the event? Harry: Submarine Networks EMEA is the largest annual subsea connectivity event, bringing together the over 1,000 senior leaders from across the industry for two days of networking and vibrant conference sessions. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London and attracts attendees from all over the world. Total Telecom has been hosting this event since 2018, during which time it’s gone from strength to strength, becoming a mainstay for the subsea community every year. DCNN: What are some of the biggest trends impacting subsea connectivity at present, and in what ways will these be reflected at the show? Harry: Personally, I think there are three big themes we’re seeing in the submarine cable space right now: security, geopolitics, and the recent boom in AI-powered data centre investment. Increasing security concerns, driven by the unstable global situation, are leading to tighter regulation and therefore more hurdles to be overcome when connecting cables to certain countries. This is leading to costly delays in planning and deployment – in some cases, sections of cable have already been built, but regulatory changes have left their owners unable to activate them. On the other hand, the booming data centre market is presenting many new opportunities for the subsea industry. All of these data centres will need global connectivity and their deployment is triggering a new wave of cable deployment, particularly in previously underserved areas. Other important topics include cable sustainability, maintenance, and recycling; cable deployment and repair ships; SMART cables (built with sensors to capture scientific data); subsea regulation; and training the next generation of professionals in this often-underappreciated industry. DCNN: How many exhibitors will be in attendance at this year's event, and what products or innovations will be showcased? Harry: There will be over 50 exhibitors at the show this year, showing off a wide variety of new projects and technologies. The core of the exhibitors, of course, are those showing cable system-related solutions – from landing station technology to the latest optical technologies. But there are many more players that play a role in a successful subsea cable project – for example, cable builders and operators, data centre operators, cable deployment experts, optical networking solutions providers, public sector officials, and national regulators. All of these will feature representation on the show floor at Submarine Networks EMEA. DCNN: The event will also include a jam-packed conference programme. What's in store for visitors this year, and what are expected to be among the highlights of these sessions? Harry: The telecoms and tech industries have become ever more interwoven in recent years, and this is clearly reflected in our conference agenda, which touches on everything from cable investment strategies to integrating sensing technologies. Our morning keynote sessions are always a major highlight; this year, our Day 1 keynote focuses on the privatisation of the submarine cable industry and the role of the hyperscalers, while Day 2’s will focus on the rapidly expanding data centre environment. On a personal level, as a journalist, I really enjoy the ‘News in Brief’ sessions – 10-minute updates on various cable projects around the world. They are always crammed with information. They also tend to include interesting anecdotes about overcoming challenges along the way, whether its decommissioning sea mines in the North Sea or having engineers canoe around the Norwegian fjords as part of the cable planning process! Lastly, a major goal for the event has always been to shed light on this niche industry as a career path and to help nurture the next generation of subsea professionals. Our Junior Top Dogs networking event, taking place on Day 2, is specifically designed to give students and other newcomers to the industry the opportunity to talk directly with industry veterans. You can check out our full agenda by clicking here. DCNN: Data centres are listed among the nine key themes that Submarine Networks EMEA will tackle. Could you expand on this notion and provide insight as to what visitors can expect with regards to this? Harry: As I’m sure your readers are aware, the data centre industry has been booming, with the hyperscalers pledging to invest billions of dollars in new data centre deployments in the coming years. Those same hyperscalers – like Meta, Google, and Microsoft – are also the key movers and shakers of the submarine cable industry, typically playing a leading role in the consortiums that build the submarine cables. The relationship between submarine cables and data centres is quite fundamental. More data centres being deployed globally will have major implications for the type and capacity of new cable systems deployed, and where these systems will interconnect with terrestrial networks. The Day 2 opening keynote focuses on this topic in detail, asking how the AI-driven data centre surge is impacting the subsea sector and what the two industries can learn from each other. DCNN: What are some of the biggest challenges in the subsea connectivity sector in 2025? Harry: As mentioned, cable security is a big challenge. We’ve seen lots of cable damage in key geopolitical hotspots in recent years – particularly the Red Sea, the Baltic Sea, and the waters around Taiwan – and, while accidental damage to cables happens every year, deliberate sabotage is suspected in a number of cases. Physically monitoring and defending such massive cables is a technical challenge of huge scope and financial cost, but one that the industry is under increasing pressure to solve. These security fears are, in turn, leaching into the regulatory landscape, which is at risk of becoming more intrusive and potentially obstructive to subsea projects. This is particularly the case in the US, where the Federal Communications Commission is currently reworking its submarine cable regulations for the first time since 2001! Just this month we have seen the UK government take steps in a similar direction, launching a subsea cable security enquiry this year and seeking to identify emerging threats in this space. As a result, submarine cable projects are likely to be more closely regulated, causing delays and additional expenses. In some cases, cable systems could be forced to circumvent some countries or bodies of water entirely. But the geopolitical uncertainty of the modern world is not all doom and gloom for the submarine cable industry. With national governments growing increasingly picky around how their international data is transported, opportunities to build new cables to meet these needs are beginning to arise. Greater submarine cable diversity means more choice for customers and reduces reliance on individual cables. DCNN: Is AI having a big impact on this sector, and if so, will this be a big theme throughout the event? Harry: I would describe AI’s effect on the sector as indirect but significant. As mentioned, AI is spurring a major investment in specialised data centres and seeing global data usage estimates increase massively. The submarine cable industry will have to adapt to this changing environment, though modern cables should be able to handle the predicted increase in data transport. Perhaps more interesting, the cable owners themselves are making increasing use of AI when planning and operating these systems, particularly regarding automation. This can deliver some huge cost-savings, enhance network monitoring, and support predictive maintenance. DCNN: What are the show's organisers most excited about heading into this year's exhibition? Harry: We’re thrilled to once again be at the heart of such a vibrant industry! We’re very lucky that the submarine cable industry is extremely collaborative by nature, and so great conversations are never far away. We’re looking forward to providing a forum for these discussions and helping the community tackle some of the biggest challenges in the sector today. DCNN: Is there anything else you'd like DCNN readers to know about? Harry: There is an oft-quoted figure in the industry that submarine cables carry over 95% of global internet traffic, but the vast majority of people do not even realise they exist. So, my message to readers would be: don’t forget about the submarine cable industry! It’s a huge, unseen part of our global digital fabric and becomes more diverse and broader in scope every year. Whether you’re dipping your toes into the submarine cable industry for the first time or you’re an industry veteran looking for a deep dive, Submarine Networks EMEA will put you at the heart of the industry. Submarine Networks EMEA will be taking place on 18–19 February at the Business Design Centre in London. If you’d like more information or want to get involved in Submarine Networks EMEA, please contact the event's Project Director, Laura O’Reilly, at laura.oreilly@totaltele.com.

Telxius enhances ultra-scalable global carrier ethernet service

Telxius, a global connectivity provider, has upgraded its Global Carrier Ethernet (GCE) service with flexible bandwidth options for businesses in the Americas and Europe. The service enables enterprises and service providers to maximise their investments with more bandwidth flexibility when connecting to key global hubs and cloud service providers. Telxius’ GCE service is supported by its global network spanning over 100,000km of submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls throughout the US, Latin America, and Europe, and is powered by Ciena’s advanced optical pluggables, instead of traditional transponders. It is a highly scalable and flexible service with bandwidth options ranging from 50Mbps to 100Gbps+, designed to meet the needs of demanding markets with ultra-low latency, high availability, and reliability. “At Telxius, we are constantly evolving our network with new and enhanced systems to better support our customers and accelerate digital transformation,” says Mónica Martínez, CMO at Telxius. “We offer enterprises and service providers with the flexible, seamless connectivity options they need to thrive in today’s bandwidth-hungry digital landscape, where user experiences have never been so important.” The solution is MEF 3.0 certified, supported by 14 high-capacity subsea cables: Firmina, Tikal (in progress), Mistral, Tannat, Junior, Dunant, Brusa, Marea, PCCS, SAm-1, EllaLink, Unisur, Est-Tet and Alpal-2, and provides connectivity to multiple points of presence (PoPs) globally. “Telxius continues to take strategic steps to promote the universal need for connectivity in its simplest form,” notes Fernando Capella, Regional Director of CALA South at Ciena. “With Ciena’s advanced optical technology, Telxius has the ability to reach beyond 100Gbps circuits across its existing submarine network, supporting the ever-increasing demands of global enterprises and service providers with ultra-low latency.” Telxius’ global network includes high-capacity fibre-optic submarine cables and terrestrial backhauls together spanning more than 100,000km, almost 100 PoPs in 17 countries, plus 27 data centres. On top of its Ethernet services, Telxius provides a wide range of additional capacity, IP, colocation, and security services for businesses to optimise their connectivity across the globe. For more from Telxius, click here.

R&M to support digitalisation of railway traffic

R&M, a Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks, is supporting the digitalisation of the railways. R&M is committed to sustainable infrastructure development through advanced cabling solutions for rail transport. With the modernisation of communications networks on the railway lines and in trains, railway companies are starting a new era, and passengers will be able to take advantage of seamless high-speed mobile connections in the future. Fibre optic cables will be laid along the railway lines and new antenna sites installed for future railway radio systems for the real-time transmission of large volumes of data. These radio systems connect trains with the traffic control systems in the railway’s own data centres via state-of-the-art railway control systems and new digital signal boxes. The aim of digitalisation is to make rail traffic even safer and more efficient in the future, and to further automate it. R&M has developed the RailCon programme for this application area, giving railway operators complete end-to-end solutions for their cabling infrastructures from a single source. The product portfolio covers the technical levels from plug connectors and wiring to network distributors and cabinet solutions in both indoor and outdoor versions. R&M designs infrastructure solutions based on decades of experience with outdoor solutions for communication technology and in the construction of fibre optic networks. Among other things, the RailCon programme supports the European Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), an important foundation for the further digitalisation of rail transport in the coming decades. The product portfolio includes the connectors of the HEC family developed by R&M. The outdoor connectors withstand harsh conditions such as changes of temperature, vibrations, dust, moisture, sunshine and electromagnetic fields. For example, the HEC connectors connect the active equipment of communication network installations in underground cable ducts, in outdoor installations or FRMCS radio systems with the fibre optic network. R&M also offers various splice/patch closures, IP68 housings and railway-specific, shielded multi-fibre cables manufactured in-house for cabling in buildings and tunnels, as well as aerial and underground cabling. Other modules are the modular optical distribution frames ODF PRIME and FOXS, the Polaris and LUNAR box families, and the CONEXIO portfolio for the wiring of FRMCS mobile radio sites. In addition to the product portfolio, the RailCon programme also includes a whole range of services. Cable assemblies, splice closures, distributors and boxes, racks and cabinets can be planned and pre-terminated on a customer or site-specific basis in order to reduce the installation effort on site. R&M implements customer-specific adaptations and special solutions quickly and reliably in order to inspire customers with convincing results. Support is provided for logistics, installation work, support for initial installation on construction sites as well as specific laboratory tests and approvals. For more from R&M, click here.