News

Raxio Group achieves certification for DRC data centre

Raxio Group has announced that its 1.5MW data centre in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has successfully achieved the Tier Certification of Constructed Facility (TCCF) from Uptime Institute. Raxio states that the certification reaffirms its commitment to delivering world-class, reliable, and high-performance data centre infrastructure across Africa. The Tier III certification process involved a rigorous four-day, on-site evaluation conducted by Uptime Institute engineers. Every aspect of the facility’s design and construction was thoroughly tested, inspected, and verified to ensure full compliance with Tier III standards. Successfully passing every test validates that the facility has been built entirely in accordance with the approved design documents, underscoring Raxio’s technical expertise and dedication to quality. “Achieving the TCCF for our DRC data centre is a significant milestone for Raxio Group,” says Robert Saunders, CTO at Raxio Group. “This certification not only demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of our team in overcoming many challenges, but also reinforces our commitment to building and operating state-of-the-art data centres in emerging markets.” Raxio says that the achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of its engineering team, whose technical leadership was instrumental in securing this certification. Additionally, the Project Management Office team played a crucial role in overseeing construction efforts, the company tells us, while the local Technical Operations team ensured the facility was ready for the Uptime Institute’s rigorous testing. With this latest certification, Raxio now boasts three Tier III certified facilities across its growing portfolio, further solidifying its reputation as a leading provider of cutting-edge data centre solutions in Africa. For more from Raxio Group, click here.

Nokia to upgrade New York Internet Exchange

Nokia and DE-CIX, an Internet Exchange (IX) operator, have announced the upgrade of the backbone network for DE-CIX New York, the largest IX in New York and in the US north-east region. The DE-CIX backbone will be upgraded to 400 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) using Nokia optical technology and redesigned in a ring topology, redundantly interconnecting the 10 data centre facilities where DE-CIX infrastructure is housed and enhancing the resiliency of the platform for all participants. The Nokia optical solution also enables 800GE support for anticipated further growth of the IX and employs Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexer (ROADM) technology to ensure much greater routing flexibility, faster reaction times in the case of incidents, and a seamless customer experience without any service interruptions. Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX, says, “When we began planning the upgrade of our New York backbone, we wanted to simplify our network, while also increasing the resilience of the platform. We took a detailed look at the options in the market, and Nokia was the best choice for us. We have worked with Nokia globally for more than 10 years now, and the capacity, reliability, and innovative strength of their hardware has always impressed us.” Within a dense wavelength-division multiplexing (DWDM) system, the ROADM technology in Nokia’s 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS) makes it possible to automatically re-route waves at the optical layer in any direction around the backbone. This means that incidents at any location in the network can be mitigated more rapidly and less capacity is required at the IP layer to guarantee the same level of resilience. James Watt, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Nokia’s optical business, comments, “In today’s connected world, staying resilient and ready to scale is a must. This upgrade to DE-CIX New York’s backbone isn’t just about supporting the largest Internet Exchange in the north-east - it’s about shaping the future of connectivity in one of the world’s biggest markets. With Nokia’s cutting-edge optical tech, we’re ensuring networks are flexible, reliable, and ready to handle whatever comes next. Together with DE-CIX, we’re building the foundation for a limitless digital future.” Ed d’Agostino, Vice President DE-CIX North America, adds, “This upgrade, powered by Nokia’s optical technology, allows us to future-proof our platform to best serve the New York market and start 2025 on track for further growth. With the number of data centres that we integrate, it is imperative that we have a state-of-the-art transport network with scalable capacity. DE-CIX New York is the largest IX in New York and the youngest Internet Exchange in the Top 5 largest IXs in the US. The platform covers an area spanning Long Island to the East and Piscataway and Edison to the South and West. It connects over 265 networks from across the city, with an infrastructure that spans over 40 data centres served. DE-CIX New York is connected to all other DE-CIX locations in North America, enabling remote peering and access to a vibrant ecosystem of networks not present in other local exchanges. The DE-CIX Internet and Cloud Exchanges in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Richmond, Houston, and Phoenix, and the dedicated Cloud Exchange in Seattle, form the largest carrier and data centre neutral interconnection ecosystem in North America. Further, DE-CIX New York is directly connected to DE-CIX’s locations in Europe – e.g. DE-CIX Frankfurt, the largest IX in Europe – and beyond. Globally in 2025, the 30th year since the operator’s establishment, DE-CIX offers its interconnection services in close to 60 locations across Europe, Africa, North and South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Accessible from data centres in over 600 cities worldwide, DE-CIX interconnects thousands of network operators (carriers), Internet service providers (ISPs), content providers and enterprise networks from more than 100 countries, and offers peering, cloud, and other interconnection services. In addition to this announcement, Nokia will host a webinar together with DE-CIX and 650 Group on the topic of Rewiring the Future: Conversations on Networking for an AI-Driven World. Interested parties can join Rodney Dellinger, CTO of Webscale, Nokia, Dr. Thomas King, CTO of DE-CIX, and Alan Weckel, co-founder and Principal Analyst of 650 group, as they discuss what’s needed for the success of GenAI and how the network needs to evolve to deliver these services to the end users. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

AddOn Networks to showcase new transceivers

Businesses within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and beyond will gain the bandwidth required to support the latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) developments, as AddOn Networks brings its new 400G and 800G transceivers to Ai Everything 2025. Exhibiting at the event – which takes place in Dubai on 5-6 February – AddOn Networks will be demonstrating products and innovations capable of reducing the demands on existing infrastructure within the region to help businesses handle the surge in demand for AI. “The Middle East has rapidly emerged as a significant global hub for data centres, with AI at the forefront of this evolution,” says AddOn Networks Vice President of Sales, EMEA and India, Sam Walker. “As nations continue to make significant investments regarding data centre infrastructure, AddOn Networks can offer solutions designed to support the AI revolution at a fraction of the price of larger Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs).” The UAE continues to diversify its economy away from oil, with significant investments from companies involved in AI technologies made in recent years. Despite this, demand for AI services now outpaces supply; an issue set to worsen as businesses turn towards hyperscale operations that require immense storage frameworks and processing power. Elsewhere, in Saudi Arabia’s ‘Vision 2030’, which is the Kingdom’s $100 billion (USD) AI initiative, 66 of the 96 goals outlined by the country relate in some form to data storage and AI. As these Kingdoms attempt to expand their offerings in non-oil sectors and industries, AddOn Networks has launched the new 800G OSFP 2XFR4 transceiver to simplify massive-scale data centre deployments. The 800G OSFP 2XFR4 offers an extended reach of up to 2 kilometres, and integrates ubiquitous duplex LC connectors to reduce both lead times and the complexity of the structured cabling used in data centres. AddOn Networks will also exhibit its full line of AI transceivers, including its OSFP 2xSR4 and OSFP 2xDR4 transceivers - the first third-party 800G optics specifically designed to meet the needs of AI-enhanced networks. Alongside these cutting-edge 800G solutions, AI Everything will also feature the 400G QSFP112 SR4 and 400G QSFP112 DR4 transceivers, which deliver high-performance connectivity critical for GPU server applications. All transceivers provided by AddOn Networks are compatible - and can be seamlessly integrated with - all major NEM platforms used in the region, including Nvidia, Arista, and Juniper. “The global competition to be first to market for AI-fuelled services is intense,” Sam continues. “Data centre operators require greater choice, but without compromise, to ensure their AI deployments go to market on-time and on-budget. AddOn Networks transceivers are built on a foundation of quality components and 100% performance, rigorous testing to ensure not only host compatibility, but interoperability between network equipment gear. As a result, we are in the best position to support customers within the region.” AddOn Networks will be at stand H3-G20 during the Ai Everything exhibition. For more from AddOn Networks, click here.

OADC Texaf - Kinshasa achieves certification milestone

In what is reportedly a first for the DRC, Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Texaf - Kinshasa has announced the attainment of three prestigious certifications: ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and PCI DSS. The company says that the achievement underscores its steadfast commitment to delivering secure, resilient and world-class digital infrastructure services in the DRC that meet stringent global standards. ISO 27001, the globally recognised standard for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), validates that OADC Texaf - Kinshasa has implemented robust measures for its information security management, demonstrating its ability to reassure clients of its information security integrity. This certification also underpins the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Certification. PCI-DSS compliance establishes OADC Texaf - Kinshasa as a trusted partner for the financial services and payments industry. This globally recognised certification demonstrates adherence to stringent payments, industry security protocols and controls, playing a key role in transforming the DRC’s financial and payments ecosystem. It also provides critical reassurance in meeting the growing demands for financial inclusion among the DRC population. Finally, ISO 22301 certification; the Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) ensures uninterrupted service delivery and rapid recovery from unforeseen disruptions, providing clients with critical assurances of operational excellence and resilience - a cornerstone of trust and reliability for business demanding the utmost in operational integrity. Mohammed Bouhelal, Managing Director of OADC Texaf - Kinshasa, remarks, “Achieving ISO 27001, ISO 22301 and PCI DSS certifications is a testament to our unwavering dedication to operational excellence and client-centric service delivery. These milestones position OADC as a leader in secure and resilient digital infrastructure, supporting the growth of the DRC’s digital economy and fostering trust among local and international businesses.” These certifications hold significance for OADC Texaf - Kinshasa’s diverse clientele, the company states, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecommunications carriers, enterprise clients, banks and other financial services companies. By meeting and exceeding global standards, OADC Texaf - Kinshasa strengthens the foundation for secure and reliable digital services, enabling innovation and economic growth across the region. This achievement also bolsters the DRC’s position as an emerging hub for digital infrastructure in Africa, attracting foreign investment and fostering confidence in the country’s digital transformation journey. As the demand for secure, resilient and compliant data centre services grows, OADC Texaf - Kinshasa remains at the forefront, setting benchmarks for excellence and shaping the future of the digital economy in the DRC and central Africa. For more from OADC, click here.

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.

Immersion cooling OCP completed at Stellium data centre

Stellium Datacenters, a colocation operator and provider of data centre infrastructure innovations, has announced the launch of an Open Compute Project (OCP) Proof of Concept at its HPC hyperscale data centre near Newcastle. This follows the integration phase of an immersion cooling system into Stellium’s OCP-Ready certified infrastructure in collaboration with Submer and its partners. Based on OCP design and engineering protocols, Submer’s installation represents the first ORv3 showcase deployed in Europe, a specification within the broader OCP concept that focuses on rack design and power supply regulation. In combination with ExxonMobil’s DC 3235 Super fluid, the compute is powered by MiTAC’s Capri 2 servers with AMD CPUs and server components provided by Circle B. Other key contributions to the project so far include TE Connectivity busbars, Murata power shelves, an Edge-Corenetwork switch, and FormericaOE immersion fibre cables. “As one of the first OCP-Ready data centres in the UK, Stellium is delighted to be at the heart of this significant engineering achievement, which is being followed with great interest by existing and prospective customers,” says Ed Bissell, Sales & Marketing Director, Stellium Datacenters. “With Submer and our OCP Partners, we are leading the way in immersion cooling technology capable of cost-effectively addressing the exponential cooling demands of high performance AI and ML computing. Our joint collaboration is an exemplar of how to achieve this goal and without compromise when it comes to reliability, processing performance and energy efficiency.” Oriol Chavanel, Submer Ecosystem Enablement Tech. Lead & OCP Lead, adds, “For Submer, having finally deployed this configuration this offers an opportunity to show an ORv3 configuration to current and future end customers. For those who are considering Immersion OCP-related solutions, visiting the facility will allow them to see a real hyper-converged set-up.” Steve Helvie, VP of Emerging Markets, Open Compute Project, comments, “We are excited to see this collaboration between OCP Members, Stellium Datacenters, Submer, MiTAC, Exxon Mobil, AMD, Murata and other key partners, driving innovation through this Proof of Concept for immersion cooling. Efforts like these exemplify the power of the Open Compute Project community working together to advance sustainable, energy-efficient solutions for the data centre industry. By working together to explore new approaches, these partners are not only validating cutting-edge technologies, but also contributing to the evolution of open infrastructure to meet the demands of a rapidly growing market.” Stellium, Submer, OCP Partners and OCP representatives will be hosting an open day at Stellium’s data centre on 12 February to showcase the immersion cooling installation to existing and prospective customers. For more from Stellium, click here.

Yondr Group holds ground-breaking for Toronto data centre

Yondr Group, a global developer, owner and operator of hyperscale data centres, has held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of work on site for its 27MW Toronto data centre. The project, which Yondr is building on a 4.5-acre site, is the company’s first development in Canada. It forms part of Yondr’s global expansion, as the business continues to deliver reliable and resilient data centre capacity at speed and at scale, with projects currently completed or in progress in North America, Europe and Asia. The ground-breaking in Toronto follows the completion of the company’s 48MW data centre project in Northern Virginia, and the first ready for service (RFS) milestone for the company’s 40MW Frankfurt data centre last November. The ceremony was attended by Councillor Shelley Carroll of Don Valley North, who gave a speech highlighting the city’s thriving digital economy and emphasised Toronto’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and talent. The event also brought together key stakeholders all united in their vision of building a more connected and future-proofed Toronto. Situated in a strategic location within Canada’s emerging data centre hub, the project comprises a three-storey, 27MW data centre, which is scheduled to achieve RFS by mid-2026. The project has been designed by Yondr to follow the Toronto Green Standard, the city’s sustainable design and performance requirements for new developments, and this aligns with the company’s environmental goals and target for achieving net zero for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030. The building will feature a closed loop cooling design, which means once the chilled water loop is filled, the facility will not need to consume water for cooling. Once completed, the project will have bike parking, electric vehicle charging points and will open up pedestrian walkways. The environmentally friendly landscaping plan will have native and pollinator plants, and the building’s glass will be bird-friendly, helping birds to see the building as a barrier and avoid collisions. As part of its social impact initiatives, Yondr has partnered with the University of Toronto to fund a scholarship programme. ‘The Yondr Group Scholarship’ will be available to undergraduate students at the university entering courses in Computer Science, the Rotman Commerce business programme, Life Sciences, or Mathematical & Physical Sciences. Successful applicants will receive $5,000 per year for five years, with the first awards being made to students starting their studies at the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year this coming autumn. Kent Andersson, Program Controls Director for the Americas at Yondr Group, says, “Our Toronto data centre forms a key part of our strategy for North America, where there is an urgent need to increase capacity to support the digital economy. This project will play a key role in providing the infrastructure needed to support cutting-edge cloud computing and connectivity, and enable the development of AI and future technologies in Canada and beyond. “We would like to thank the Canadian authorities, including the City of Toronto and our strategic partners, for supporting a positive approach to bringing this project from concept to site, and I look forward to seeing the data centre take shape on site over the coming months.” For more from Yondr Group, click here.

LINX IXP in Jeddah completes capacity upgrades

The London Internet Exchange (LINX) has completed its 100G capacity upgrade project in Jeddah, following an increase in customers and port demands at the interconnection hub in KSA. LINX has been powering Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) for Center3, its strategic partner in Saudi Arabia, since 2018. Jeddah was the first port of call for this deployment and since then, LINX peering services have gone live in Riyadh and teams are preparing to deploy in Dammam this year. Jeddah is one of the main landing stations for subsea cables in the Middle East, distributing global content locally and providing convenient onward connectivity to Asia, Europe and Africa. The IXP in Jeddah creates a neutral and central meeting point in the MG1 (MENA Gateway) data centre for carriers, cloud, content providers, enterprise networks and more to peer their network traffic locally and improve end user online performance. The IXP also offers lower latency, increased control and resilience, and increased security and redundancy. Halil Kama, Regional Director for LINX in the Middle East, comments, “We are pleased to be upgrading our internet exchange capacity with an additional 16x 100G port capability due to customer demand in Jeddah. This enhancement further strengthens Jeddah’s role as a digital gateway, ensuring faster, more efficient connections for networks and users across the region.” With regular traffic peaks over 650Gbps, networks connected into the IXP in Jeddah need to ensure their ports have the capacity to cope with the spikes in online traffic often generated by sporting events or gaming upgrades. There were 36.84 million internet users in Saudi Arabia in January 2024, with an impressive internet penetration rate of 99% of the total population at the start of 2024. Additionally, Kepios analysis indicates that internet users in Saudi Arabia increased by 527,000 (1.4%) between January 2023 and January 2024. The rapid evolution of the digital scene in Saudi Arabia is fuelled by its Vision 2030 strategy. The growth in sports and event tourism has generated a greater need for lower latency streaming solutions, and with talks that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) could acquire a minority stake in sports streaming service, DAZN, this demand is set to continue to increase. AWS has also just announced Jeddah as a new CloudFront Edge location and plans to invest more than $5.3 billion (£4.3bn) in the long term to develop Saudi Arabi as an AWS cloud region. With an increase in partnerships, investments and services comes a further demand for capacity and continued and reliable low latency interconnection solutions. For more from The London Internet Exchange, click here.

Broadband Forum tests interoperability of fibre technologies

Device vendors recently advanced the adoption of high-speed fibre connectivity technologies at a Broadband Forum 'Plugfest' event hosted by CableLabs in Louisville, Colorado. Plugfest brought together leading companies from the fibre sector to test the readiness of their XGS-PON and 25GS-PON technologies and ensure the interoperability of fibre products connecting homes to broadband service providers’ core networks. “Plugfests are a vital tool that help device vendors overcome compatibility worries,” says Craig Thomas, Broadband Forum's CEO. “The goal of this and future Plugfests is to ensure that all broadband service providers are ready for the next generation of fibre connectivity, regardless of whether they are deploying GPON, XGS-PON, 25GS-PON, 50G-PON technologies or those beyond.” Participating companies included Askey Technology, AVM, Calix, CIG, Comtrend, Cortina Access, Evolution Digital, Gemtek Technology, Harmonic, Hitron Technologies, MT2, Nokia, Sagemcom Broadband SAS, Sercomm, TraceSpan Communications, and Vantiva. These organisations tested the interoperability of their systems to ensure fibre equipment can deliver the high-quality connectivity experience consumers expect. Leveraging the results of their tests, vendors are well positioned to enhance the interoperability of their products, driving greater industry collaboration and innovation. Additionally, feedback from participating vendors was instrumental in refining Broadband Forum’s test plans, ensuring continued improvement and success at future testing events. Test case categories included 25GS-PON TC-PM and XGS-PON OMCI, guided by Broadband Forum’s TR-309 Issue 3: PON TC Layer Interoperability Test Plan and TR-255 Issue 2: G-PON & XG-PON & XGS-PON Interoperability Test Plan documents. “The industry recognises the importance of ensuring interoperability between fibre network equipment and the recent event yielded encouraging results,” comments CableLabs Vice President of Wired Technologies, Curtis Knittle. “Our labs are ideal for hosting Plugfests because we provide state-of-the-art testing equipment and expertise, which enables collaboration and interoperability testing in a secure, neutral environment.” The next PON Plugfest, scheduled for 24-28 February 2025, will be hosted by AT&T Labs and LANPARK at the AT&T Broadband Labs in Plano, Texas. It will focus on 25GS-PON and 50G-PON (HSP) test case categories. Another event is planned for summer 2025 at LANPARK’s test laboratory. Registration for the February PON Plugfest is now open. For more information or to register, click here. For more from Broadband Forum, click here.

Portus Data Centers partners with Megaport

Portus Data Centers has announced a strategic partnership with Megaport, a Network as a Service (NaaS) provider based in Luxembourg. Megaport, which is actively seeking to expand across Europe, has deployed a point of presence (PoP) at Portus Data Centers Munich, allowing joint customers to benefit from wider reach and enhanced connectivity capabilities in Central Europe. “We’re thrilled to be working with Megaport in our Tier IV data centre in Munich to expand their global reach on our high-performance data centre infrastructure,” says Adriaan Oosthoek, Chairman at Portus Data Centers. “Now, we can provide more customers in Germany with Megaport’s wide range of connectivity solutions to drive business growth. This is aligned with Portus’ commitment to meeting the growing requirements of our customers who require maximum availability and agility to ensure their competitive edge.” Michael Reid, CEO of Megaport, adds, “Expanding to so many new European locations alongside such exceptional partners allows us to bring the network revolution further into Europe, giving new customers the ability to supercharge their business and build connections in less than 60 seconds.” Portus Data Centers Munich has been providing high quality, carrier-neutral edge colocation services throughout Germany and the surrounding regions since 2020. Located 9 miles from Munich city centre, the Portus facility enables enterprise customers and service providers to operate sustainable high-performance, low-latency IT infrastructure effectively and efficiently, supported by a responsive and skilled on-site engineering support team. For more from Portus Data Centers, click here.