Materials and Components

• Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group already owns a majority stake in UK chip designer Arm 
• Now it is adding US chip developer Ampere Computing to its portfolio
• The catalyst, as in many cases these days, is AI and its infrastructure demands
• It would also g

A group of UK telcos led by Vodafone has launched a new bit of kit to keep the modem lights on during a power cut.

As the Future Network Programmes conclude, UKTIN is working with DSIT to reflect on the government-funded projects, outlining the key outcomes and the lessons learned to help improve future telecoms initiatives. 

New 'Ocelot' chip uses scalable architecture for reducing error correction by up to 90% and accelerating the development of real-world quantum computing applications.

• A new action plan will cast a wide net to keep malicious actors at bay
• An enhanced fund will help to pay for increased protection of Europe’s “vital interests”
• A fish-eye lens to focus on prevention, detection, deterrence, repair and sanctions
• Cable diplomacy

Nordic operator Telia and the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority have launched a pilot which involves using hydrogen to help keep mobile sites operating in power outages.

Google is expanding its Australia Connect initiative with two new subsea cables connecting Australia with Christmas Island.

The Bosun subsea cable, named after Christmas Island’s White-tailed “Bosun” tropicbird, will connect Darwin, Australia to the island which has onward connectivity to Singapore.

Where technology, policy and commerce converge

Hello, I’m Rafay Iqbal Ansari, a Technology Strategy Connectivity Consultant at WSP. We’re a  world-leading multi-disciplinary professional services consulting firm that supports significant projects in built and natural environments, and I consult on the company’s UK operations. 

• Research firm IDC predicts that datacentre electricity consumption worldwide will more than double between 2023 and 2028, reaching 857 terawatt hours.
• Increasingly power-hungry AI workloads are a major factor
• Rising electricity prices and growing carbon emissions add an urgency for d

• Research firm reports that fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) subs growth in UK is faster among altnets than major ISPs
• Altnets accounted for nearly 30% of retail UK FTTP connections at the end of Q2 2024; market leader BT had a 37% share
• Stinging rebuke for Virgin Media O2’s “premium pric

CommScope says operators are using new software to fuel lab tests of an upgraded, enhanced form of DOCSIS 3.1 that beefs up downstream speeds. Field trials are expected to begin later this year.

Google has announced a $1billion investment to expand its Central Pacific Connect Initiative, which includes delivering two new subsea cables, Proa and Taihei.

The Cables

Penn Engineers have developed a new chip that uses light waves, rather than electricity, to perform the complex math essential to training AI. The chip has the potential to radically accelerate the processing speed of computers while also reducing their energy consumption.