Read on to learn about this month’s major industry acquisitions, the latest in space and satellite technology, and all-new connectivity initiatives that the likes of AWS, Digital Realty, and SpaceX are bringing to the table.
Recent Acquisitions
AWS acquires 17 acres in Loudoun County for $32.5 million
This month, Amazon Web Services (AWS) sought to expand their footprint in North Virginia – the most highly concentrated data center location in the world – by acquiring 17.15 acres in Loudoun County.
The currently empty plot will likely be the grounds for a new AWS data center, adding to the cloud giant’s North Virginia colocation repertoire currently including facilities in Haymarket, Manassas, Ashburn, Chantilly, and McNair.
Marvell Technology to acquire Innovium for $1.1 billion
An addition to their staggering investment in the cloud is set to be made by Marvell Technology, as they prepare to acquire cloud and edge networking solutions company Innovium for $1.1 billion.
Tying in with their recent $10 billion purchase of Inphi, this deal will accelerate Marvell’s cloud growth by expanding their ethernet switching portfolio, and provide the Delaware-based firm with a much greater share in the surging cloud computing chip market.
I Squared Capital to acquire KIO Networks
Private equity firm I Squared Capital is preparing to acquire Mexico’s largest data center operator, KIO Networks, as part of a multi-billion dollar investment in global digital infrastructure.
Given the green light, I Squared Capital will take ownership of the leading Mexican ICT and data center firm’s eleven core campuses across Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Spain, as well as its eleven edge facilities in Mexico.
“Mexico is a core component of our Latin American strategy and this investment in KIO Networks continues our commitments to digital infrastructure, where we have committed over $3 billion across six investments around the world,” said Adil Rahmathulla, Managing Partner, I Squared Capital said in a recent press release.
The Latest in Space
ArianeSpace launches two telecommunications satellites into orbit
ArianeSpace has recently launched two telecommunications satellites from Guiana Space Center in French Guiana for clients, Embratel and Eutelsat.
The satellites were developed in conjunction with Airbus Defence and Space and the European Space Agency (ESA), and will unlock opportunities for greater transmission of data through space.
“The new satellites will expand our operations with clients in the region and will provide more capacity for data transmission in general and for our cellular telephony structure (backhaul), helping in the expansion of mobile services,” José Formoso, CEO of Embratel, said in a recent press release.
SpaceX to purchase IoT satellite firm Swarm Technologies
According to an FCC filing, SpaceX is planning to acquire Swarm Technologies, an IoT satellite firm currently planning to launch a constellation of 150 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide communication with IoT devices.
With the launch apparently well underway, SpaceX will be able to leverage Swarm’s intellectual property and expertise which they have developed since establishment in 2016.
SpaceX have also been busy building a satellite base station of their own located in the Isle of Man, and are now in the final stages of gaining a license to build the infrastructure.
SpaceLink to test gigabit satellite tech on International Space Station
SpaceLink is an up-and-comer in the space technology industry, having been selected to test its satellite communication relay technology on the International Space Station (ISS).
The US-based startup will test its 10 Gbps optical terminal to provide real-time voice, video, and data exchange between ISS crew, onboard systems, experiments, and terrestrial users.
SpaceLink’s CEO, David Bettinger said in a press release, “Our demonstration on the ISS is the first step to improving SpaceLink’s capabilities to advance space science and the emerging space economy.”
New Colocation & Connectivity Initiatives
Digital Realty outlines next-generation interconnection initiative
August also saw Digital Realty outline its next-generation interconnection initiative, which is set to lay the foundation for the network industry’s open fabric-of-fabrics.
Working with Zayo, Digital Realty is striving to unleash trapped value and remove legacy barriers to digital transformation by more closely aligning with the hybrid IT and security considerations of multinational enterprises.
“As businesses continue to shift globally towards hybrid IT to enable new digital workplace models, create new lines of business, and control costs, Zayo and Digital Realty are in an excellent position to enable customers’ growth through a shared interest in globally secure, software-defined interconnection,” said Brian Lillie, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Zayo, in a press release.
Data center park planned for India; supported by the Uttar Pradesh government
It’s been revealed that the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is planning to develop a data center park in the Noida district of India.
The 200-acre park will be supported by the state government, who will help subsidize up to 60% of investor loans, 25% of land purchases, and provide stamp duty exemptions or reductions.
At least thirty domestic and international IT companies are believed to have already expressed interest in investing in the park, which is surely a positive sign of the growth that is to come from the Indian colocation market.
With so many advances being made across all facets of the industry – from satellite technology to colocation – the network opportunities that your organization can tap into this month are tremendous.
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