Nokia strengthens five-year partnership with Microsoft Azure, enhancing datacentre scalability and reliability across 30+ countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Nokia has extended its multi-year agreement with Microsoft Azure by an additional five years, focusing on supplying datacentre routers and switches

This collaboration will leverage Nokia’s data centre networking portfolio to enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure datacentres globally. Through this partnership, Nokia will expand its presence to over 30 countries, solidifying its position as a key supplier for Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure.

The agreement also builds on the companies’ existing partnership around open-source SONiC. Nokia continues to innovate in SONiC capabilities, particularly in supporting high-capacity network roles within chassis-based datacentre environments.

As part of the initiative, Nokia will provide its 7250 IXR-10e platform for multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsoft’s datacentres. Nokia will also maintain its delivery of a custom-developed top-of-rack switch extensively used across the Azure network. These SONiC-based routers and switches will support greenfield deployments and Microsoft’s transition from 100GE to 400GE connectivity in existing facilities. This shift ensures Microsoft can address rising traffic demands with Nokia’s high-performance, reliable networking solutions. Deployments of the 7250 IXR-10e will commence in February.

Vach Kompella, senior vice-president and general manager of Nokia’s IP Networks business, commented, “We are pleased to move to the next phase of our relationship with Microsoft by expanding the agreement’s product scope, geographical reach, and time commitment to five years. As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure datacentres around the world. This win affirms Nokia's commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory.”

David Maltz, technical fellow and corporate vice-president, Microsoft Azure Networking, added, “As leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads. Over the past six years, we have worked with Nokia's engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand.”

Rami Osman, director for business development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa. (Image source: MediaTek)

MediaTek, a leading fabless semiconductor company powering nearly two billion connected devices annually, has partnered with RIOT Network, a South African community mobile broadband provider, to successfully integrate MediaTek’s Filogic 830 chipset into RIOT’s second-generation CROWDNet Core Nodes

The deployment of these CROWDNet nodes has enabled RIOT Network to achieve its goal of providing uncapped internet for an affordable R99 per month while maintaining profitability. In collaboration with Sonke Telecommunications, the network has connected over 800 households and 5,000 users in Olievenhoutbosch to unlimited Wi-Fi services.

RIOT Network focuses on delivering high-speed, uncapped Wi-Fi to townships and underserved areas. Its innovative CROWDNet Nodes empower community members to act as operators of key network devices, earning a share of the revenue from neighbours who use the service.

By leveraging MediaTek Filogic 830, CROWDNet offers cost-effective, last-mile broadband solutions to communities where traditional fibre or tower deployments are not feasible. The MediaTek Filogic 830 is a high-performance SoC designed for routers, repeaters, access points, and mesh networking devices. This energy-efficient, Wi-Fi 6-ready platform enables manufacturers to incorporate robust applications into their devices.

“The MediaTek Filogic 830 chipset delivers a unique balance of high performance and cost-efficiency, allowing us to keep operational costs low while maximising network reliability and speed,” said Jarryd Bekker, CEO of RIOT Network. “This combination of affordability and sustainable business growth is pivotal to our vision of expanding digital access in underserved communities. Our work in Olievenhoutbosch near Centurion demonstrates the power of reliable, affordable internet, creating new opportunities for economic and social engagement.”

“With each new connection, RIOT Network is highlighting the role of innovative fixed-wireless solutions in extending broadband access and improving digital inclusivity,” added Rami Osman, director for business development, MediaTek Middle East and Africa. “We look forward to supporting RIOT in building a future where high-quality internet is accessible and impactful for all.”

Vodacom calls on communities to help protect base stations from rising battery theft and vandalism ahead of the festive season. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Vodacom has observed an alarming rise in battery theft and vandalism at its base stations, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Northern Gauteng

These regions alone accounted for 40% or more of such incidents in September. Such criminal activities disrupt connectivity for thousands of South Africans, affecting individuals, small businesses, and emergency services in remote areas.

Johan van Graan, chief risk officer at Vodacom Group, highlights the broader implications: "Battery theft and vandalism at our base stations continues to be a huge challenge for the telco sector. The consequences go beyond the costs of repairing and restoring infrastructure. They have a significant impact on communities that depend on connectivity as a vital lifeline."

The telco industry also faces a surge in cable theft, driven by soaring copper prices. This crisis has disrupted essential services, including hospitals, railways, and telecommunications. Vodacom has responded by hardening its sites, deploying Artificial Intelligence for early detection, and working closely with law enforcement and private security firms.

"While we have invested significantly in boosting our security measures at our base station sites, we acknowledge that the fight against vandalism and theft is ongoing with crime syndicates finding new ways to carry out their illegal operations. That is why we are appealing to all stakeholders, from law enforcement to communities, to play a part in curbing these offences," added Van Graan.  

He further explains the role of local partnerships: "Our community engagement initiatives, where we work with residents and community policing forums, have been instrumental in safeguarding sites. These partnerships, combined with the use of technology, have led to successful arrests and prosecutions, sending a strong message to criminals."

Vodacom’s efforts include raising public awareness about the consequences of site vandalism, emphasising how it affects connectivity, disrupts emergency services, and impedes rural network expansion. The company remains committed to collaborating with communities to address these challenges and protect critical infrastructure. These crimes not only disrupt everyday life but also divert resources that could improve South Africa’s digital future.

Vertiv outlines transformative trends shaping power, cooling, sustainability, cybersecurity, and AI in the data center industry for 2025. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform the data centre landscape. Vertiv, a leading provider of digital infrastructure solutions, has outlined key trends for 2025.

These include advancements in high-density computing, intensified focus on sustainability, regulatory attention on AI applications, and evolving cybersecurity strategies.

Vertiv’s CEO, Giordano (Gio) Albertazzi, emphasised the accuracy of their 2024 predictions about AI’s impact on cooling strategies. “With AI driving rack densities into three- and four-digit kWs, the need for advanced and scalable solutions to power and cool those racks, minimise their environmental footprint, and empower these emerging AI Factories has never been higher,” Albertazzi said. “We anticipate significant progress on that front in 2025, and our customers demand it.”

Power and cooling innovations

The industry is adapting to challenges posed by compute-intensive workloads. As AI shifts reliance from CPUs to GPUs, power and cooling systems face mounting pressure. According to Vertiv, “Advanced computing will continue to shift from CPU to GPU to leverage the latter’s parallel computing power and the higher thermal design point of modern chips.” Technologies like cold-plate and immersion cooling are set to manage these demands, while factory-integrated solutions, such as liquid cooling, aim to improve efficiency and deployment speed.

Energy Efficiency Under Scrutiny

Data centres, which currently consume 1-2% of global power, could see usage rise to 3-4% by 2030 due to AI growth. This drives the need for sustainable practices. “These pressures are forcing organisations to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability even more than they have in the past,” noted Vertiv. The trend toward microgrids, fuel cells, and modular reactors is accelerating, addressing energy availability challenges and regulatory demands.

Collaboration and AI Factories

As AI Factory racks approach unprecedented densities of 500-1000kW, collaboration among stakeholders—chipmakers, utilities, and infrastructure providers—is becoming essential. “Chip developers, customers, power and cooling infrastructure manufacturers, utilities and other industry stakeholders will increasingly partner to develop and support transparent roadmaps to enable AI adoption,” said Vertiv. AI-driven tools are also expediting engineering and manufacturing processes, promoting true integration of IT and infrastructure.

Cybersecurity and AI

AI’s rise is enabling both sophisticated cyberattacks and advanced defenses. Vertiv reported that “one-third of all attacks last year involved some form of ransomware or extortion,” with bad actors using AI tools to exploit connected infrastructure. To counter these threats, cybersecurity experts are deploying AI-based defense systems. “While the fundamentals and best practices of defense in depth and extreme diligence remain the same, the shifting nature, source and frequency of attacks add nuance to modern cybersecurity efforts,” Vertiv explained.

Regulatory Developments

Governments are ramping up AI governance efforts. “The trend toward sovereign AI—a nation’s control or influence over the development, deployment and regulation of AI—is a focus of The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act and China’s Cybersecurity Law,” noted Vertiv. By 2025, regulations may extend to AI applications and data center energy usage, with localised frameworks varying in enforcement consistency.

Vertiv’s insights highlight the profound impact AI is having on the data centre industry, shaping innovations, sustainability practices, and regulatory landscapes for the future.