This is a really relevant post by Brian Lavallée from Ciena highlighting a striking forecast: 'AI-enriched network traffic is expected to grow at an astounding 120% CAGR from 2023 to 2030'. To put this into perspective, that's a jump from 0.6 Exabytes in 2023 to an incredible 148 Exabytes by 2030. This surge represents a substantial challenge for global networks. While the impact of AI on infrastructure compute and storage is becoming clearer in the realms of power and space, its effects on fibre networks, especially long-haul national and international infrastructure remain uncertain.
Over the past year, digital infrastructure has evolved into critical infrastructure for a broader audience, underpinning everything from network resiliency for major sporting events to driving the next wave of the digital economy. High Performance Computing (HPC) of large data volumes, both within data centres and distributed externally, is reshaping traditional network service delivery models.
In this landscape of uncertainty, where platform operators strive to scale networks while managing financial risks, Crosslake Fibre's innovative approach to integrating long-haul dark fibre into core backbone networks has gained prominence. Our solutions - Metered Dark Fibre (https://lnkd.in/ef9gXBpP) and Amplification-as-a-Service (AaaS) (https://lnkd.in/e99njSJK) address the challenges posed by AI to network operators.
Metered Dark Fibre offers a unique commercial model, allowing long-haul dark fibre to be purchased on a Pay-as-you-Scale basis. Users can light as much fibre as needed and only pay for what they use, eliminating the need for traditional IRUs or long-term leases. This model provides the scalability of a full fibre pair at the initial cost of a 100G point-to-point service.
To complement this, we leveraged our extensive expertise in the subsea sector to apply the concept of amplification for long-haul routes to both our subsea and terrestrial networks. This means that users won’t have to incur CAPEX and OPEX for optical equipment and colocation within ILAs on a long-haul route. Crosslake, as the network operator, supplies and maintains the amplification at each ILA site, allowing customers to connect with their transponders only at each endpoint.
If this sounds intriguing, I invite you to reach out to our team. We are here to guide you through this transformative process. Contact me at fergus@crosslakefibre.ca for more information.