The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is establishing an International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience to enhance the protection of submarine cables, which are vital for global communication and the digital economy. That initiative is driven by the increasing frequency of service outages and the vulnerabilities faced by these underwater cables, making it imperative to coordinate efforts to bolster their resilience.
The advisory body will bring together diverse stakeholders, including governments, regulatory authorities, industry leaders, and other key participants, fostering multistakeholder collaboration to create a united front in enhancing the safety and protection of submarine cables. ITU calls for nominations from various sectors to join the advisory council, where members will be expected to engage actively in meetings and uphold ethical standards.
Also, the advisory body will provide strategic guidance to improve submarine cable resilience by developing best practices for protecting subsea systems and facilitating international cooperation on technical and policy frameworks. That is particularly crucial given the challenges faced by regions like Vietnam and Africa, which have experienced significant disruptions. To address these issues, members will contribute to the agenda for an upcoming Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in early 2025, where they will strategise on solutions to enhance the resilience of submarine cables worldwide.
OpenAI has launched several new tools aimed at making it easier for developers to create applications powered by its AI technology. Among the key innovations is a real-time tool that allows developers to build AI voice applications using a single set of instructions, streamlining what was previously a multi-step process.
The startup, supported by Microsoft, also introduced a fine-tuning tool that enables developers to improve AI model responses using both text and images. This enhancement boosts capabilities like visual search and object detection, potentially benefiting sectors such as autonomous vehicles.
OpenAI has forecast a rapid rise in revenue, expecting to generate $11.6 billion next year, driven by businesses building their own AI apps using its technology. With competition from tech giants like Google heating up, OpenAI is focused on rolling out advanced tools to retain its edge in the generative AI race.
Other newly unveiled features include a method for smaller AI models to learn from larger ones, and a ‘Prompt Caching’ system that can reduce development costs by reusing previously processed text, cutting expenses by up to half.
Microsoft has announced plans to invest €4.3 billion over the next two years to expand its artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in northern Italy. The tech giant’s investment will establish the ItalyNorth cloud region as one of Microsoft’s largest data hubs in Europe, serving both the Mediterranean and North Africa. The move marks Microsoft’s largest-ever investment in Italy and is expected to significantly strengthen the country’s digital presence in the region.
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, discussed the investment with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who welcomed the project, seeing it as a key development for Italy’s role in the Mediterranean’s digital landscape. This initiative follows broader discussions between the Italian government and global investors, including BlackRock, which is also looking at potential investments in data and energy infrastructure.
The surge in demand for AI and cloud services across industries, from gaming to e-commerce, is driving Microsoft’s global expansion efforts. In partnership with BlackRock, Microsoft had already launched a $30 billion fund aimed at AI-focused data centers and related infrastructure, initially targeting the U.S. and its partner countries.
At the 79th annual UN General Assembly, 18 nations, including the United States, Australia, Canada, the European Union, and several Pacific nations, endorsed a joint statement addressing the security and resilience of undersea cable infrastructure. The statement highlights the indispensable role of these cables and underscores the pressing need to safeguard them against emerging threats, both natural and manufactured.
Earlier this year, undersea data cables in the Red Sea reportedly were damaged, and large parts of West and Central Africa were left without internet services in March 2024 because of failures on four of the fibre optic cables that run below the world’s ocean. The joint statement begins by acknowledging communications networks’ central role in modern society, with undersea cables being critical infrastructure for global data transmission.
The nations stress that the rapid expansion of undersea cable networks has led to greater interdependence among countries, making the protection of this infrastructure a priority. They advocate for adopting policies to ensure that the infrastructure remains efficient, secure, resilient, and redundant to mitigate risks posed by its vulnerability.
The joint statement outlines key principles for a unified global approach to securing undersea cable infrastructure, focusing on building resilient and secure systems while incorporating cybersecurity best practices. Nations highlighted the importance of promoting secure cable providers, improving government-industry coordination, providing transparent ownership, and emphasising careful planning to prevent disruptions. Additionally, they outlined the need to consider regular risk assessments and compliance with international laws.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is reportedly developing a new AI model using chips from Chinese tech giant Huawei. The move comes as US restrictions on advanced AI chips, such as those from Nvidia, have led the company to look for domestic alternatives. Sources suggest ByteDance will use Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip to power a new large-language AI model.
Huawei’s Ascend 910B chip has already been used by ByteDance for less demanding AI tasks, but training a new AI model requires a higher level of computational power. While ByteDance continues to order significant quantities of Huawei’s chips, supply shortages are reportedly slowing down their efforts, with only a fraction of the requested units received so far.
Industry experts say AI has become essential for a range of sectors, from gaming to e-commerce, where businesses are developing custom AI models to stay competitive. ByteDance’s decision to turn to Huawei reflects the increasing importance of AI, particularly as global supply chains face challenges.
Both ByteDance and Huawei have remained tight-lipped regarding specific details of this development. A spokesperson from ByteDance denied the existence of a new AI model in progress, while Huawei did not provide any comment on the situation.
In August 2023, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) announced a partnership with Japan’s SBI to build a chipmaking plant in Japan. However, the plan was halted last Friday, with reports suggesting that PSMC’s declining financial performance may be the cause. PSMC has denied these claims, stating that the decision to terminate the collaboration is unrelated to its financial situation.
PSMC explained that its collaboration with SBI was structured around the Fab IP model, which involves offering consulting services, personnel training, and technology transfer in exchange for service fees and royalties. The company does not plan to invest in or oversee the operations of the new factory. After the board confirmed the termination of the partnership, PSMC dispatched representatives to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to clarify the situation and has informed SBI Holdings of the decision.
Reports indicate that PSMC opted not to assume the risks tied to the project, resulting in the dissolution of their partnership to build the facility in Miyagi Prefecture. This plant was projected to start mass production by 2027, specialising in automotive semiconductors with an estimated investment of ¥800 billion. Despite these challenges, SBI intends to proceed with the project by searching for new partners.
Notably, this decision comes after PSMC recently announced its intention to supply technology for a new chip plant in India, in partnership with Tata Group. The company has signed an agreement to assist in constructing India’s first 12-inch wafer fab in Dholera, Gujarat, which will employ mature process technologies and provide training for local workers. This USD 11 billion facility is expected to have a monthly capacity of 50,000 wafers and create over 20,000 high-tech jobs in the region.
The Egyptian Postal Service is implementing a comprehensive development plan to enhance its services and modernise its infrastructure. That initiative not only reflects a significant commitment to improving accessibility and efficiency but also addresses the evolving needs of the population.
For instance, the increase in the number of post offices in Egypt from 3,600 in 2018 to 4,850 today demonstrates this dedication. By equipping these facilities with the latest technological solutions, the postal service aims to meet the growing demands of the digital age and provide an improved customer experience. Ultimately, this modernisation will streamline operations and ensure citizens can easily access essential services in a rapidly changing environment.
Moreover, the Egyptian Postal Service is crucial to the government’s broader efforts to modernise the economy. Ahmed Badawy, the Communications and Information Technology Committee Chairperson has highlighted the importance of collaboration between the committee, the ministry, and its affiliated bodies. That partnership is essential for successfully implementing initiatives that enhance the capabilities of the postal service and related sectors.
Furthermore, the postal service is a key player in attracting investments in communications and IT, particularly in mobile phone manufacturing. By expanding programs focused on applied technology schools, the ministry is equipping future generations with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital landscape and fostering innovation and growth in the industry.
Manchester has officially opened the first phase of a £1.7 billion ($2.3 billion) hub designed for science and technology companies. This initiative called the ‘Sister’ innovation district, is located on the University of Manchester’s former North Campus and aims to provide 2 million square feet of commercial space along with 1,500 new homes, enhancing the city’s reputation as a science and tech centre.
The Sister project is a collaboration between the University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech, alongside Legal and General and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund. Over 15 years, it has sought to attract private investment to improve public services and infrastructure in the UK. The first tenant, Sustainable Ventures, a climate tech investment firm, will move into the Renold Building in November.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, described the opening as a significant moment for the city. The Sister district is included in the government-funded Greater Manchester Investment Zone, which allocates £160 million in public funds to attract businesses over the next decade. Plans for the first major development zone within Sister are expected to be announced soon.
Philippines is embarking on a three-year network infrastructure plan to enhance connectivity for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) by 2028. That initiative, presented by telecommunications providers, aims to construct new communication towers while maximising the use of existing infrastructure.
By addressing the connectivity gap in the country, the plan ensures that remote communities can access essential services such as education, healthcare, and government support, thereby promoting inclusivity and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents. Furthermore, this commitment to improving connectivity aligns with President Marcos’ pledge to bring telecom services to underserved areas.
The current plan includes subsidised SIM cards with data plans to unconnected households, ensuring families have the necessary tools to connect to the internet and mobile services. As of 2024, Globe has already established over 600 operational cell sites in GIDAs, marking a significant step toward making essential communication services accessible to remote communities.
Moreover, Philippines recognises the need for optimised network coverage and advocates for critical legislative support to streamline the permitting process for new cell sites. Ensuring a consistent power supply for telecommunications towers and rationalising spectrum user fees are essential to this strategy.
Why does this matter?
The country aims to create a conducive environment for rapid infrastructure expansion by addressing these regulatory challenges. Consequently, through these efforts, Philippines is working towards a ‘Digital Philippines,’ where all citizens can access vital communication services that improve their lives regardless of their geographical location.
Alphabet plans to invest $3.3 billion in South Carolina to establish two new data centres, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. This investment comes as the Google parent company and its competitors significantly enhance their infrastructure to support the growth of AI applications. The new data centre campuses will be located in Dorchester County, alongside an expansion of an existing facility in Berkeley County, as confirmed by the South Carolina governor’s office.
The new facilities in Dorchester County, located in the Pine Hill Business Campus in Ridgeville and Winding Woods Commerce Park in St. George, represent a $2 billion investment and are anticipated to create 200 operational jobs. Additionally, the expansion in Berkeley County will require another $1.3 billion investment. In July, Alphabet reported capital expenditures of $13 billion for the June quarter and indicated that spending would remain at or above $12 billion for the rest of 2024.
This announcement comes on the heels of Microsoft’s recent partnership with BlackRock and the Abu Dhabi-backed investment firm MGX to establish a fund exceeding $30 billion, focused on developing AI infrastructure, including the construction of data centres and energy projects.
