The mainstreaming of artificial intelligence is projected to triple hyperscale data center capacity by 2029, necessitating a doubling of fiber route miles and an even larger increase in total fiber miles. The Fiber Broadband Association's study indicates that critical fiber optic interconnections for AI performance are transitioning from supportive to essential. Three types of interconnections are needed: new short interconnections for data centers, upgrades to long-haul interconnections, and new long-haul routes. The fiber miles are expected to grow from 159 million in 2024 to 373 million by 2029, with significant yearly additions.
Hyperscale operators would like high bandwidth routes, with low latency (accomplished with the most direct routes possible between locations with limited switching) and very high uptime (accomplished with good physical and cyber security and route redundancy). With the birth of AI, the need for continued improvement in all these categories has accelerated.
The study suggests that fiber optic interconnections, which are complex and demanding, are transitioning from a behind-the-scenes role to one that is vital to AI performance, scalability, and security.
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