Networks Europe Sept-Oct 2018 | Page 8

08 NEWS IN BRIEF Hi3G selects Ericsson to develop transport network for 5G in Denmark Ericsson has been selected by Hi3G, operating as 3 in Denmark, to modernise its transport network with 5G-ready routers over the next three years. The new IP Mobile Backhaul transformation project will see the implementation of Router 6000 hardware, software and customer support. This will prepare Hi3G’s network for future 5G requirements, and also support the significant increase in the number of connected devices on the network. The rollout will start during autumn 2018 and expands Ericsson’s partnership with Hi3G. The Scandinavian communications service provider already has a long experience with Ericsson’s MINI-LINK product portfolio, which shares a common management system with Router 6000 series. This makes the management and deployment of Router 6000 easy and efficient. Kim Christensen, Network Director, 3 Denmark, said. “We are looking forward to continuing our good partnership and relationship with Ericsson with state of the art transmission equipment. This is the next step into the 5G era.” Ericsson’s 5G Business Potential report found that operators can add a revenue of USD 204 to 619 billion (12 to 36%) to their forecast service revenues of USD 1.7 trillion in 2026 by targeting the digital transformation of other industries, such as automotive and manufacturing, using 5G-IoT technology. The Router 6000 series is a game changer because it responds directly to operators’ challenges of exponentially growing data traffic volumes and a significant increase in the number of connected devices. It not only addresses operators’ needs for scalability, but also for security and higher operational efficiency. n R&M Integrates Czech fibre optic cable plant R&M is integrating the Transportkabel DIXI a.s., acquired in May 2018, into the corporate group. The fibre optic cable manufacturer was renamed on 1 August and is now called Reichle & De-Massari Czech Republic a.s. R&M is currently transferring the DIXI portfolio into its global sales and production network, and is using the cables from the Czech plant to extend and optimise its own products. They can, for example, be used for manufacturing assemblies and pre-terminated cables. With the DIXI acquisition, R&M has acquired great expertise in fibre optic technology. The Czech plant develops innovative cable constructions and can address individual customer needs and requirements with expertise in manufacturing short to medium length cables. R&M can now provide its customers with cables by the metre, and fibre optic assemblies even more flexibility than before. The plant in Dečín, Czech Republic, mainly produces loose tube cables with single and multimode fibres. The portfolio of cable constructions ranges from 12 to 216 fibres. The range includes cables for the application areas LAN and data centre cabling as well as Fibre to the Home and access networks. Special cables which fulfil the requirements of the highest fire classes are one of the specialities of the new R&M subsidiary, as are cables featuring increased protection against mechanical damage when laid directly in the ground. n Surplus heat from data centre to heat thousands of Oslo homes DigiPlex, and Norway’s district heating supplier, Fortum Oslo Varme, have signed a letter of intent on the recovery of heat from DigiPlex’s data centre at Ulven in Oslo. The agreement contributes to new district heating production corresponding to the energy needs of approximately 5,000 Oslo apartments. A progressive data centre industry must do what it can to reduce its environmental footprint. Data centres today account for 2% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions and 3% of power consumption. In Oslo, district heating is already sourced by renewable power. Owing to statutory phasing out of fossil energy sources for heating and urban development, demand for district heating is increasing. With Fortum Oslo Varme planning to increase heat production, the company has sought out sources of renewable energy that are suitable for production. Through planned increases in capacity at DigiPlex’ data centre, the volume of recovered heat supplied to the district heating system will increase. “Every time we go online, stream a TV series or use a cloud service, a process starts in a data centre. We, as individuals, have a larger impact on climate change if these processes are initiated in a data centre operated on non-renewable energy and more so from one where waste heat is released into the atmosphere,” says CEO of DigiPlex, Gisle M. Eckhoff. n www.networkseuropemagazine.com