Exclusive Interview: Matias Peluffo of CommScope on Fibre Tech in Asia Pacific Data Centres
The Asia Pacific region stands at the forefront of the global data center boom, fueled by exponential growth in data consumption, cloud adoption, and emerging technologies like AI and the Internet of Things. At the heart of this transformation is the critical need for robust, scalable, and high-performance connectivity, making fibre optics an indispensable foundation.
The relentless demand for higher bandwidth is driving a rapid evolution within data center infrastructure. We are seeing a significant shift towards higher speeds, with deployments of 400G and 800G Ethernet becoming more commonplace, and the industry already looking ahead to 1.6T and beyond. This speed evolution necessitates advanced fibre optic cables and components capable of handling the massive data flows.
Single-mode fibre is increasingly becoming the dominant technology for backbone and longer reach applications within the data center, offering virtually unlimited bandwidth potential over distance. However, multi-mode fibre continues to play a vital role for shorter links, particularly within rows and racks, providing a cost-effective and reliable solution for specific connection needs. The choice between the two often depends on the specific application, reach requirements, and desired bandwidth.
Designing and deploying this high-speed fibre infrastructure in the Asia Pacific region presents unique challenges. Managing ever-increasing cable density is paramount, requiring innovative cabling management solutions that maximize space utilization while ensuring accessibility for maintenance and upgrades. Efficient cooling solutions are also crucial, as denser infrastructure can generate more heat. Furthermore, the need for future-proofing is a constant consideration, as today’s infrastructure must be able to support tomorrow’s speeds and technologies without requiring complete overhauls.
To address these challenges, operators are increasingly adopting structured cabling approaches and leveraging pre-terminated fibre solutions. These methods simplify installation, reduce deployment times, minimize potential errors, and improve overall system reliability. They provide a predictable and scalable framework that can adapt to future bandwidth demands.
The impact of technologies like AI and machine learning on data center design is profound. These applications require massive amounts of data to be processed and moved rapidly between servers, necessitating extremely high-density, low-latency fibre interconnections within racks and across the data hall. This pushes the boundaries of current connectivity technologies and drives innovation in fibre design and deployment practices.
Sustainability is another key focus area in Asia Pacific data centers. Fibre optic solutions, being passive components with low power consumption compared to copper for high speeds, contribute positively to the overall energy efficiency of the facility. Designing for energy efficiency and minimizing environmental impact is a growing priority for operators and their clients.
The trajectory for data center connectivity in Asia Pacific is one of continuous acceleration. As data demands surge and new technologies emerge, the reliance on advanced fibre optics will only deepen. Building robust, scalable, and intelligent fibre infrastructure is not just about meeting today’s needs, but about enabling the innovations of tomorrow.
Source: https://datacenternews.asia/story/exclusive-commscope-s-matias-peluffo-on-fibre-innovation-in-asia-pacific-data-centres
