Many mobile users across the UK are frustrated by the slow rollout and underwhelming performance of 5G, with some even feeling that connectivity is worsening. This sentiment is especially strong in London, which ranks as one of the slowest European cities for 5G speeds—75% slower than Lisbon. As the UK government sets its sights on becoming a “science and tech superpower” by 2030, it raises an important question: why are UK 5G speeds so slow, and what is being done to improve the situation?

Despite 5G’s potential to revolutionise everyday life and industries through ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and better connectivity, the UK’s rollout has been gradual. Coupled with structural challenges, spectrum limitations, and equipment complications, the cautious deployment has delayed the benefits that 5G can offer. However, plans are underway to address these issues, from expanding spectrum availability to deploying standalone 5G networks.

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons behind the slow 5G speeds in the UK and examine how improvements are set to unfold in the coming years.

The evolution of UK network technologies

Each mobile network generation —3G, 4G, and now 5G—has revolutionised connectivity.  While 3G enabled basic browsing and apps, 4G supported high-quality video streaming and gaming. In contrast, 5G—operating on higher frequency bands—promises speeds up to 100 times faster than 4G, lower latency, and the capacity to support more simultaneous connections. This paves the way for advanced applications such as enhanced mobile broadband, smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), and autonomous vehicles. 

However, the UK’s 5G rollout has been incremental, often built on 4G infrastructure, which limits 5G’s full potential. The phased deployment, with its focus on testing and regulatory oversight, has slowed down high-speed implementation. Additionally, as the country phases out older 3G networks and reallocates frequency bands, temporary disruptions in coverage occur.

Challenges slowing down UK 5G

Several factors contribute to the slow rollout and performance of 5G in the UK. One challenge has been the government’s decision to remove Huawei equipment, forcing telecom operators to replace it with hardware from other vendors like Nokia and Ericsson. This process is both time-consuming and expensive, causing significant delays in upgrading and expanding 5G networks. 

Limited spectrum availability is another critical element. This is particularly relevant with regard to the high-frequency bands that enable ultra-fast 5G. Currently, most 5G networks in the UK operate on mid-band frequencies, which offer a good balance between coverage and speed but fall short of the higher millimeter-wave frequencies used in other countries. These higher frequencies are essential for unlocking the full potential of 5G, but their availability in the UK remains restricted, hindering performance.

The increase in mobile devices and data-heavy applications also strains and slows existing networks. Congestion is a problem, especially in urban areas where demand is highest, but rural areas can suffer, too, creating a rural-urban divide in network performance and speed. External factors such as modern building materials used in energy-efficient construction also block radio signals, leading to poor indoor reception, while weather conditions and environmental factors—particularly as we face more extreme climate events—can further disrupt signal quality.

Plans for improvement

Despite these challenges, significant improvements to UK 5G speeds are on the horizon as network infrastructure continues to evolve. One of the primary drivers will be the release of additional spectrum, particularly in the higher-frequency bands. This will enable greater data throughput and faster speeds, enhancing the overall 5G experience for users. 

The UK government and telecommunications regulators are actively working to make more spectrum available for network operators, recognising that spectrum scarcity is a significant barrier to 5G performance. In addition, they are providing incentives to accelerate the deployment of 5G infrastructure, encouraging network operators to expand their coverage and invest in new technologies.

One of the most promising developments is the introduction of standalone 5G networks, which will be independent of existing 4G infrastructure. Standalone 5G will significantly enhance network performance, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and unlocking further benefits with real-time charging functionalities. This also provides better support for new applications like virtual reality and autonomous systems. As this technology becomes more widespread, UK consumers will begin to experience 5G’s true capabilities. 

The road ahead for UK 5G

While a number of challenges have slowed the UK’s 5G progress compared to other countries, there is reason for optimism. As mobile network operators continue to expand and enhance their 5G networks, full rollout and enhancements are expected to follow over the coming years. However, the pace of progress will depend on continued investment, regulatory support, and the availability of new spectrum.

Ongoing efforts to release more spectrum, expand 5G networks, and continue infrastructure upgrades will help the UK catch up and realise the full potential of 5G. As these improvements take hold, users can expect faster speeds, lower latency, and more reliable connectivity, helping the UK achieve its ambition of becoming a leading science and tech superpower by 2030.

The future of remanufacturing is bright, with the European market set to hit €100 billion by 2030. This surge is fuelled by tougher regulations, growing demand for eco-friendly products, and advancements in circular economy practices.

For manufacturers, it’s more than a trend—it’s a wake-up call. To stay ahead, they must rethink their business models and product lifecycles, adopting a new circular economy mindset.

Instead of creating products destined for the landfill, the focus needs to shift to maximising the lifespan of materials and products. Those who innovate now will lead the charge in this evolving landscape, securing the sustainability credentials that investors and consumers alike are seeking, in turn creating a competitive edge.

The key catalysts behind the remanufacturing surge

Several factors are propelling the unprecedented growth in remanufacturing. Regulatory bodies across Europe are implementing stringent guidelines that compel businesses to rethink their production models. The European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan and directives like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are pushing companies to adopt more sustainable practices, including remanufacturing.

At the heart of this boom is the adoption of circular business models. Unlike traditional linear models that follow a “take-make-dispose” approach, circular models are designed with the entire product lifecycle in mind. This means enhancing product durability, ease of disassembly, and reparability from the design phase. By designing products for longevity and ease of remanufacture, companies can reduce raw material consumption, minimise waste, and create new revenue streams.

At the same time, by tapping into what is a new manufacturing process, they are effectively creating new jobs; attracting new talent and retaining people within the organisation for longer also. This approach not only benefits the environment but also enhances customer loyalty and brand reputation.

Leveraging technology to break through barriers

Despite the clear benefits, many companies are only partially engaged in remanufacturing. One main challenge is establishing efficient return logistics. Developing systems to collect end-of-life products involves complex logistics and incentivisation strategies. Incentivising product returns is crucial; there must be a give-and-take within the ecosystem. Technology can help identify and connect with partners interested in what one company considers waste.

Data management is another significant hurdle. Accessing and integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) data is essential for measuring impact and compliance. Companies need robust systems to collect, standardise, and report ESG metrics effectively. Managing ESG data is a substantial effort, but with the right technology, companies can automate data collection and gain real-time insights for better decision-making.

Technological innovations like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionising remanufacturing practices. AI can optimise product designs by analysing data to suggest materials and components that are more sustainable and easier to reuse. It can also simulate “what-if” scenarios, helping companies understand the financial and environmental impacts of their design choices.

IoT devices provide real-time data on product usage and performance, invaluable for assessing the remanufacturing potential of products. For instance, IoT sensors can monitor machinery health, predicting maintenance needs and extending product life.

With these technologies, companies are not just improving efficiency; they are fundamentally changing their manufacturing approach. Embedding sustainability into every facet of production becomes practical and achievable.

Seizing the opportunity

Beyond environmental benefits, remanufacturing offers compelling financial incentives. Reusing materials reduces the need for raw material procurement, leading to significant cost savings.

Companies can achieve higher margins by selling remanufactured products, which often have lower production costs but can command premium prices due to their sustainability credentials.

Materials are often already in the desired shape, eliminating the need to remake them from scratch, saving costs and opening new revenue streams. Offering remanufactured products can attract customers who value sustainability, allowing companies to diversify and enter new markets.

Looking ahead, remanufactured goods are likely to become the norm rather than the exception. As the ecosystem matures, companies that fail to adopt circular practices may find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

Emerging trends include the development of digital product passports and environmental product declarations, facilitating transparency and traceability throughout the product lifecycle. AI and IoT will continue to evolve, offering even more sophisticated tools for sustainability.

The remanufacturing boom presents an unprecedented opportunity for those companies who are willing to embrace innovation and make sustainability a core part of their product visions. Crucially, embracing remanufacturing is not just about regulatory compliance or meeting consumer demands; it’s about future-proofing the business and playing a pivotal role in building a sustainable future.

Companies that act now will not only contribute to a more sustainable world but also reap significant financial and competitive benefits, positioning themselves as leaders in a €100 billion market.

The future will not wait – the time to rise to the remanufacturing boom is now.

Streaming industry in Europe is flourishing, with a forecasted growth rate of 20.36% from 2022 through 2027. This growth highlights a continued trend of rapid expansion within the industry according to data from Technavio. 

While growth is projected to be strong, profits and ad revenue could face a hurdle, as the streaming industry faces potentially one of its biggest threats. Residential proxies, similar to VPNs, allow consumers to mask their identity and location. Their use is rising at an alarming rate. 

Defining the residential proxy issue

At the most simple definition, proxy servers are intermediaries for all the traffic between devices and the websites they connect to. Using a proxy server makes that internet traffic looks like it’s coming from the proxy server’s location, improving online anonymity.

Normally, a proxy server providers route traffic through a data centre. Residential proxies swap that by routing traffic through computers or phones connected to typical home ISPs. This makes residential proxies even more anonymous. In turn, this reduces the likelihood that streaming service will block a connection.

According to recent findings from Digital Element, there has been a 188% surge in the adoption of residential proxies across the EU from January 2023 to January 2024, with a staggering 428% increase within the UK alone. During that same time period VPN usage, already a concern for the streaming industry, has escalated by 42% in the EU and 90% in the UK.

Even allowing for the difference in the primary functions of residential proxies and VPNs, that is a stark difference. 

Consequently this issue has significant implications for both the platforms and their users. Residential proxies are by nature an identity masking technology. Increasingly, people are using them to bypass geographical restrictions in order to access content not available in certain regions. This practice undermines the licensing agreements and revenue models of streaming services.

Contributing to the problem even further are the many individuals who “sub-let” their IP addresses to proxy services. This cohort are unaware of the broader implications of their actions because they blur the line between legitimate and illegitimate access, making it increasingly difficult for streaming platforms to manage. These consumers are often motivated through compensation offered by the residential proxy companies – ironically, often in the form of streaming service gift cards. 

The first line of defence?

Some might say that an easy solution would be to simply block all residential proxies but for streaming providers, the answer is not that simple. 

Blocking every residential proxy observation would also cut off access for legitimate subscribers, creating a poor user experience for paying customers. A more nuanced and informed approach is necessary in order to protect the rights of honest consumers, yet still block the bad actors.

To effectively fight this, streaming providers can’t take a surface-level approach, they need to get into the weeds and leverage tools that will provide a deep understanding of user intent. To do this they need to look at the root of all web traffic – the IP address – and then go even deeper. 

This is where IP address intelligence comes into play. By leveraging sophisticated IP address intelligence, streaming platforms can gain insights into the nature of the traffic they are receiving. 

This technology enables them to identify not only whether an IP address is associated with a residential proxy, but can also provide contextual clues to quantify the threat and understand its scope. By identifying IP behavioural patterns at the root level, streaming providers can begin to formulate their strategic approach regarding the disposition of IP addresses related to residential proxies. 

Looking beyond the here and now

While there is currently no cut-and-dry solution to eliminate the problem, IP address intelligence provides a critical first step. It offers the data needed to understand the breadth of the problem and begin modelling strategies to help mitigate the impact of residential proxies. 

Without these insights, streaming platforms are essentially operating in the dark, unable to effectively differentiate between legitimate and illegitimate traffic.

If the trend line continues to hold, the use of residential proxies will only increase and cause even greater concern for streaming platforms worldwide. As the industry seeks to address this issue, the role of IP address intelligence will become increasingly important. It is clear that without the ability to accurately identify and understand the origin of traffic, there is no foundation upon which to build a viable solution. 

The future of streaming depends on the industry’s ability to adapt and respond to these evolving challenges, and IP address intelligence will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this ongoing effort.

The UK government estimates there are just under 11,500 managed service providers (MSPs) active in the UK.  These businesses create turnover of approximately £52.6bn and drive a market set for compound annual growth (CAGR) of 12% until 2027. Which equates to a sector worth nearly £74bn by 2028.

When it comes to how these businesses position themselves, the same report also found that 60% of MSPs mention a cloud offering on their website. And in terms of alliances 56% have partnerships with Microsoft, 43% with AWS and 13% with Google Cloud. 

Whilst it is always dangerous to infer those relationships – or even partnerships – equate to business actually being done and revenue being billed, it is clear from these figures that cloud activity is seen as an incredibly lucrative opportunity for the UK MSP community.  The question is what shape this activity will take?

The question is valid because there are now so many cloud projects being undertaken that are so diverse, it is becoming difficult for MSPs to position themselves credibly to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible.

Filtered through the lens of MSPs, this has created three drivers of cloud change: 

• Changes in immediate customer demand as they look to embrace alternative platforms 
• Preparation for impending shifts, including the impact of regulatory changes such as the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)
• The MSPs own need for operational efficiency to improve margins and ultimately profit

Changing platforms – the rise of cloud repatriation

One of the biggest current opportunities for MSPs is cloud repatriation. 2022 the growth of businesses using the public cloud began to decline. For forward-looking businesses, the direction of travel reversed, backing away from cloud and considering alternatives.  Despite the massive hype – and undeniable potential advantages – around public cloud, organisations began shifting data and entire platforms to on-site, private data centres. Cloud repatriation was born.

Cloud companies marketed their solutions as everything businesses needed for digital success. However, the issues of scale, cost and unnecessary functionality, led organisations to re-evaluate the alignment of their technology and business goals. A recent study by Citrix identified that 25% of UK organisations have moved at least half their cloud workloads back on-premise.

Given the substantial cost savings on offer (one recent repatriation project saw cost savings of 85%), this is an area in which MSPs can demonstrate huge value to customers. 

Exploring regulations – DORA and beyond

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is an EU regulation that will apply as of 17 January 2025. It aims to strengthen the IT security of financial entities and ensure that the sector in Europe is resilient in the event of a severe operational disruption. If a UK-based business provides financial or critical ICT services to entities within the EU financial sector, DORA will apply.

With reference to cloud and MSPs, DORA spans digital operational resilience testing (both basic and advanced) ICT risk management (including third parties) and oversight of suppliers.

All of this represents a potential headache to customer organisations and an opportunity for MSPs. The scale of this opportunity is hard to gauge but will likely involve investments in technology, processes, and skills development, creating an opportunity for those MSPs at the forefront of technological innovation, and those who enjoy strong, trust-filled customer relationships.

Optimising operations to boost profitability

In the face of opportunities such as repatriation or the impact of regulation, MSPs need a consistent technological basis upon which they can base their offerings.  They need digital infrastructure partners that enable diverse, even bespoke services across within the managed services ‘wrap’ by offering choice at the infrastructure level.

This choice is critical as it is no longer a ‘cloud-first’ world in which cloud is the default assumption for all businesses. The different perspectives on cloud across leaders and laggards can be so diverse as to necessitate completely different strategies. 

To address this diversity, MSPs need to be able to assess the ‘cloud-viability’ of an opportunity and have access to the infrastructure that best addresses that opportunity.

It bears repeating that cloud is a huge opportunity for MSPs – especially for those prepared to specialise. Cloud is an incredibly broad church, with no shortage of funding for the various niche disciplines: 

• Revenue in the UK cloud security market alone will likely reach $416.40 million by 2029. 
• For those looking to specialise in hybrid, Mintel has previously reported that 80% of multi-cloud adopters had moved to a hybrid strategy.
• Top concerns of businesses when assessing cloud moves include understanding app dependencies and assessing on prem vs. cloud costs.

Given the breadth and depth of the ‘established’ cloud market (even without reference to the impact of AI) it is clear that MSPs can still mine a deep seam of opportunity: especially when partnering with a digital infrastructure specialist that offers MSPs the choice and options that they themselves offer.

Jad Jebara, President and CEO of Hyperview, breaks down how to tackle a new era of data centre demand and power consumption.  

Data centres – the engines that power our digital world – face a critical crossroads. The amount of data we generate is growing exponentially, fuelled by the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and increasing amount of data being generated; meaning data centres need to consistently expand capacity to keep up – leading to an increase in energy consumption. 

A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that data centres, along with AI and cryptocurrency mining, could double their electricity consumption by 2026. In 2022, these sectors used a staggering 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of

 electricity globally. To put this into perspective, the average US household consumes about

10,500 kilowatts-hour (KWh) per year. 460 TWh is equal to 460,000,000,000 kWh, which is enough to power roughly 43.8 million US households for a year. By 2026, that number could balloon to over 1,000 TWh. That’s roughly the same amount of electricity used by Japan in a year.  

Data centres require significant power to run servers, cooling systems, and various other processes to ensure the entire infrastructure remains operational. However, high energy use of data centres translates to a large carbon footprint – further contributing to climate change and other environmental issues. 

Now is the time for data centre operators to find innovative ways to balance their need for ever-increasing power with the growing pressure to be environmentally conscious. Simple fixes like turning off unused lights fall short.  

So, what’s the solution? 

Data centre operators must consider more sophisticated, data-driven strategies. By implementing systems that capture detailed, real-time data, operators can track energy usage at a granular level; allowing them to identify areas for

 improvement and optimise energy allocation. It will also empower operators to make proactive decision-making, enabling them to anticipate and prevent issues before they arise.  

Measuring energy consumption by asset 

The current methods of measuring data centre energy use often focus on geographical location. This big-picture view, while helpful, doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s like looking at a forest from far away – you see the size and basic details but miss the intricacies of individual trees.   

Operators focusing solely on location will miss key details. These limited insights don’t reveal which servers are energy guzzlers, hindering targeted upgrades or replacements, and it doesn’t identify underutilised servers, opportunities for consolidation, or virtualisation to optimise resource allocation. 

To enable true sustainability, data centres need a closer look. Having the granular detail and being able to see the energy use for each piece of equipment – servers, cooling units, etc. is key to informed investment decisions for key stakeholders. With this knowledge, data centres can pinpoint areas for improvement and reduce overall energy consumption.  

The digital infrastructure maturity model 

The Digital Infrastructure Maturity Model, developed by the iMasons Climate Accord, has brought the industry together under a unified framework. It emphasises the need to measure the carbon impact stemming from power usage, equipment, and materials. 

By embracing this model, decision-makers can begin assessing their CO2 impact. This involves evaluating the carbon footprint of consumed power and the equipment sourced. In essence, an organisation’s CO2 output is the sum of emissions generated by power-consuming devices. This is greatly influenced by factors such as where the IT equipment is hosted, the power source utilised, optimisation of utilisation, the environmental impact of the supply chain and embodied CO2 in the facilities. 

Therefore, granular monitoring and reporting per asset become essential. This approach allows stakeholders to precisely identify underutilised assets based on various factors like age, type, function, and brand, as well as assess the impact from the supply chain. 

All-in-all, this is why actionable, detailed insights and continuous optimisation are important for sustainable operations. They empower decision-makers to improve the economic performance of infrastructure while simultaneously reducing its environmental footprint. 

How to drill down on energy usage 

Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools can help bridge this gap. These solutions offer a crystal-clear, real-time view of energy consumption – from the facility as-a-whole down to individual servers. This empowers operators to make smarter equipment choices, such as identifying and addressing servers that use a lot of power that do little work. 

This involves the essential collaboration between Colocation Operators and tenants, given their intricate interdependencies. Power Utilisation Effectiveness (PUE) for a facility hinges on how effectively tenants utilise their allocated power, constituting the

 sum of all tenants’ infrastructure, which the operator doesn’t directly control. Equally vital is Power Capacity Effectiveness (PCE), calculated as total power consumed divided by total power capacity installed. For instance, the Operator might build a 100 megawatts (MW) facility but if tenants only use 20 MW with a low PUE of 1.1, the PCE is 20%. Despite the low PUE, a low PCE prompts the need for additional facilities, impacting finances and the environment. As an industry, optimising both PUE and PCE at both operator and tenant levels, particularly in retail colocation facilities, is imperative. A low PCE indicates wastage of financial resources for tenants. 

Understanding the intricate interdependency between operator and tenant infrastructure is key. It operates as a cause-and-effect relationship, forming a continuous feedback loop. The more sustainable the tenant environment, the more sustainable the data centre becomes. Consequently, the financial performance and environmental impact of each asset directly influence those of the data centre. 

So, seeing exactly how much energy is being used at any given moment – real-time monitoring – enables operators to understand more about their biggest energy guzzlers. This allows them to optimise resources by consolidating workloads and using virtual servers, which ultimately cuts down on overall energy use. 

Balancing growth with sustainability 

Gartner reports a significant data centre spending surge driven by the AI boom, which requires additional amounts of vast power. Before rushing to buy new equipment, strategic planning for energy efficiency is vital. 

Data centres scaling for AI workloads must carefully consider the long-term operational costs associated with this additional power requirement. Striking a balance between growth and environmental responsibility is important. Here’s where comprehensive energy audits come in. These data-driven assessments identify areas for improvement within existing infrastructure, allowing data centres to optimise their existing resources before resorting to new equipment purchases. 

By embracing data-driven energy management strategies and prioritising efficiency through data-driven decisions, data centres can navigate the digital future responsibly. This approach ensures they have the necessary capacity to support technological advancements while minimising their environmental impact. 

The time to act is now 

Data centres need to prepare for the future. They will need to be both powerful and eco-friendly, especially with an increasing number of businesses adopting AI. This means completely changing how they manage energy. By going beyond basic measurements and using detailed data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) tools, data centre operators can find new ways to save energy and be more inherently innovative. 

However, they must be strategic before embarking on a tech spree. Operators should use data and insights to make informed decisions about what will benefit them and their stakeholders in terms of energy consumption and sustainability.   

As data centres chart their course forward, the adoption of advanced energy management strategies will undoubtedly emerge as a defining factor in shaping their success and sustainability in the years to come.  

Jad Jebara is President and CEO of Hyperview, a leading cloud-based data centre infrastructure management company.

As urban populations continue to surge around the world, cities are under immense pressure to expand infrastructure such as housing, transportation and utilities to accommodate more people. 

The extremely limited availability of surface land is a major obstacle to these expansion efforts – going upwards with taller and taller buildings can only account for so much growth before becoming impractical and counterproductive.

Many, therefore, are looking beneath the surface for answers. Here, underground construction and tunnelling represents one of the few remaining viable options for cities to build out their infrastructure footprints without encroaching further into undeveloped suburban and rural areas. 

The global tunnelling industry is already enormous. The secotor was worth nearly $171 billion in 2021. By 2027, intensifying demands for subterranean spaces means the market will likely exceed $280 billion.

For well over a century though, tunnelling practices have relied on largely the same traditional approaches. Tunnel boring machines are an incredible feat of engineering but require a crew of workers in a hazardous process prone to logistical challenges and project risks.

But this could finally be about to change. A pioneering new method of underground construction is emerging. This new method relies on robotics to remove the need for humans to enter high-risk environments. 

How can robots revolutionise underground construction?

hyperTunnel has devised a process that represents a drastic change to the way in which we work in the ground to treat, monitor and repair.

Harnessing the power of an information rich digital twin, hyperTunnel uses an innovative approach comprising swarm robotics. This facilitates a ‘work everywhere at the same time’ construction philosophy in contrast to techniques that see slow progress from working in just one small area. 

The first step of the process involves installing a simple grid of HDPE pipes in the ground. The grid provides access along the entire length of the structure for the swarm of hundreds or thousands of semi-autonomous robots. The robots move throughout the grid and facilitate an additive manufacturing process to build the structure, somewhat akin to 3D-printing, using the geology to support the build process.

The first level of the technology, called hyperDeploy, improves the geology that is already there. Then the next technology, hyperCast, due for release during 2025, replaces the geology with new material creating the most precise lining that has ever been built.  

An AI and machine learning-integrated digital twin monitors and manages the processes and activities. 

Closer to reality than you think

To some, this may come across as otherworldly or even some form of Sci-Fi creation. However, the critical point is that all the technologies used are already proven in various and similar contexts. 

Look at how AI-powered drones have become a fixture for putting on light shows in recent years. Once viewed as a unique and innovative way to fixate audiences at events, drone light shows have morphed into a rapidly growing industry in their own right. The retort of the day “they will never replace fireworks” seems quite silly to us just five years later.

Working in groups, the drones are equipped with LED lights used to create stunning visual displays – these are precisely choreographed using AI and automation to perform intricate aerial formations, patterns and animations.

Using a swarm of automated robots, hyperTunnel works in much the same way underground. It is, therefore, not such a radical departure from reality. On the contrary, if utilised effectively, swarm robotic construction methods can deliver a range of significant benefits, not least around productivity and the environment.   

An economical alternative 

Testing has progressed to the cusp of commercialisation and deployment in the real world. In Wales, for example, hyperTunnel is building a full-scale underpass at the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE). 

Transport is just one sector which stands to benefit, not just from new construction but also in how existing Victorian era rail tunnels, road tunnels and even runways can be worked on and maintained by robotics without having to close down the site to users. 

The mining industry also heavily relies on a network of tunnels and underground structures to access and navigate sites, presenting opportunities to employ the new method during the excavation process itself. 

Indeed, the use cases and applications stretch far beyond building tunnels and underpasses from scratch. Swarm robotics can be utilised for a range of repair, reinforcement and remediation projects including slope stabilisation, dam restoration and hazardous waste containment. In the realm of water management, for instance, it could help mitigate water ingress issues in existing tunnels, bridges, culverts and other structures by facilitating improved control of water flows during leakages or flooding events.

Utility providers, too, could leverage this technology to more effectively manage their vast, complex networks of underground tunnels and passageways that deliver crucial services. 

At a broader level, underground construction powered by swarm robotics has the potential to spur economic growth by accelerating infrastructure development timelines and reducing costs. This approach provides new solutions for major national and municipal challenges and could transform the way we design and develop our cities. At the same time, it can drive job creation and investment in the high-value skills necessary for the future of construction.

A sustainable alternative 

What’s more, this construction method is significantly more sustainable than current tunnelling techniques. 

It reduces energy and water consumption, air pollution, waste generation and the amount of concrete required to build key underground structures. 

The method also uses raw materials more efficiently. Builders can easily reuse excavated soilor remove it far from city centres. Further, the method minimises the impact on protected environments and disruptions to local communities by keeping construction sites compact without the need for heavy vehicle traffic. 

And beyond lowering environmental footprints, hyperTunnel facilitates sustainable underground infrastructure such as tidal energy tunnels and affordable transit solutions that reduce journey times. It can also extend the lifecycle of existing infrastructure, improve safety and contribute to critical energy industries such as nuclear power.

Underground construction has, despite its paramount importance to the development of critical infrastructure, been fraught with practical, environmental and safety related challenges. 

Now, the development of AI-enabled swarm robotics is removing many of these obstacles. By doing the heavy lifting in every sense of the term, robots are ready to revolutionise how we build and maintain structures beneath the surface.

As artificial intelligence (AI) and high performance computing (HPC) continue to accelerate the growth of digital infrastructure, the demand for stable, reliable and sustainable power sources has surged. The good news is that statistics from the International Energy Agency show that renewable energy has surpassed fossil fuels worldwide as the main source of new electricity generation. 

However, it’s not all plain sailing as the transfer of generation from large fossil fuel power plants has left power networks less predictable and more susceptible to network faults. As a result, matching demand to available supply and building in greater system resilience is the most pressing challenge for the renewable-powered grid. 

When mismatches in energy from grid-based generators and consumers occur, grid frequencies begin to change. Then, when supply rises above demand, the frequency rises, and vice versa. The greater the intermittency of energy supply with renewable inputs, the more often imbalances arise. Furthermore, traditional frequency regulation is too slow for today’s demands where containment reserves must be able to increase or reduce electricity demand within milli-seconds.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

Data centre operators have the capacity to use their UPS systems to help balance grid services. These help to maintain a continuous supply of power. In case of unexpected disruptions, such as mains power failure, UPS systems typically provide emergency power for a short time (five to 10 minutes). They provide enough power for the IT load until the grid is back online or until additional grid generators kick in.

UPS systems, as well as battery energy storage systems (BESS) can alleviate grid infrastructure constraints and offer equipment owners the potential to provide grid services and generate new revenue streams, as well as cost savings on electricity use. These systems can also provide grid-balancing services. They enable energy independence and bolster sustainability efforts at mission critical facilities, providing flexibility in the use of utility power and are a critical step in the deployment of a dynamic power architecture. BESS solutions allow organisations to fully leverage the capabilities of hybrid power systems that include solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, and other forms of alternative energy.

According to Omdia’s Market Landscape: Battery Energy Storage Systems report, “Enabling the BESS to interact with the smart electric grid is an innovative way of contributing to the grid through the balance of energy supply and demand, the integration of renewable energy resources into the power equation, the reduction or deferral of grid infrastructure investment, and the creation of new revenue streams for stakeholders.”

Leading by example

Recognising this opportunity, Vertiv, Conapto and Fever got together to give data centres the opportunity to play an active role in stabilising the grid whilst unlocking new revenue streams. 

Conapto is a data centre provider offering colocation, connectivity and cloud services in Stockholm, Sweden. The company wanted to maximise the potential of the entire capacity of its UPS, demonstrating that data centres are not only consumers of energy but can also actively contribute to power generation, grid balancing and the circular economy. 

This innovative solution, supported with lithium-ion battery technology, provides high capacity in a compact footprint, allowing Conapto to maximise the number of racks and servers and achieve operating efficiency up to 99%. 

With the introduction of Dynamic Grid Support, Conapto is not only enhancing operational efficiency in its data centres, but also contributing to grid stability, and sustainability when paired with energy alternatives. The solution contributed to ensuring Conapto is a step closer to meeting the industry’s environmental and efficiency compliance standards, as the UPS system shows enhanced performances for maximum energy saving and CO2 emission reduction, maximum system flexibility for all installations, and reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). It is also helping Conapto to actively contribute to grid stability, potentially monetising backup capacity that would otherwise be left idle.

Looming fears of a global recession appear to be on hold for now, but the danger hasn’t entirely passed. Nevertheless, the data centre industry continues to outperform an otherwise fragile market. However, it isn’t yet clear whether or not this trend will persist as organisations around the world brace for hard times.  

Slow and (un)steady 

For now, it seems as though the risk of recession has dropped. The World Bank’s latest “Global Economic Prospects” report predicts that global growth will slow to 2.4% in 2024 before edging up to 2.7% in 2025. The odds of the US, specifically, falling into a recession are at their lowest in two years.

Researchers from Brookings point out that the slowdown last year is actually good news. “Amid wretched conditions—wars, surging inflation, and the biggest interest-rate surge in 40 years—the global economy did not suffer a significant downturn. It merely slowed,” they write. However, they acknowledge that it “would be a mistake to think the danger has passed.” 

Rising geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown in China, and surging financial stress from inhospitable rental markets, energy costs, and the rising cost of living in general while wages stagnate could all tip the scales out of balance. Across multiple industries, cost containment has returned to the top of priority lists as business leaders brace for the stone that becomes a landslide. 

One place where this doesn’t appear to be the case, however, is the data centre sector. 

Data centres buck the trends  

The data centre market is booming. According to new data from Astute Analytica, the global data centre market will reach $792.29 billion by 2032. 

Cloud spending is reportedly one major driver of data centre growth in 2024. Public cloud services spending is expected to grow by 20.4% this year, due to both price increases by cloud vendors and increased utilisation as digital transformation initiatives continue to gather steam. 

Cybersecurity investments are another factor driving investment, with around 80% of CIOs planning to increase their spending on cyber security this year. 

Most importantly, advancements in high performance computing for AI applications, like Nvidia’s expected delivery of 100,000 AI server platforms in the current year, and expanding data centre footprints are also poised to drive significant market growth. 

The explosion of AI investments, and the new pressures the technology places on data centres for computing, power, and cooling are fueling a wave of transformative shifts in data centre design, site selection, and investment strategies. With AI’s impact on the economy expected to also grow near-exponentially over the coming decade, the technology could result in the data centre sector weathering either a sluggish economy or a full blown recession.  

Hyperscale cloud companies like Microsoft and Google operate vast data centres containing tens of thousands of servers. These facilities represent massive upfront and ongoing capital investment. 

As such, hyperscale cloud companies are seeking new ways to reduce cost, optimise upgrade cycles, and reduce environmental impact. It might seem like a strange approach for facilities that span millions of square feet and consume multiple megawatts of power, but the prevailing strategy for these companies is figuring out how to do more with less. For example, for several years, hyperscalers have been running their servers hotter and hotter to save on cooling. 

The next frontier for hyperscale cloud infrastructure efficiency is the upgrade cycle. This is especially important as many hyperscalers’ large facilities are being repurposed for AI workloads, which are much more demanding than cloud storage and computing. 

Stretching the servers’ lifespan

In 2020, the industry-wide understanding was that servers in hyperscale data centres would complete an upgrade cycle every three years. Then, Meta managed to push the lifespan of its servers from three years to four at the end of 2021. By the next year, it had pushed that figure to four and a half years, then to five by 2023. 

Similarly, Amazon Web Services’ servers were operating with five year life spans by the start of last year. Microsoft was operating its servers for around four years at the same time. 

Now, Amazon has pushed the “useful life” of its servers to six years. It achieves this through a “robust maintenance and repair program designed to increase component reuse and further reduce carbon emissions and waste across [AWS’] supply chain.”

Long server life spans mean big savings 

Lengthening the upgrade cycle in data centres could lead to significant reductions in e-waste. This is especially true in hyperscale facilities that are home to tens of thousands of servers. For cloud operators like Amazon and Meta, however, the real rewards are financial. 

When Amazon pushed its server lifespan to six years, it reduced its expenditures by $900 million in a single quarter. Google also hit the six year lifespan mark in 2023. As result, the company saved $3.9 billion in depreciation. Also, it increased its net income by $3.0 billion over the course of the year.

What about the suppliers? 

Less frequent server swap-outs does bode ill for the third party manufacturers and suppliers in the hyperscale ecosystem. Billions fewer dollars spent on new hardware is bound to hurt the companies who design and manufacture it. 

However, one thing will likely compensate for the drop in demand. Right now, virtually all hyperscalers are growing their operations just as fast as their need for replacement servers drops. The majority of this demand is expected to stem from AI. Throughout the industry, new money is pouring into building facilities capable of supporting the higher load from generative AI. 

“AI infrastructure spending is propping up the revenue streams for servers and storage,” noted The Next Platform. At the same time, the article adds that “underlying spending for datacenter gear for other workloads has gotten even weaker” compared with H1 2023. 

Early this year, Baron Fung, a Senior Research Director at Dell’Oro Group noted that data centre spending to support AI workloads would likely exceed $200 billion by 2028. “In order to drive long-term sustainable growth, the cloud service providers will seek to streamline general-purpose computing infrastructure costs by transitioning to next-generation server platforms and rack-scale architectures,” he added.  

Nuclear energy is increasingly recognised as a complementary method of energy generation to renewables. Now, a new generation of smaller, modular reactors could be used to power a new generation of data centres. Abundant nuclear energy could see the next generaiton of campuases built at never-before-seen scales. It’s a potentially necessary step for the industry, as operators look for ways to host burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. 

Nuclear-powered Bitcoin 

Back in 2021, the Ukrainian government needed cash. Maybe someone thought it would be useful to have some liquid funds to hand. You know, in case they needed to buy several billion dollars worth of tanks, missiles, and bullets a year later. But, really, who can say? 

As part of its efforts to create new revenue streams for the country, the Ukrainian government decided to invest heavily in building some of the largest data centres the region had seen. The sites would have a capacity of somewhere between 250 MW and 500 MW—almost unthinkably large. The plan was to use them to mine bitcoin. Today, the idea of peacetime Ukraine, a 250 MW data centre being considered unthinkably big, and a massive crypto-mining scheme seems dated.

However, one aspect of the story puts the whole thing ahead of its time. Had their construction not been derailed by Putin’s invasion a year later, the massive data centres would have been powered by neclear energy.

Built next door to one of the country’s four biggest nuclear generators, the government’s hope was that “the data centres would help use idle load and reduce the burden on transmission systems”.

Now, it’s uncertain if the facility will ever be completed. However, the idea of using nuclear energy as a source of cheap, clean electricity to fuel increasingly power-hungry data centres has, at the very least, outlived the crypto movement. 

Nuclear powered data centres? 

Driven by the increased need for capacity amid the AI boom, data centre operators are scrambling for ways to cost-effectively and sustainably fuel a new generation of facilities. 

“A normal data centre needs 32 megawatts of power flowing into the building. For an AI data centre it’s 80 megawatts,” Chris Sharp, CEO of Digital Realty told the BBC in February 2024. “Our industry has to find another source of power.” 

The increasing demand for clean energy in the midst of an already sluggish global transition away from fossil fuels is pushing the data centre sector into an energy crunch. Expanding capacity while moving towards net zero seems logically impossible. 

Renewables like solar and wind provide huge amounts of power some of the time. However, when the wind dies down and the sun sets, that power goes away. Data centres need a baseline source of reliable, abundant, cheap power. 

SMRs and data centres: a perfect match? 

Increasingly, that seems to be nuclear. This is especially true as small modular reactors (SMRs) grow in popularity.

These smaller, modular reactors are gaining popularity in countries with ageing large scale nuclear capabilities like France and Belgium.

Not only that, but countries tat never built out nuclear infrastructure to a great degree are also exploring the possibility of SMRs. The UK, for example, is strongly supporting SMR adoption. There are plans in place to invest £20 billion over 20 years to develop a fleet of power plants covering up to 25% of the country’s electricity needs. Leading this effort is Rolls-Royce, which aims to deploy 16 of its 470MW SMR generators across the UK. 

If SMRs can provide abundant clean electricity, what’s to stop you bolting one to a data centre? 

Nuclear data centre campuses

In the US, Microsoft recently put out feelers to hire a “principal program manager” to lead the company’s nuclear energy strategy. In the country’s data centre capital, Virginia, Green Energy Partners (GEP) recently moved a step closer to building a campus powered by SMR technology. The 641 acre plot could eventually house 19 data centres powered by “four to six” SMRs. 

Commercially available SMRs probably won’t hit the market in the US until the end of the decade. Nevertheless, early stage designs recently approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission have already caused a stir in the country’s data centre market. The reactor certified for use in the US by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission generates approximately 50MW of power. The facility also uses a light-water design, requiring a facility about a third of the size of a standard power plant. 

AI power consumption goes nuclear

The amount of readily available power from SMRs could be a vital answer to the looming question of AI. The technology is already putting a heavy finger on the scales of data centre power consumption. The graphic processing units used to host generative AI consume four times the power of cloud servers. At the current pace of adoption, McKinsey estimates the power needs data centres in the US will jump from 2022’s 17 GW to 35 GW by 2030.

“That’s going to put such a strain on resources, particularly on power infrastructure, let alone data centre capacity infrastructure,” Dominic Ward, chief executive of data centre company Verne Global, told Reuters.

Operators are also paying attention to the possible the green credentials of nuclear power in data centre infrastructure. “There is a well up of interest in nuclear as a potential solution for power-constrained markets that the data centre industry has been challenged with,” Alan Howard, a principal analyst at Omdia told Data Centre Knowledge. “It’s really clean energy. To get to a net-zero economy, nuclear is going to have to play a big role.”