Singtel and Hitachi, Ltd. have collaborated on next-generation data centers and GPU clouds to promote enterprise digital transformation through AI adoption.
Singtel said that the two companies had signed an MOU to collaborate on next-generation data centers and GPU Cloud in Japan and possibly the Asia Pacific area under its Digital InfraCo arm.
The strategic partnership will combine Singtel’s data center and connectivity expertise and technology platforms with Hitachi’s unique ability to integrate green power, cooling, storage, and data management.
The firms want to sustainably improve data center performance and capacities to accelerate AI adoption and enterprise digital transformation.
The agreement builds on a June 2024 partnership to trial and integrate Singtel’s Paragon, an all-in-one orchestration platform for 5G, edge computing, and cloud, with Hitachi’s AI applications for manufacturing and enterprise customers.
Both firms intend to simplify AI deployment for customers with Singtel’s Paragon platform and Hitachi’s deep AI knowledge.
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Japan is one of Asia Pacific’s largest and fastest-growing data center markets due to rising demand for AI and cloud services. The market is predicted to expand 9.8% annually to US$5 billion by 2028.
“Our strategic partnership with Hitachi, a leader in digital systems and services fields, opens up new opportunities in a strategically important and expanding Japanese market, Building a strong ecosystem of partners has always been a priority at Singtel to better serve our customers and broaden our global reach,” said Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Singtel’s Digital InfraCo. We look forward to bringing our collective expertise, digital assets and solutions to help more enterprises innovate and transform their businesses and operations through the cloud and AI, As we scale our digital capabilities with our partners like Hitachi, we aim to become a leader in the Asia Pacific region,” he added.
In mid-2023, Singtel created Digital InfraCo to support innovation and growth in Asia Pacific’s digital economies. Digital InfraCo’s Nxera regional data center, subsea cable and satellite businesses, and Paragon platform are essential to regional AI advancement. Digital InfraCo will launch GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) later this year to facilitate enterprise AI adoption.
“By combining Singtel’s expertise in the development and operation of sustainable data centers with the comprehensive capabilities of the Hitachi Group, ranging from green power solutions to facility and data management, we aim to enable companies to utilize data centers in an intelligent and environmentally conscious manner; ultimately achieving continuous innovation while promoting sustainability,” said Toshiaki Tokunaga, Executive Vice President and Executive Officer at Hitachi.
The statement says AI-driven data center expansion is a major opportunity for Hitachi’s Social Innovation business expansion and its group businesses like Hitachi Digital Services, Hitachi Energy, and others because it requires the successful integration of Hitachi’s strengths in information technology, operational technology, and products.
The MOU discusses next-generation data center collaboration in Japan and Asia Pacific to meet AI demand and merging Singtel’s GPU platform with Hitachi’s AI knowledge to develop corporate applications.
Nxera and Hitachi will investigate data center development in Japan and Asia Pacific.
The statement stressed the importance of high-efficiency, high-quality data center management to operate smart and environmentally sustainable data centers as cloud and AI momentum grows.
This initiative would combine Nxera’s expertise in data center design, building, and operation with Hitachi’s expertise in data-center equipment, next-generation energy solutions, and advanced IT systems management to ensure data center stability.
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Nxera is building a platform of sustainable, hyper-connected AI-ready data centers in the region with over 200 MW of capacity, in addition to 62MW in Singapore.
Hitachi may use Singtel’s GPUaaS for internal AI workloads. Hitachi could test complementing Singtel-based benefits to improve its high-performance machine learning, generative AI, and other digital technologies and solutions.
This would allow both industries to develop more power-efficient methods that might help any company achieve its sustainability goals.
After Hitachi’s internal GPUaaS verification, the businesses may co-create enterprise-grade apps that combine Hitachi’s generative AI technologies and platform with Singtel’s GPU cloud and Paragon platform.
To reduce client development and deployment timeframes and AI application administration and deployment overhead.
About Singtel
Singtel, Asia’s largest communications technology group, offers consumers and companies next-generation connectivity, 5G, technology, and infotainment. Over 740 million mobile users in 21 countries are served by the Group throughout Asia, Australia, and Africa. It provides corporate infrastructure and technology services in 21 countries from over 428 direct locations in 362 cities.
About Hitachi
Hitachi meets customer and societal expectations through technology and innovation. “Contribute to society through the development of superior, original technology and products.”
