Singtel and Hitachi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on developing data centers and GPU Cloud services in Japan and potentially across the Asia Pacific region. This partnership will leverage Singtel's expertise in data centers, connectivity, and technology platforms alongside Hitachi's end-to-end data center integration capabilities, which include green power solutions, cooling systems, storage infrastructure, and data management, Singtel said in a joint statement on Monday.
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Expanding Previous Collaboration
Notably, the agreement builds on a partnership announced by the companies in June 2024 to trial and integrate Singtel's Paragon, the orchestration platform for 5G, edge computing, and cloud, with Hitachi's AI applications for its manufacturing operations as well as enterprise customers. Through Singtel's Paragon platform and Hitachi's AI expertise, both companies aim to address the complexities faced by customers when deploying AI capabilities, the official release said.
Digital InfraCo’s Role and Plans
Singtel established Digital InfraCo in mid-2023. Its portfolio includes Nxera, its regional data center arm, subsea cable and satellite businesses, and the Paragon platform, all of which are crucial to advancing AI in the region. Digital InfraCo plans to launch GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) later this year to better support enterprise AI adoption.
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Singtel's Digital InfraCo unit, specifically through its data center arm Nxera, will collaborate with Hitachi to explore opportunities for developing advanced, sustainable data centers across Japan and the Asia Pacific region. These data centers aim to support the growing demand for AI and cloud services by operating smart, high-efficiency facilities with a focus on sustainability.
Nxera is developing a platform of sustainable, hyper-connected, AI-ready data centers in the region, with a total capacity of more than 200 MW in addition to 62 MW of existing capacity in Singapore.
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Internal AI Applications
Hitachi will explore using Singtel's GPUaaS for its internal AI applications and workloads. This effort will allow Hitachi to verify the complementary benefits of Singtel's services that can enhance its high-performance machine learning, generative AI, and other digital technologies and solutions, the official release said.
This MOU marks a significant step for both companies as they aim to accelerate AI adoption and digital transformation for enterprises across Asia Pacific.
