NEDAS Live! Where Wireline and Wireless Meet

This recap episode of 2023 provides insights into the evolution of the data center industry, the rapid growth of data center development in the Nordics, the importance of education in technology, and the need for public understanding of data centers. This program features discussions on the shift in the industry towards specific platform requirements for applications, the significant development of data centers in the Nordics driven by environmental and energy considerations, the impact of education on technological interest, and the necessity of public education about data centers. The content touches on various aspects of the global digital infrastructure industry and its implications for technology, education, and society.

This week's program is a special edition, brought to you by our friends at Center Maryland with industry disruptor, Quantum Loophole, the first master-planned data center community reshaping the way site selection and giga-watt scale data centers are brought to market. Richard Paul-Hus joins Center Maryland’s The Lobby to discuss the Quantum Loophole data project in Maryland. In 2021, Quantum Loophole acquired over 2,100 acres of land in Frederick County, Maryland to develop a first-of-its kind master-plan data center community. Richard Paul-Hus is the Senior Vice President of Quantum Loophole. Learn more about the Quantum Loophole project here. Building Data Centers – And Maryland’s Future: https://centermaryland.org/blog/building-data-centers-and-marylands-future/  Subscribe to Center Maryland’s Daily Newsletter, The Morning Rundown, here.

This episode features a conversation with Craig Huffman, Co-Founder and CEO of Metro Edge Development Partners, a real estate developer creating an exclusive data center for the Illinois Medical District in downtown Chicago. Craig discusses the data center industry’s responsibility to educate communities, the economic opportunities data centers provide, and debunks myths about data centers and jobs. He also reveals how his background positioned him to lead this pioneering development as likely the only African-American spearheading such a data center project in the country.

This episode features a conversation with Bob VanDelinder, VP of Sales for Empire Access about the evolution of internet and communications technology over the past 25 years. Bob shares his experience working for Empire Access, a 100+ year old internet service provider, during the transition from dial-up to DSL to fiber optic broadband. He discusses how customer needs and internet applications have changed dramatically, requiring faster speeds and more bandwidth, and how Empire Access has adapted to provide the "fastest internet in the Northeast." He also talks about Empire Access's recent expansion into new markets in upstate New York and Pennsylvania, bringing high-speed fiber internet to towns and cities for the first time.

This episode features a conversation with Steve Scott, a veteran executive with over 20 years of experience across data centers, connectivity, and subsea infrastructure.  Steve discusses the evolution of the industry, from the early dotcom boom days when data centers were just real estate plays, to the new focus on power, efficiency, and renewables. He also shares insights on major trends like the explosion of AI, shifts in global subsea cable connectivity, and the challenges around sustainable power solutions for massive hyper-scale data centers.

This episode features a conversation with Steve Smith, Chief Revenue Officer of LiveOak Fiber. Steve reveals how LiveOak Fiber started from a PowerPoint and Excel sheet and has become a game-changer with 84 employees, nearly a thousand customers, and offices in two states. Learn how strategic market selection, local talent engagement, and community-driven growth have shaped Live Oak Fiber's journey. 

This episode features a conversation with Joe Reele, Vice President of Solution Architects at Schneider Electric. Joe discusses the evolution of AI, its historical roots, and why it's gaining momentum now. Discover the innovative ways data centers are adapting to the demands of AI applications and the ethical and societal implications of this technological revolution. 

This episode features a conversation with Carrie Goetz, author of the book "Jumpstart Your Career in Data Centers: Featuring Careers for Women, Trades, and Veterans in Tech and Data Centers." To learn more about Carrie and to get the book, visit: https://carriegoetz.com/ 

Nabeel Mahmood, Co-founder and CEO of the Nomad Futurist Foundation, joins the program to share his personal journey and to discuss how the Foundation helps to unravel the mysteries of the digital infrastructure industry and ignite a passion for it among the youth.

Carol Browne, Director of Infrastructure Business Development for Tampnet, joins the program to provide an overview of her organization, including how they support the oil and gas industry. Discover how Tampnet has become a global leader in providing high capacity, low latency, and reliable connectivity to mobile rigs, and vessels. Carol also reveals the unique capabilities that Tampnet offers companies that are looking for stronger connectivity in the Nordics.   

This episode features a conversation with Jeremy Pease, the new CEO of ColoHouse. Jeremy discusses his career journey and reveals details about the refresh and relaunch of the ColoHouse brand. He also shares his mission and vision for the organization and the number of customers that they currently serve.           

This episode features a conversation with Rob Williams, VP of Product Marketing at FirstLight. Headquartered in Albany, New York, FirstLight provides fiber-optic data, internet, data center, cloud, unified communications, and managed services to enterprise and carrier customers throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Discover the top 3 problems that FirstLight is solving for their customers and FirstLight's approach to the convergence problem. 

This episode features a conversation with executives from MOX and Telescent as they provide an overview of their respective organizations and reveal how MOX deploys the Telescent Network Topology Manager to remotely automate their customer’s fiber connectivity between data center locations. 

This episode features a conversation with Bruce Lancaster, President and CEO of Wilson Electronics. Discover how Wilson Electronics has evolved and innovated to overcome supply chain challenges and the impact that of the COVID-19 pandemic on market growth.       

This episode features a conversation with Michael Morey, President and CEO of Bluebird Network as he discusses the definition of a super regional carrier, the history of the industry and the evolution of technological developments.     

This episode features a conversation with Vijai Karthigesu, Founder and CEO of Swarmio Media, as he discusses enhancing network performance for gamers.   

Bernard Borghei, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Operations at Vertical Bridge, joins the program to discuss industry growth and how his organization became the world's first carbon- neutral tower company. He also discusses the ways in which Vertical Bridge gives back to the communities where they live and their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Matthew Trifiro. CMO at Vapor IO joins the program to provide an overview of his organization and shares his perspective on the how the edge has evolved since the inception of Vapor I0. You’ll also hear details about Vapor IO’s INZONE program, which delivers end-to-end Industry 4.0 solutions with the Kinetic Grid platform and partner solutions.

 Jim Fagan, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer for Global Cloud Xchange (GCX), joins the program to discuss current trends, differences in emerging markets and the impact of the demand for increased bandwidth. Discover the challenges and opportunities when it comes to subsea cable, and how GCX is helping to provide diversity and resiliency for customers. 

A conversation with NEDAS President, Ilissa Miller and Don van Splunteren, a 20+ year Telecom Business Executive. Tune-in to hear about the dichotomy of the pandemic on digital communications infrastructure, the infrastructure shifts in motion and required, the evolution of xG wireless networks and how the shift to 5G is based on re-architecting our communications infrastructure setting the stage for future innovation.