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Microsoft tapped Lumen to supply private fiber connectivity between its data centers
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Lumen believes network resources are becoming a scarce resource in the era of AI
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As part of the partnership, Lumen is adopting Azure to streamline its own business and network operations
With near-term artificial intelligence (AI) demand outstripping available capacity, Microsoft has called in some backup. The tech titan has enlisted Lumen to provide high-bandwidth connectivity between its growing number of data centers via a new Private Connectivity Fabric offering. Lumen’s CMO Ryan Asdourian hinted the deal could be the first in a series of such partnerships, as network infrastructure becomes the next scarce resource in the era of AI.
“When the world has talked about what’s needed for AI, you usually hear about power, space and cooling…[these] have been the scarce resources,” Asdourian told Fierce.
“Now with demand increasing at an incredible rate, I think what Microsoft was finding and what others are finding is that that demand for fiber and the routes and the network capacity and capabilities, that’s becoming the scarce resource right now.”
The CMO’s comments echo similar sentiments from Flexential’s CEO, who recently told Fierce dark fiber access could become the next cloud bottleneck.
Asdourian said Lumen will offer Microsoft access to a combination of new and existing routes in the U.S., and will overpull fiber where necessary. However, he declined to specify the speeds which will be made available or exactly how many of Microsoft’s data centers it will be connecting.
Interestingly, though it will be riding on Lumen’s infrastructure, Microsoft will retain full control over network speeds, routes and redundancy options through the operator’s freshly launched Private Connectivity Fabric digital interface.
Think of it as Lumen’s way of bringing that old Burger King slogan to life. It’s allowing customers to ‘have it your way’ when it comes to the network.
“That is not something traditional telecom has allowed,” Asdourian said.
Microsoft is a natural first partner for Lumen’s Private Connecitivty Fabric. Afterall, it is one of a handful of leaders in the AI realm, and it doesn’t hurt that Lumen’s CEO Kate Johnson is a former Microsoft exec.
Asked whether it has other hyperscale deals up its sleeve, Asdourian gave a roundabout answer.
“I am hopeful that this is a continued need by companies,” he said. “Every company, on lots of products will always have a question of do we build this or buy this, and Lumen’s here with the infrastructure, with the conduit, with the existing network and ability to build new network quickly.”
So reading between the lines, the answer is probably yes.
Futureproofing the business
The rollout of Private Connectivity Fabric and its partnership with Microsoft is all part of Lumen’s plan to revamp its network and services with an eye toward the future.
Asdourian noted that Lumen isn’t just looking to enable AI, but also incorporate it into its own operations. Indeed, part of its partnership deal with Microsoft involves Lumen’s adoption of Azure cloud and other Microsoft services to streamline its internal and network systems. For example, Asdourian said AI could be used to make routing and switching on its network more intelligent and efficient.
Lumen indicated the modernization of its workloads and processes using Microsoft’s tech is expected to improve cash flow by more than $20 million over the next 12 months.
“To transform others, we have to transform ourselves and have AI powering what we’re doing,” he concluded. “We have multiple teams that are driving against this.”