Meta, NEC, and Sumitomo Electric to Collaborate on “Petal,” the World’s First Petabit Transoceanic Submarine Cable System

Realizing ultrahigh-capacity transmission with multi-core fiber technology to meet communication demands in the AI era

Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701), and Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Electric) have started collaboration to build “Petal,” the world’s first commercial petabit (*) optical submarine cable system.

In recent years,​the need for resilient, reliable​connectivity​has grown rapidly​​ as​communication traffic has continued to increase. The transatlantic route connecting North America and Europe in particular serves as a crucial communication infrastructure linking major digital hubs, and further increases in communication capacity and efficiency are urgently required.

Petal will become a transatlantic optical submarine system that will span approximately 7,000 km between the United States and France and is scheduled to commence operation in 2029.

Petal will employ two-core fiber, with two optical transmission paths within a single fiber and an advanced single-housing repeater technology with reduced power consumption, enabling single-end feeding for maximum network resilience. With 48 pairs of spatial channels (core-pairs), Petal will achieve a transoceanic transmission capacity that doubles​​Anjana, the world’s first transoceanic​​24 fiber-pair system (​another collaboration between ​​Meta, NEC, and Sumitomo Electric​) and aims to be the world’s first petabit-class optical submarine cable system.

Meta will​ ​fund and operate the cable system​​. As part of this, NEC will be responsible for the overall design and construction of the two-core system, and Sumitomo Electric will provide the two-core fiber for the submarine cable system construction.

Alex-Handrah Aimé, Vice President, Network Investments, Meta​​​, “Meta continues to invest in digital infrastructure, such as subsea cables, because they are foundational to delivering the high quality services our end users expect from us. Petal will set a new standard for what cable systems can deliver and is a testament to the deep collaboration and innovation between Meta, NEC, and Sumitomo Electric​​.”​​​

Eduardo Mateo, Chief Strategy Officer, Submarine Network Division, NEC Corporation, “Achieving petabit-per-second capacity across a transoceanic submarine system represents a major technological milestone in the history of global telecommunications. This achievement reflects NEC’s sustained investment in research and development, combined with decades of experience delivering some of the world’s most advanced, reliable, and secure submarine networks that interconnect the globe.”

Takehiko OKADA, General Manager, Optical Fiber & Cable Division, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., “We are thrilled that Sumitomo Electric’s innovative submarine multi-core fiber, ‘2C Z-PLUS ULL Fiber’ will contribute to ‘Petal,’ an epoch-making Pb-class transatlantic cable system. As a pioneer with nearly four decades of experience in ultra-low loss submarine fiber manufacturing, we are committed to supporting the global network expansion essential to realizing a highly digital future.”

(*) Petabit (Pb): A unit of data volume. One petabit equals​​​​​​1,000​terabits​. Petal will enable ultra-large-volume data communications at the petabit level per second.

About NEC

The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.

NEC Collaborates with Japan’s Defense Innovation Institute on Next‑Gen Underwater Acoustic AI

• NEC Begins Research to Establish a Leading
• Underwater Acoustic Platform Model. 
• Awarded a Contract by Japan’s Agency for Defense Equipment,

Enabling High-Precision, Rapid Visualization of the Ocean Using Sound and AI~
NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) has been awarded a contract for “Research on Underwater Acoustic Foundation Models Using Self-Supervised Learning (Part 1),” with a focus on dual-use applications, as part of the “Innovative Breakthrough Research” (*1) program conducted by the Defense Innovation Science and Technology Institute of Japan’s Agency for Defense Equipment. NEC has commenced research on this project and aims to complete development of a foundation model by fiscal year 2027.

This project involves training a model on vast amounts of underwater acoustic data to build a world-leading foundational model for underwater acoustics. The goal is to realize general-purpose generative AI, similar to large language models (LLMs), in the field of underwater acoustics.

Utilizing this foundational model will enable more accurate and rapid understanding of underwater phenomena and facilitate the creation of a digital twin of the ocean. This is expected to greatly enhance application possibilities, not only for defense purposes but also for areas such as the exploration of marine life, resources and environmental monitoring, as well as for high-precision earthquake prediction and other uses.

Overview of the Underwater Acoustics Foundation Model Under Development

Background

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and hold many mysteries. Today, efforts are underway to promote their sustainable use—including the exploration of marine life, resources, and the prediction of events occurring on the seafloor. Since light and radio waves barely penetrate the water, the use of sound waves is an effective method for a wide range of observations and recognition tasks. Underwater sound waves are captured as underwater acoustic data using sonar and hydrophones, and are analyzed by skilled experts who employ advanced signal processing techniques and expertise. However, analyzing such vast amounts of data requires a great deal of time and concentration, and there are limitations to the level of accuracy that can be achieved.

About the Underwater Acoustic Foundation Model

While the development of language foundation models is advancing worldwide, few general-purpose foundation models for underwater acoustics have been realized, and development has been limited to AI models specialized for specific applications or tasks. Conventional AI models require large amounts of “labeled data,” making them difficult to apply to applications or tasks where only a small amount of labeled data can be collected. In the field of underwater acoustics in particular, collecting labeled data is challenging, making it difficult to build large-scale AI models.

Building on over 90 years of experience in sonar technology development, NEC will develop a general-purpose underwater acoustics foundation model. This effort will leverage the large-scale learning expertise gained through “cotomi” (*2), NEC’s proprietary AI technology, as well as AI technology based on self-supervised learning, which enables the utilization of large volumes of data even in the absence of labeled data. The large-scale underwater acoustics data used for training will be collected through public-private partnerships.

Future Developments

NEC will collaborate with the Defense Innovation Science and Technology Institute, aiming to develop this foundational model, demonstrate its effectiveness, and complete its construction by fiscal year 2027.

Moving forward, NEC will continue to promote research and development aimed at high-precision visualization and a better understanding of the underwater environment. Furthermore, by contributing to both the strengthening of defense capabilities and the development of the maritime industry through the implementation of this foundational model—and by accelerating dual-use applications—NEC will contribute to the realization of a safe, secure, and sustainable society.

Notes:

(*1) The Innovative Breakthrough Research program is conducted under managers recruited from outside Japan’s Ministry of Defense. This is part of an initiative by the Agency for Defense Equipment to create innovative and groundbreaking functions and technologies that fundamentally strengthen defense capabilities or transform society.

(*2)

“cotomi” is a core AI technology developed by NEC.

https://group.nec/jp/ja/solutions/ai/llm/ (Japanese website)

About NEC

The NEC Group leverages technology to create social value and promote a more sustainable world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential. NEC Corporation was established in 1899. Today, the NEC Group’s approximately 110,000 employees utilize world-leading AI, security, and communications technologies to solve the most pressing needs of customers and society.

Avaloq’s Acquisition by NEC Successfully Completed

Avaloq, a Swiss-based global leader in digital banking solutions and wealth management technology, and Japan-based NEC Corporation today announced the closing of NEC’s acquisition of Avaloq. Each being a market leader in their own field, the combination of their shared vision, technological strengths, and global presence, will accelerate both companies’ long-term growth, global expansion and value creation strategy. 

This acquisition was first announced in October 2020, and following receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals, the acquisition was completed on December 22, 2020. NEC now holds 100% of Avaloq’s shares, including the 45% previously held by private equity firm Warburg Pincus, as well as the remaining shares held by Avaloq’s founder Francisco Fernandez and by employees.

Founded in 1985, Avaloq provides powerful cloud solutions for banks and wealth managers around the globe through business process as a service (BPaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) along with on-premise solutions. Avaloq’s vision for the future of wealth management is to maintain the human relationship an investor has with an advisor, to enhance the relationship through technology and to increase engagement and satisfaction. The democratization of wealth management will allow more people to have access to a greater quantity and quality of investment strategies and advice that was once reserved for ultra and high net worth individuals only.

With more than 120 years of expertise, NEC is a leader in the integration of IT and network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. Listed on the Tokyo stock exchange, NEC is a truly global organization with office locations in more than 50 countries.

 

Masakazu Yamashina, Executive Vice President of NEC and new chairman of Avaloq, said: “With its 35-year heritage and focus on innovation in digital banking solutions, core banking software and wealth management technology, Avaloq is uniquely qualified to launch NEC into the Digital Finance field, which together with Digital Government, is one of the pillars for building NEC’s global growth. Our joint value proposition will build on Avaloq’s reliable digital finance products and the trust it has established amongst its clients, coupled with NEC’s cutting-edge technologies, global business network and digital government domain knowledge.”

Jurg Hunziker, CEO of Avaloq, said: “Avaloq will be entering a new era together with NEC. This transaction has generated much interest and we truly believe that NEC is the best partner for our business. Our solutions will only evolve for the better when leveraging NEC’s proven expertise with technologies related to Digital Identity, Artificial Intelligence, Verification, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and Biometrics. In addition, our innovation capabilities will be elevated with NEC’s strong commitment to Research & Development, evidenced by the resources it has placed towards this, including dedicated facilities in Heidelberg, Germany. I am very much looking forward to starting this new part of our exciting growth journey together with NEC."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201222005751/en/

NEC Corp Eyes India's Smart Digital Solutions Opportunities, Eyes $1 Bn Revenue in 5 Yrs

Japan-based NEC Corporation, which was also involved in Aaadhaar implementation programme in India, is looking to tap opportunities in smart digital solutions space in the country and has set a revenue target of USD 1 billion in five years from here, according to a company official.

Besides, the IT solutions provider is betting big on the cyber security segment in view of ever-rising incidents of cyberthreats.

NEC Corporation contributed to the implementation of Aadhaar Programme in India by providing its biometrics identification system and has recently completed the trial of a flying car in Japan.

The company at present is laying down submarine cable from Chennai to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a 2,300-km long under sea project expected to be completed in 2020.

"We understand that India is a big market. So far we have somewhere around like USD 400 million worth business in India. Within five years probably we look at USD 1 billion or something like that revenue target," NEC Corporation president and CEO Takashi Niino said.

He further said NEC Corp is working on a number of smart digital solutions aimed at providing better financial services and delivering upgraded facilities at places like airports, shopping centres, offices and hotels.

All these sectors in India are growing, Niino said adding that looking at the practice worldwide these all will sooner or later require smart data solutions.

NEC's multimodal authentication solutions is called "Bio-IDiom" that performs biometric authentication based on multiple sources, such as face, iris, fingerprint, palm print, finger vein, voice, and ear acoustic information.

The Bio-IDiom is in use at Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Niino said.

NEC's AI Analysis for road degradation solution can help in identifying the roads having cracks. This solution is best for civic bodies as the AI technology can automatically calculate the crack percentage and flatness of the road.

India is moving towards digitization and smart cities are high on government's agenda and these technologies can be part of new India, he said while inviting the customers and investors to Japan to visit its NEC Future Creation Hub in Tokyo.

Niino also informed that NEC has successfully completed a fingerprint identification technology trials with newborn children from as young as 2 to 24 hours old, which was not possible with conventional technologies.

"With this innovative technology, biometric identification of a new born is possible. Until now Aadhaar is applicable only for a person from age of 5 and above.

"This type of technology can help in identification of child by parents in countries where child stealing is prevalent. We at times hear cases of child being changed at hospitals," the NEC Corporation president said.

NEC Corporation has over 98,000 employees and operations in public, enterprise, telecom carrier, system platform and various other sectors in over 168 countries and territories, including India.

In India, the NEC Laboratories India Ltd has set up two laboratories at Mumbai and Bengaluru where it carries out research and development work for new technologies.

A major part of its work in India includes government projects both central and states besides private clientele.

NEC, CSIR sign MoU to Use AI, ML based Solutions for Society like Water Shortages, Energy, Agri

NEC Technologies India (NECTI), a subsidiary of NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701), and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) signed an MoU to collaborate in the development of innovative solutions using big data analytics and High-Performance Computing (HPC). 

Under this collaboration, NECTI and CSIR will jointly harness the capabilities of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in data science to solve critical issues plaguing society in areas including water shortages, energy, agriculture, healthcare and social security. 

NECTI and CSIR plan to set up a Center of Excellence to create and test new solutions. It will also facilitate local talent development, particularly in the areas of big data analytics and machine learning. 

[caption id="attachment_138828" align="aligncenter" width="962"] NEC and CSIR signs MoU[/caption]

Mr. Takayuki Inaba, Managing Director, NECTI said, “This collaboration between NECTI and the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research combines our strengths and expertise and will help spur the development of innovative solutions across verticals such as Smart City, Smart Healthcare and Smart Agriculture in India. We are proud to be a part of this joint effort to empower India’s businesses and its citizens.”    

Dr Shekhar Mande, DG, CSIR and Secretary said, “We are delighted to partner with NEC Technologies India and believe that this cooperation will open up new avenues of research. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration as we work towards building a safe and secure society.”

Headquartered in Japan, NEC brings more than 100 years of expertise in technological innovation to provide solutions for empowering people, businesses and society.

NEC started operations in India in the 1950s, accelerating its growth through the expansion of business to global markets. NEC in India expanded its business from telecommunications to public safety, logistics, transportation, retail, finance, unified communication and IT platforms, serving across governments, businesses as well as individuals. With its Centre of Excellence for analytics platform solutions, big data, biometrics, mobile and retail, NEC in India offers innovative new services and solutions for India and global markets. NEC operates across India with offices in New Delhi (head office), Noida, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Other product or service marks mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. 

The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), known for its cutting edge R&D knowledgebase in diverse S&T areas, is a contemporary R&D organization. Having a pan-India presence, CSIR has a dynamic network of 38 national laboratories, 39 outreach centres, 3 Innovation Complexes and 5 units. CSIR’s R&D expertise and experience is embodied in about 4600 active scientists supported by about 8000 scientific and technical personnel.

CSIR covers a wide spectrum of science and technology – from radio and space physics, oceanography, geophysics, chemicals, drugs, genomics, biotechnology and nanotechnology to mining, aeronautics, instrumentation, environmental engineering and information technology. It provides significant technological intervention in many areas with regard to societal efforts which include environment, health, drinking water, food, housing, energy, farm and non-farm sectors. Further, CSIR’s role in S&T human resource development is noteworthy.

CSIR is ranked at 84th among 4851 institutions worldwide and is the only Indian organization among the top 100 global institutions, according to the Scimago Institutions Ranking World Report 2014. CSIR holds the 17th rank in Asia and leads the country at the first position.

Japan's NEC shows Flying Car Hovering Steadily for A Minute

Japanese electronics maker NEC Corp. has shown a "flying car," a large drone-like machine with four propellers that hovered steadily for about a minute.

The test flight Monday reaching 3 meters (10 feet) high was held in a gigantic cage, as a safety precaution, at an NEC facility in a Tokyo suburb.
The Japanese government is behind flying cars with the goal of having people zipping around in them by the 2030s.

Similar projects are popping up around world, such as Uber Air of the U.S.

A flying car by Japanese startup Cartivator crashed quickly in a 2017 demonstration. Cartivator Chief Executive Tomohiro Fukuzawa, who was at Monday's demonstration, said their machines were also flying longer lately.

NEC is among the more than 80 sponsor companies for Cartivator's flying car. AP