Bloomberg today reported that Apple is working to build a high-speed network, including upgraded data centers in order to better compete with offerings from Google, Amazon, and other cloud service providers.
The improved infrastructure will enable Apple to provide faster delivery of cloud-based content and services such as iCloud, iTunes and Siri.
The high-speed network could be used for Apple’s much-rumored music and television streaming services. We’ll likely hear about the music streaming service at today’s WWDC 2015 keynote, however the television service is said to be delayed.
“Apple’s push to build a stronger cloud infrastructure combines two initiatives: Building out a faster network and upgrading data centers. While Apple hasn’t disclosed total costs, investments will run into the billions. Apple put $1 billion into data centers last year, according to Analysys, which pegged it as the seventh-largest cloud infrastructure spender in 2014.”
Apple currently has data centers in California, Nevada, North Carolina and Oregon. Apple is said to be developing ways to send data via fiber lines at hundreds of gigabits per second.
“Apple wants to own pipes linking its four large U.S. data centers and Internet hubs in certain cities to ensure fast, reliable delivery of content and services. By adding capacity and increasing efficiency, it seeks to handle more traffic on its own, without renting as much server space from cloud providers such as Amazon and Microsoft, said people with knowledge of the plan, who asked not to be identified because Apple isn’t discussing the moves publicly. They declined to name the cities involved.”
While Apple will continue to use equipment from Hewlett-Packard and Cisco, they are said to be inn negotiations with companies that could help it design its own equipment. The new gear would primarily be used in future data centers, such as those planned for Arizona, Ireland, Denmark and elsewhere.
