As data centers push toward terabit-scale bandwidth, legacy copper interconnects are hitting their limit or as the industry calls it, the “copper cliff.” Traditional copper cabling, once the workhorse of short-reach connectivity, has become too thick, too inflexible, and too short to keep pace with the scale of xPU bandwidth growth in the data center. On the other hand, optical solutions will work but are saddled with the “optical penalty,” that includes power-hungry and expensive electrical and optical components, manufacturing design complexity,  latency challenges and more importantly, reliability issues after deployment.

With performance, cost, and operational downsides increasing for both copper and optical interconnect, network operators are looking beyond the old interconnect paradigm and toward more scalable options to scale at the pace of the next generation AI clusters in data centers.

Enter e-Tube: the industry’s third interconnect option.

e-Tube Technology is a scalable multi-terabit interconnect platform that uses RF data transmission through a plastic dielectric waveguide. Designed to meet the coming demands of 1.6T and 3.2T bandwidth requirements, e-Tube leverages cables made from common plastic material such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which avoids the high-frequency loss and physical constraints inherent to copper. The result is a flexible, power-efficient, and highly reliable link that delivers the reach and performance required to scale up AI clusters in next-generation data center designs.

Figure 1 [Patented e-Tube Platform]

The industry is taking notice of the impact e-Tube will make, with results showing up to 10x the reach of copper while being 5x lighter and 2x thinner. Compared with optical cables, e-Tube consumes 3x less power, achieves 1,000x lower latency, and an impressive 3x less cost. Its scalable design architecture delivers consistent bandwidth for future data speeds to 448Gbps and beyond across networks, extending existing use cases and creating new applications that copper and optical interconnects cannot support.

With the impending copper cliff and optical penalty looming in the horizon, the time is now for data center operators to consider a third interconnect option. e-Tube RF transmission over a plastic dielectric delivers measurable impact with longer reach, best-in-class energy efficiency, near-zero latency, not to mention a cost-effective option. As AI workloads explode and terabit-scale fabrics become the norm, e‑Tube is posed to be a foundational cable interconnect for scaling up AI clusters for the next generation of data centers.

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About the Author

Sean Park is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in the semiconductors, wireless, and networking market. Throughout his career, Sean has held several leadership positions at prominent technology companies, including IDT, TeraSquare, and Marvell Semiconductor. As the CEO, CTO, and Founder at Point2 Technology, Sean was responsible for leading the company’s strategic direction and overseeing its day-to-day operations. He also served as a Director at Marvell, where he provided invaluable guidance and expertise to help the company achieve its goals. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and also attended Seoul National University.

The post Beyond Copper and Optics: How e‑Tube Powers the Terabit Era appeared first on Data Center POST.

How new entrants are reshaping data center operations, capital models, and sustainable development

At the infra/STRUCTURE Summit 2025, held October 15–16 at The Wynn Las Vegas, one of the most engaging conversations explored how a new generation of operators is reshaping the data center landscape.

The session, “New Operating Platforms,” moderated by Philbert Shih, Managing Director of Structure Research, brought together executives leading some of the most innovative digital infrastructure ventures: Ernest Popescu, CEO of Metrobloks Data Centers; Eanna Murphy, Founder and CEO of Montera Infrastructure; and Chuck McBride, CEO of Atmosphere Data Centers.

Together, they discussed how new business models, evolving capital structures, and sustainability commitments are redefining what it means to operate in the fast-changing world of digital infrastructure.

Identifying Gaps in a Rapidly Evolving Market

Shih opened the discussion by noting that the surge in investment across digital infrastructure has created room for new operating platforms to emerge.

“The industry has arguably over-indexed on hyperscale and colocation,” Shih said. “But the opportunity now lies in the gaps, in the diverse mix of services, geographies, and market segments that remain underserved.”

He challenged the panelists to explore how their platforms are addressing those gaps, and what kinds of efficiencies or innovations are shaping their approach.

Building for Speed and Efficiency

Murphy described his company’s focus on secondary and emerging markets, areas where demand is strong but infrastructure capacity has lagged.

“We wanted to look at regions where enterprise customers were underserved,” Murphy said. “Our model focuses on connecting Tier 2 cities and surrounding areas, delivering capacity closer to users and creating new connectivity ecosystems.”

Murphy emphasized that Montera’s approach is designed for speed and scale, combining pre-engineered designs and local partnerships to accelerate delivery.

“Even in smaller markets,” Murphy said, “you can build meaningful density if you plan it right and align with community needs.”

Balancing Capital, Capacity, and Time-to-Market

Popescu noted that access to capital remains one of the biggest hurdles for new operators, especially those outside traditional hyperscale markets.

“There’s plenty of opportunity in the market, but capital deployment still comes down to risk tolerance and timing,” Popescu said. “You can’t shortcut power availability, but you can manage time-to-market with flexible models and smart partnerships.”

Metrobloks focuses on developing scalable, self-performable campuses in underserved markets, combining modular design with utility partnerships to bring new capacity online faster.

“It might not be massive by hyperscale standards,” Popescu said. “But for our customers, being able to access distribution power in 12 to 18 months can make all the difference.”

Sustainability and the Next Generation of Infrastructure

For McBride, sustainability and long-term adaptability are at the heart of his company’s strategy.

“We made a conscious choice not to inherit legacy assets,” McBride said. “Instead, we’re building brand-new AI-ready campuses in underserved markets, what we call next-generation training centers.”

Atmosphere’s developments prioritize renewable energy integration and community revitalization. McBride described projects that convert industrial land, such as former power plant sites, into modern digital campuses.

“We’re taking coal-fired sites and turning them into green campuses,” McBride said. “It’s about giving these sites a second life while meeting the demands of AI and high-performance computing.”

Adapting to Changing Technology Cycles

The conversation turned to how operators are preparing for rapid changes in compute and chip technology, particularly as AI drives unprecedented density and cooling requirements.

Murphy noted the growing challenge of aligning long-term infrastructure planning with short hardware cycles.

“Every six months we’re seeing new chip architectures from NVIDIA, AMD, and others,” Murphy said. “But the data center development cycle is still three to five years. The challenge is designing for what’s next without overcommitting to what’s current.”

Panelists agreed that future-proofing is now a key differentiator, with flexibility, modularity, and liquid cooling readiness built into early designs.

Smarter Capital and Better Collaboration

Reflecting on the evolution of the investment landscape, Popescu shared that today’s capital partners are far more informed about the digital infrastructure asset class than even a few years ago.

“Institutional investors have become much more educated,” Popescu said. “The conversations are smarter, and there’s a better understanding of the balance between cost, speed, and sustainability.”

McBride added that hyperscalers, too, have shown greater willingness to adapt pricing and partnership structures in response to development challenges.

“Three years ago, I had never seen the major cloud players react so quickly,” McBride said. “They know developers are essential to getting capacity online, and that alignment benefits everyone.”

The Opportunity Ahead

In closing, Shih reflected on how the emergence of these new operating platforms is reshaping the broader ecosystem.

“We’re watching the rise of operators who are not just building capacity but reimagining how the industry functions,” Shih said. “They’re bridging the gap between capital, sustainability, and innovation, and that’s what will define the next phase of growth.”

As the digital infrastructure industry continues to evolve, these leaders are demonstrating that success now depends as much on creativity and collaboration as it does on capital and construction.

Infra/STRUCTURE 2026: Save the Date

Want to tune in live, receive all presentations, gain access to C-level executives, investors and industry leading research? Then save the date for infra/STRUCTURE 2026 set for October 7-8, 2026 at The Wynn Las Vegas. Pre-Registration for the 2026 event is now open, and you can visit www.infrastructuresummit.io to learn more.

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