Verizon has introduced its new AI-focused network solution, Verizon AI Connect, aimed at scaling AI workloads for businesses. This suite of integrated solutions taps into Verizon’s extensive network infrastructure, including its fiber, Edge, and data center assets. With a growing sales funnel, Verizon is positioning itself as a key player in the AI infrastructure space, leveraging its existing assets to meet the rapidly expanding demand for AI processing power.
Verizon AI Connect: A Game Changer for AI Workloads
Verizon AI Connect is designed to provide businesses with the tools to deploy artificial intelligence at scale. By combining Verizon’s metro and long-haul fiber networks, its 71-city One Fiber metro network build-out, and 5G services, the offering provides a comprehensive infrastructure solution. Despite the limited details available on the specific features of AI Connect, Verizon has revealed that the service involves leveraging “reimagined existing assets” to offer optimized connectivity and computing resources.
Leveraging Verizon’s Network and Data Center Assets
Verizon’s $1 billion sales funnel for AI Connect is fueled by its existing network infrastructure. The company is focused on utilizing its fiber and data center assets to meet the growing demand for AI workloads. According to Kyle Malady, CEO of Verizon Business, major companies like Google and Meta have already tapped into Verizon’s network for their AI initiatives.
A significant part of Verizon’s strategy involves making its underutilized data center assets available for AI infrastructure. The company has vast land holdings, including 100 to 200 acres of undeveloped land, some zoned for data center build-out. Verizon has also identified available power and space at many of its facilities, with the potential to provide up to 10MW+ of usable power across various sites.
Expanding Data Center Footprint for AI Infrastructure
Verizon is actively evaluating its assets to expand its data center footprint. The company’s ability to retrofit existing facilities or deploy new data centers positions it as a leader in the AI infrastructure space. As part of this expansion, Verizon can provide data center solutions for AI workloads with the capacity to accommodate the growing need for compute power.
During the earnings call, Malady emphasized that Verizon’s facilities either have spare capacity or can be retrofitted to support AI-specific infrastructure. This strategic approach gives Verizon the flexibility to scale its offerings quickly and efficiently.
Verizon Partners with Vultr to Expand AI Cloud Footprint
A key aspect of Verizon AI Connect is its collaboration with Vultr, a cloud hosting company. Through this partnership, Vultr will enhance its cloud offerings by integrating GPU-as-a-Service infrastructure into Verizon’s data centers. Vultr plans to tap into Verizon’s fiber network for distribution, addressing the growing demand for AI processing power at the Edge.
Vultr’s CEO, J.J. Kardwell, highlighted that GPUs are essential for powering AI workloads, particularly for real-time inference. With demand for AI infrastructure surpassing supply, Verizon’s connectivity infrastructure is seen as a key enabler for Vultr’s growth.
Meta and Verizon Deepen AI Network Collaboration
Verizon’s AI initiatives are not limited to Vultr. Meta, a long-time partner of Verizon, is also expanding its collaboration to include AI network infrastructure. Meta’s VP of Network Infrastructure, Gaya Nagarajan, stated that the partnership with Verizon would help accelerate the development of intelligent and predictive network capabilities. This expansion underscores Verizon’s role in building AI-ready infrastructure for leading technology companies.
Verizon’s Continued Investment in AI Infrastructure
Verizon is not stopping with AI Connect. The company has also formed a partnership with Nvidia to develop a 5G private network solution with Mobile Edge Compute (MEC). This offering includes Nvidia’s GPU hardware and software, providing enterprises with AI capabilities at the edge. As Verizon engineers prepare for demonstrations of this solution in early 2025, the company is poised to further solidify its position in the AI infrastructure market.
FAQ:
What is Verizon AI Connect?
Verizon AI Connect is a suite of solutions designed to help businesses deploy AI workloads at scale by utilizing Verizon’s fiber network, data centers, and Edge infrastructure.
How is Verizon supporting AI infrastructure growth?
Verizon is leveraging its existing data center assets, available land, and power to expand its data center footprint and provide infrastructure for AI workloads.
Which companies are using Verizon’s AI infrastructure?
Verizon’s AI network has attracted major players such as Google, Meta, and Vultr, who are utilizing the company’s fiber network and data center assets for their AI initiatives.
What role does Vultr play in Verizon’s AI offering?
Vultr is partnering with Verizon to expand its GPU-as-a-Service infrastructure through Verizon’s data centers, addressing the growing demand for AI processing power.
What is Verizon’s plan for expanding its data center footprint?
Verizon has identified available land and power at several of its facilities, with plans to expand or retrofit its data centers to meet the growing demand for AI infrastructure.
