Relativity Networks raises $4.6M to advance hollow core fiber development

Feb. 11, 2025
The emerging technology is being touted to help hyperscalers and service providers improve how data is transmitted.

Power crisis

Relativity Networks' timing can’t be any better, particularly as the data center industry could face a power crisis as new power-hungry data centers are built in the next few years.

The company said its technology could help the data industry meet that energy challenge by expanding development beyond urban cores and into locations with more abundant power.

According to energy research firm EPRI, by 2026, U.S. data centers will consume more than twice their current electricity usage, driven by the AI era’s insatiable data-processing needs.

What’s alarming is that industry forecasts suggest 40% of these facilities could face power shortages by 2027. 

“Currently, new data centers can’t be built fast enough to satisfy the rapidly expanding AI-driven economy and the lack of available power is an existential threat to fueling that growth,’’ said Jason Eichenholz, Relativity Networks’ Founder and CEO. “By moving data faster with lower latency at nearly the speed of light, we are providing the industry new geographic optionality to address the energy-intensive data needs of today's AI-driven digital economy.” 

Hollow core momentum

Momentum around hollow core fiber continues to rise.

Hollow-core fiber moves data faster with lower latency—less delay—than conventional fiber. That enables data to travel 1.5 times farther without impacting the latency that can throw intricate multi-location data operations and applications out of sync.

Unlike traditional fiber optic cables typically limit data centers to within 60 kilometers (37 miles) of each other due to latency constraints, Relativity Networks' HCF technology extends this range to 90 kilometers (56 miles). The company said this increased geographic flexibility allows organizations to strategically position their data centers closer to existing and emerging power sources.

Relativity Networks is hardly alone in driving the hollow core fiber trend.

In February 2024, Lyntia, Nokia, OFS | Furukawa Solutions, and Digital Realty (Interxion) completed a field trial to implement and demonstrate the potential of hollow core fiber technology.

Earlier in 2022, Microsoft revealed via a blog post that it had acquired Lumenisity Ltd., the UK-based developer of hollow-core fiber. 

For related articles, visit the Data Center Topic Center.
For more information on high-speed transmission systems and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.
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About the Author

Sean Buckley

Sean is responsible for establishing and executing the editorial strategies of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report across their websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products.

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