In an effort to advance cutting-edge AI solutions, Singtel has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network Cloud Programme to bring NVIDIA’s full-stack AI platform to enterprises across the region. By becoming a NVIDIA cloud partner in the region, Singtel is democratizing access to AI for enterprises.
Essentially, this initiative provides government, enterprises, researchers and start-ups with access to NVIDIA GPU clusters— deployed at Singtel’s Nxera regional data center business— to develop next-generation sustainable and hyper-connected AI-ready data centers.
Accelerating Computing on a Data Center Scale
As generative AI gains momentum, making the shift to accelerated computing on a data center scale becomes imperative, as conventional data center computing approaches fall short in effectively supporting sophisticated AI demands. Singtel’s Nxera aims to address challenges related to GPU power consumption, high-density requirements, and efficient cooling for advanced AI workloads. Upholding its commitment to sustainability, the telco aims to employ advanced cooling technologies to achieve operational net-zero carbon emissions in AI data centers by 2028.
Bill Chang, CEO of Nxera and Singtel's Digital InfraCo unit, said, “This tie-up provides an easy on-ramp for enterprises across all industries which can accelerate their development of generative AI, large language models, AI fine-tuning and other AI workloads. Together with our sustainable AI DCs, 5G network platform and our AI cluster with NVIDIA, these form part of our next-generation digital infrastructure to support AI adoption and digital transformation in Singapore and the region.”
Ronnie Vasishta, SVP for Telecom at NVIDIA, said, “Our collaboration with Singtel will combine technologies and expertise to facilitate the development of a robust AI infrastructure in Singapore and throughout the region. In addition to supporting the Singapore government’s AI strategy, this will empower enterprises, regional customers and start-ups with advanced AI capabilities.”
Developing Sovereign AI Factories
Singtel is spearheading the development of sovereign AI factories through this partnership. AI factories, with their full-stack approach encompassing hardware and software, enable the creation and deployment of generative AI at a level that general-purpose computing cannot achieve. The deployment of AI factories by telcos, leveraging their infrastructure and trusted position, allows the region to accelerate AI adoption and facilitate an advantageous impact on a larger scale.
Given that AI development is still in its infancy stage, Singtel will play a pivotal role in influencing regulatory frameworks by actively engaging with key customers and local regulatory bodies.
Singtel's upcoming hyper-connected green 58MW DC Tuas in Singapore will be one of the first data centers that will be AI ready when it comes into operation in early 2026. DC Tuas will offer a high- density environment suited for AI workloads and will operate at a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.23 at full load, making it one of the most efficient in the industry. Additionally, Singtel is developing two other state-of-the-art data center projects in Indonesia and Thailand. The NVIDIA GPU clusters will run in existing upgraded data centers initially and can be further expanded into the new AI data centers when they are ready for service.
Previously, Singtel has successfully provided edge cloud services in collaboration with NVIDIA AI. The trials of GPU services conducted at the 5G@Sentosa testbed since 2021 have catered to numerous government agencies. Notably, Singtel's innovative Paragon platform, protected by patents, empowers customers to seamlessly orchestrate, manage, and deploy diverse networks, AI, and cloud workloads across multiple providers. This not only enhances operational efficiency but also contributes to cost savings for customers.