14 November 2025

Tom Koster, Senior Vice President, Laser Light Communications

Why are micro data centres considered the optimal solution for improving connectivity in underserved regions and routes?
This question is all about the “last mile” problem, but on a continental scale. We can talk about how traditional data centres, with their massive power and real estate needs, are like trying to build a five-star hotel in the middle of a desert. They can’t effectively serve the vast, sparsely populated areas that are so critical for true economic development.

Micro data centres, on the other hand, are the nimble, distributed solution. They’re like pop-up shops for data, bringing the compute and storage closer to where the data is being generated and consumed. It’s about enabling a new wave of localised applications — from telemedicine and remote education to agriculture and f fintech — that simply aren’t viable when every data packet has to travel a thousand miles and back.

What are the key factors to consider when determining the best locations for deploying micro data centres in these areas?
This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s easy to say “put a data centre here,” but the reality is far more complex. The classic challenges of power and terrestrial fibre are front and centre. How do you power a data centre in a region with an unstable grid? And what’s the point of a local data centre if it’s not connected to the broader global network?

We can discuss how our all-optical network bypasses the traditional reliance on unstable land-based infrastructure. It’s not just about a better connection; it’s about a resilient, secure, and truly global one. This allows us to think beyond the usual constraints and focus on the factors that truly matter, like proximity to end-users, how best to enable critical business applications, and the potential for community impact.

We can also touch on the mistake of ignoring local context. Too many companies have deployed technology in Africa without understanding the specific needs of the local communities and the regulatory landscape. This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” solution but rather one that can meet the opportunity where it is now and scale with it as it grows.

How can micro data centres be integrated effectively with existing infrastructure to maximise their impact?
This is where the story of partnership and smart integration comes alive. Micro data centres shouldn’t be seen as replacements for existing infrastructure, but as powerful augmentations. We can talk about how they can “wake up” underutilised assets. Think about cell towers and local community centres. These are already key points in the physical landscape; how can we leverage them to become digital hubs?

The key is to create an open-access model. Instead of a walled garden, we can position these as neutral, community-focused points of presence that any service provider — from local ISPs to global cloud companies — can plug into to extend their clouds into new areas that may not be feasible to support in their existing model. This fosters a vibrant ecosystem and ensures the community isn’t locked into a single provider. It’s about building a foundation for digital inclusion, not just another piece of corporate infrastructure.

Which emerging technologies will be most critical in the development and operation of micro data centres in remote areas?
It’s not just about one technology, but the perfect storm of several. We can talk about how edge computing isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the very reason these micro data centres exist. It’s the philosophy that says, “Don’t bring the data all the way to the cloud; instead process it right where it is.” This is what enables real-time applications like smart agriculture sensors, off-grid financial services, and remote medical diagnostics to work.

Then there’s the power issue. How do you run a data centre when the grid is unreliable or non-existent? This is where renewable energy — solar, specifically — becomes a hero. But here’s a thought-provoking twist: what happens when the sun doesn’t shine? This is where an intelligent, interconnected power grid, possibly with battery storage, becomes essential. It’s not just about a micro data centre; it’s about a self-sustaining ecosystem.

And then there’s the big one: connectivity. The biggest challenge for micro data centres has always been reliable, high-bandwidth backhaul. You can have the best local processing in the world, but if you can’t connect to the global internet, you’re a digital island. This is where technologies that bypass terrestrial fibre aren’t just an option — they’re a necessity. We’re talking about a future where a community isn’t limited by how close they are to a fibre cable, but by how much of the sky they can see.

What role do local partnerships and community engagement play?
Partnerships are the single most critical aspect of successful market participation in the operating environment. If you don’t get this right, all the technology in the world is useless. We can talk about the mistakes of the past, where companies parachuted in, installed a piece of infrastructure, and then left, expecting it to be a success. That approach often fails because it ignores the human element. Partnerships with entities that are established in the country are key because they know the distinct needs of the customer base.

Successful deployment isn’t a transactional event; it’s a relationship. It’s about working with local governments, community leaders, and even small businesses to ensure the micro data centre serves their needs, not just our own. This could mean partnering with a local utility to manage power, collaborating with a regional university to develop a skills-training program, or even co-locating the data centre at a school to provide students with a hands-on learning lab.

The ultimate measure of success isn’t uptime; it’s adoption. It’s seeing a local entrepreneur build a new service on your platform or a rural clinic using it to provide better healthcare.