Interesting to consider Marvell’s double deals for silicon switching specialist XConn and optical interconnect startup Celestial AI. This is mostly cribbed from the linked write-up below, but the salient points are as follows. Marvell is staking a big claim on the AI data‑centre stack – not with GPUs or models, but with the ‘plumbing’ that props up large-scale AI. Its $540m deal for XConn means it will own advanced switching tech and engineering talent to link AI processors in large-scale data centre set-ups – which is what hyperscalers want to run diverse accelerator fleets. Its pending $3.25bn acquisition of Celestial AI will add optical interconnects, bringing a photonic ‘fabric’ to its portfolio. All combined – electrical switches, memory coherence, optical fabric – Marvell starts to look like a full-stack AI connectivity provider. This strategy is about control, stickiness, and standards. Marvell is not just selling chips; it’s betting on the architecture of the whole AI story.
James Blackman
Editor
RCR Wireless News
RCR Top Stories
Marvell buys XConn: Marvell is buying XConn to strengthen its PCIe, CXL, and UALink switching capabilities, and shore up its position as the interconnect fabric in large-scale AI data centers.
Wi-Fi 7 for IoT: The Wi-Fi Alliance has introduced a Wi-Fi Certified 7 option for 20 MHz-only devices, extending Wi-Fi 7 features to residential, enterprise, and industrial products and accelerating adoption across the IoT market.
Starlink lowers LEO: The Starlink constellation now operating at 550 km from the Earth’s surface will be reorbited to 480 km – a move intended to improve space safety and reduce collision risk, according to Starlink
Italy 5G sharing deal: Local carriers Fastweb+Vodafone and TIM plan a shared 5G rollout in Italy, using RAN sharing model to cut costs and expand coverage in smaller towns, subject to regulatory approval.
China 5G expansion: China’s telecom industry posted steady growth through November 2025, with rising 5G adoption, nearly 4.83 million base stations, and continued investment in sectors such as broadband and IoT infrastructure.
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Beyond the Headlines
Big Saudi data center: Saudi Arabia has broken ground on a 480MW government data center in Riyadh, as SDAIA advances national digital infrastructure, data sovereignty and AI capabilities under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Goodbye data hall: Can a modular ‘data-center-in-a-box model cut through the inefficiencies of traditional brick‑and‑mortar facilities by enabling rapid, scalable deployment of high‑density AI infrastructure? Some thoughts here.
All about hollow core: Hollow core fiber marks a turning point in fiber technology. There is already interest from service providers and hyperscalers – but before it can be deployed at scale, there are obstacles to overcome
Era of physical LLMs: Physical AI connects intelligent machines, digital twins, and multimodal AI models through reliable networks, enabling real-time perception, decision-making, and action in physical environments.
What is VoWiFi? VoWiFi is expanding beyond indoor calling. BSNL’s recent launch highlights global carrier efforts to fill coverage gaps, while demand for VoLTE and VoWiFi services continues rising alongside 4G and 5G adoption.
What We're Reading
Amazon Leo vs Starlink: Amazon Leo (Project Kuiper) has launched enterprise satellite broadband with high‑performance terminals, integration, and private networking, positioning itself as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink service.
Wi-Fi predictions: Wi-Fi is entering a new growth phase as Wi-Fi 7 adoption accelerates, 6 GHz and LEO connectivity expand, and Wi-Fi/5G convergence boosts enterprise and IoT cases. Here’s the WBA take.
STFC Daresbury 5G: Some rare private 5G coverage for you: STFC’s Daresbury Lab in the UK has deployed private 5G to accelerate industrial use cases like machine monitoring, energy optimisation, and micro‑grid control.
Thoughts on Nvidia / Groq: Nvidia’s roughly $20bn deal to license Groq’s AI inference technology and hire key engineers deepens its leadership in real‑time model execution, signalling the rising strategic importance of inference over training.
Free Wi-Fi in the sky: American Airlines, in partnership with AT&T, has begun rolling out free high-speed satellite Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members, eventually covering nearly every flight and raising the bar for in-flight connectivity.
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