Siemens and Infineon Technologies teamed to tackle a little reported but quite important element of digital transformations, namely protecting electrical supplies in data centres, production facilities and battery storage systems.

The pair are working to provide semiconductor breaker technology, which Siemens describes as providing protection for electronic devices, circuits and components in the event of a short-circuit or power surge.

Infineon is to provide silicon carbide power modules which Siemens intends to install in its semiconductor circuit breakers. The German-headquartered company stated the move would “enhance the efficiency, power density and reliability” of the products.

Siemens explained the lack of mechanical elements in semiconductor circuit breakers can cut the reaction time from milliseconds in traditional set-ups to microseconds.

It argued the speed boost is “essential for direct current grids” and would deliver a much-needed improvement in protection for systems used in manufacturing and AI data centres.

Andreas Weisl, EVP and chief sales officer for Industrial and Infrastructure at Infineon (pictured, right), said the importance of swift protection is growing due to the increased electrification of data centres and factories.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure CEO for Electrical Products Markus Grabmeier explained many industrial facilities are keen to tap the lower energy consumption of direct current power supplies and further boost environmental protection goals by using batteries to cut peak power use.

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Finnish enterprise and public sector users were promised better telecoms connectivity after local network operator Voimatel tapped Eutelsat for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite coverage.

The French headquartered satellite service provider stated its LEO connectivity would be integrated with Voimatel’s terrestrial network to improve coverage in Arctic and high-latitude areas of Finland, boosting the resiliency and redundancy of critical communications.

Voimatel describes itself as the builder and operator of fixed and mobile networks: Eutelsat expanded, stating the company provides services to operators, utilities and public sector groups.

The LEO coverage opens remote and rural areas where terrestrial installations are trickier, though Eutelsat noted the arrangement would also benefit urban parts of Finland.

Voimatel CEO Mikko Heinonen said the low-latency and Arctic coverage provided by Eutelsat’s LEO birds were important elements in its decision to work with the French company.

The coverage will “complement our existing infrastructure capabilities and support the evolving connectivity requirements of our customers”, he said.

Eva Bisgaard, president of Eutelsat’s Connectivity business unit, said the deal is another example of “the growing role of LEO connectivity in supporting critical telecom infrastructure”.

It also adds to a recent run of agreements involving Eutelsat’s geosynchronous satellites struck in April and May.

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Ericsson dug deeper into a mining automation deal with Swedish equipment maker Epiroc, adding LTE and 5G equipment distribution to a near decade-long research arrangement.

The companies anticipate ever-growing demand for complete operational technology systems spanning mining equipment and connectivity. Ericsson cited ease of access to digitalisation techniques as among the benefits the expanded deal offers.

Epiroc Digital Solutions division president Paul Bergstrom said there is a rising need for connectivity systems from mining companies as they “advance automation and digitalisation throughout their operations”.

The equipment manufacturer plans to add Ericsson private 5G systems to its own telematics, remote control and position sensing products.

Last month, Epiroc advanced a deep automation product range with systems for drilling and material handling, expanding a portfolio offered since 2023 which it stated helped mines “unlock millions of tonnes of ore” they would not otherwise have been able to safely recover.

Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions head of product and engineering Pankaj Malhotra said the updated deal with Epiroc ties into the operational goals involving safety, productivity and efficiency.

The pair is “helping mining companies modernise operations at scale”, he said.

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