Apple Rumored to Build High-Speed Network for Faster Cloud Services

Apple is building a high-speed content delivery network and plans to upgrade its data centers with more of its own equipment in an effort to better compete with Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other cloud service providers, according to Bloomberg. The improved infrastructure will enable Apple to provide faster delivery of cloud-based content and services such as iCloud, iTunes and Siri.

Apple Data Center
The high-speed network may be a prerequisite for Apple's much-rumored streaming music and TV services, the first of which is expected to be announced at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference today in San Francisco. Efficient content delivery will be important for both services, especially if the company plans to fulfill its ambitious goal of signing up 100 million subscribers for Apple Music.

The foundation of Apple's high-speed data network will reportedly be long-haul pipes connecting the company's data centers in California, Nevada, North Carolina and Oregon. Apple has also been planning ways to send data via fiber lines at hundreds of gigabits per second, as opposed to solely using off-the-shelf technology rented from third-party vendors, according to the report.

“Apple wants to own pipes linking its four large U.S. data centers and Internet hubs in certain cities to ensure fast, reliable delivery of content and services. By adding capacity and increasing efficiency, it seeks to handle more traffic on its own, without renting as much server space from cloud providers such as Amazon and Microsoft, said people with knowledge of the plan, who asked not to be identified because Apple isn’t discussing the moves publicly. They declined to name the cities involved.”

Apple will not move away from using Hewlett-Packard servers, Cisco ethernet switches and other off-the-shelf technology entirely, but the iPhone maker has been in talks with companies that could help design its own equipment that would be produced by third-party manufacturers. The new gear would mainly be used in Apple's future data centers in Arizona, Ireland, Denmark and elsewhere.

Apple was the seventh-largest cloud infrastructure spender in 2014, investing $1 billion towards its data centers around the world last year according to research firm Analysys, matching the billions of dollars spent by Amazon, Google, Microsoft and other rivals in the cloud storage and services race. iCloud was introduced in October 2011 and is available on Mac, iPad, iPhone and other Apple products.

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Top Rated Comments

DavidTheExpert Avatar
132 months ago
I just wish they would catch up with Google and offer more storage for free. 5 free gigabytes is not all that useful. My free iCloud storage has been full for years already.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
McDLT Avatar
132 months ago
I just wish they would catch up with Google and offer more storage for free. 5 free gigabytes is not all that useful. My free iCloud storage has been full for years already.
google isn't giving it to you for free, you compensate them by allowing them to collect your data and sell it to the highest bidder. i personally prefer to pay with money instead. there is an option out there for either preference though.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Benjamin Frost Avatar
132 months ago
Great!

Look forward to this coming to the UK in 2020.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
longofest Avatar
132 months ago
are you aware its only .99 a month for 20 Gigs
That's still a bit of a smack in the face. When Apple wants you to put your entire photo library in the cloud, they need to be offering more than 5GB free.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
132 months ago
I just wish they would catch up with Google and offer more storage for free. 5 free gigabytes is not all that useful. My free iCloud storage has been full for years already.
are you aware its only .99 a month for 20 Gigs
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kajje Avatar
132 months ago
are you aware its only .99 a month for 20 Gigs
Is Apple aware that it's only .99 a month? I've given them already quite some love with buying 128GB devices at a price where they easily can throw in a couple more gigs for in the cloud.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)