Vocus said this move will "support the strong demand from hyperscale cloud providers moving data between cloud regions as the provide environments for the surge in artificial intelligence, systems, automation, and video applications."

The upgrade comes as Australian companies are adopting AI technologies following 2023’s growth in generative AI technologies like ChatGPT.

“AI models need enormous amounts of compute power, storage and network connectivity. They run in hyperscale cloud environments, including the data centres connected by Vocus fibre,” said Vocus chief operating officer Jarrod Nink.

“Large language models are processing trillions of parameters and petabytes of data. Usage of these models in turn is predicted to drive material bandwidth growth: Gartner predicts that within two years, generative AI will be producing 10% of all data globally,” he said.

The upgrade is powered by Ciena optical transponders using the C and L bands for further wavelengths for the optical signal.

The upgrade will allow cloud providers to move and replicate large amounts of data between cloud regions and data centres in a shorter period of time.

400Gbps technology also optimises cost by reducing the number of cross connects at data centres, requiring only one cross connect rather than four when using 100Gbps hardware.

Customers also benefit from only having to purchase a single piece of 400Gbps hardware rather than four 100Gbps network elements, resulting in reduced power consumption, less rack space and easier management.

Vocus is working to upgrade its Sydney to Brisbane and Adelaide to Perth cables. Extra capacity is expected to be available in 2024.

The company is also committing to upgrade its national network to 1.6Tbps.

“This means Vocus will be able to provide 400Gbps coast to coast next year, and we’re not stopping there – we’ve already committed to using next-generation 1600Gbps technology for our transit links, with the intention of providing even faster than 400Gbps services to customers,” Nink said.