Just join to answer your question
I do play tests for EA so i know a few people there, not much though. I do have contacts.
I will be applying for a job there as beta tester so i might get along with bf3 servers. I will try my best to offer any update and talk with EA about the servers.
I am currently trying to get in to their closed alpha test (which will be VERY hard since there is LITERALLY any info going around for the game).
Yes, NFO will offer 64 players (i don't work for NFO), because it isn't hard after seeing all their hardware. The game wont be exclusive to one game server (i can go as far as promising it).
I will probably get a managed 4 cores server and rock on with multiple 64 players server!!!