Pure DC begins first phase of 550MW Finnish AI campus

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, has begun the first phase of a planned 550MW AI data centre campus in Seinäjoki, Finland, with Phase One representing an investment of more than €1.5 billion (£1.2 billion). The initial 110MW phase has been fully leased, with planning permission secured and the substation for the first data hall already operational. Subject to future approvals and commercial agreements, the development could expand to more than 550MW of IT capacity, representing a total investment exceeding €7.5 billion (£6.3 billion). The campus is being developed in partnership with SDC Ventures and is expected to create more than 3,000 construction jobs over the course of the project. Pure DC says the development will also support improvements to local electricity and telecommunications infrastructure. Gary Wojtaszek, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of Pure DC, notes, “Countries building AI infrastructure over the next decade will shape the global economy for the next 50 years. Finland has all the ingredients required to lead this transformation: world class engineering talent, abundant renewable energy, and a culture of innovation that gave rise to Nokia. “We are not building data centres in Seinäjoki; together with our partners, including the Seinäjoki Municipality, we are helping create one of Europe’s most important AI ecosystems capable of supporting global tech leaders as well as the next generation of Finnish entrepreneurs and innovators.” A campus designed for large-scale AI workloads Known as SJK01, the 370-acre campus is planned to support more than 550MW of IT capacity for AI and machine learning workloads. The site will have access to more than 700MVA of renewable power and will be built using repeatable 40MW modules incorporating direct liquid cooling for high-density computing. The development will also include closed-loop cooling systems that use no water during operation and will support district heating through waste heat recovery. In addition, Pure DC says it will work with Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and local vocational institutions to develop specialist training programmes aimed at supporting future employment in the data centre sector. The British Ambassador to Finland, Laura Davies, comments, “I am delighted by this major UK investment into Pure DC’s new site in Seinäjoki - the largest yet by a UK company in Finland. It's an example of the growing role of UK companies in financing and delivering digital infrastructure across Europe, which is a key component of building our shared data sovereignty. “Not only will this AI data centre campus become one of Finland’s largest inward investment projects, but it will be a critical enabler of scientific excellence and [will] provide a platform to develop industrial competitiveness and sovereign capability. "Side by side in the top 10 of the Global Innovation Index, the UK and Finland already lead the way on AI and AI security, and this kind of world-class compute infrastructure will further support our ability to shape the future of AI for the better.” For more from Pure DC, click here.

Kickstarting the next decade of mobile growth

The Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) Top Talk Summit recently took place in Shanghai, held in tandem with MWC Shanghai 2026. The event gathered 150 industry experts, including mobile telecom operators, movers and shakers in the AI ecosystem, industry organisation leaders, and renowned academics to discuss the next 10 years of mobile development, as well as the key paths to get there. The discussion largely focused on how the industry can make the most of intelligent connectivity and pave the way for new growth. "The mobile communications industry is entering the age of intelligence," said David Wang, Huawei's Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating Chairman, in his opening keynote. "Intelligent devices and agentic services are developing fast, opening the doors to incredible new growth opportunities - but also some key challenges. "As we chart the way forward, we need to drive the advancement of mobile communications in three key areas: industry, technology, and business." From an industry perspective, he explained that coordinating efforts to connect people, things, and agents with a single network is key to meeting a growing range of disparate application requirements. He called for the development of integrated satellite-ground networks to push out the boundaries of connectivity, as well as the allocation of ultra-large, contiguous spectrum blocks that can truly support a generational leap in mobile communications. As for the technology itself, Wang said, "We can use AI to upgrade networks across the board. And with AI-native architecture for next-generation core networks, we can more effectively support agentic services." When it comes to the business side, Wang encouraged carriers to actively explore new business models and scenarios, focusing on sustainable growth opportunities that intelligent mobile networks and services will unlock. "We look forward to working closely with industry partners as we explore the boundless horizons ahead," he concluded. "The paths forward are clear. And with practical action, we can build a solid future for mobile communications." Symbiosis with AI: Industry synergy breaks new boundaries As the mobile AI era accelerates, AI services are transforming into the engine of industry intelligence. These services expand rapidly from consumer-facing applications to deep vertical integration. AI applications are driving ecosystem convergence through the harmonious coordination of people, things, and agents. In the consumer field, user interaction modes are undergoing a paradigm shift, from touch-based graphical user interfaces (GUI) to zero UI with multimodal user assistance. A prime example is Celia, whose three billion daily activations are powered by proactive user-intent recognition and autonomous agent services, driving a 4.5-fold increase in agent distribution. In firefighting and emergency response, embodied AI robots equipped with 5G-Advanced (5G-A) modules have become indispensable frontline assistants. Using China Mobile's high-bandwidth, ultra-low-latency 5G-A network, these robots seamlessly backhaul real-time videos and thermal imagery to cloud-based AI brains. In complex fire scenarios, they provide precise data-driven support for rescue operations, with fire source localisation, real-time reporting, remote piloting, and autonomous execution. In logistics, AI has evolved from a mere assistive tool into a driver of productivity capable of autonomous decision making and execution. During weather-induced road closures, smart logistics networks harness specialised AI agents to synthesise real-time traffic, weather, and order workflows. Within seconds, these systems can plot hundreds of alternative routes and sync them with drivers, slashing shipment delays by 15%. Advancing with AI: Technological innovation unlocks new capabilities As connectivity extends beyond humans and things to encompass intelligence, it creates new requirements for mobile network capabilities. In terms of breadth, networks need to extend beyond terrestrial boundaries into fully integrated space-air-ground systems, redefining the limits of intelligent connectivity. In terms of density, with massive robots operating concurrently, agent density in hotspot zones is projected to exceed 10 million per square kilometre, vastly exceeding human density. In terms of quality, future traffic models will undergo a fundamental shift from a downlink-heavy model to a highly symmetric uplink-downlink model optimised for intelligent collaboration. Multimodal real-time perception, context synchronisation, and collaborative training and inference will drive explosive uplink growth. This will create stringent requirements on network latency as well as uplink and downlink speeds. Network transformation requires technological innovations. Operators must tap into new bands like U6GHz to build wide pipes that offer ultra-high capacity as well as stable low latency. In addition, multi-band coordination (high, mid, and low bands) and device-cloud-service synergy must be utilised to satisfy the multifaceted connectivity demands of people, things, and agents. To this end, China Telecom and China Unicom are using their co-constructed and shared footprint of over one million 5G base stations to form a premium network, featuring multi-band coordination and multi-dimensional coverage. They are also pioneering innovations like GigaUplink technologies for greater network speed and stability. This will power seamless collaboration between people, things, vehicles, and agents. Succeeding with AI: The intelligent economy unleashes new value in connectivity Currently, industrial digital and intelligent transformation is gaining significant momentum. While consolidating their existing traffic and user experience monetisation, operators are actively pioneering network service upgrades across diverse scenarios. For Singtel, its deployment of agentic AI enabled its AI assistant to handle more than 70,000 customer interactions within just six weeks, with more than 70% of routine requests being resolved independently, freeing employees to focus on higher-value and more complex customer needs. This combination of AI-driven automation and human expertise is helping operators improve service quality, accelerate response times, and unlock new productivity gains across the organisation. With the dawn of the Agentverse, tokens are emerging as a critical new factor of production, placing higher demands on SLA differentiation. From differentiated, intelligent service packages for consumers to tailored network assurance solutions for industries, operators are well positioned to diversify their portfolios of smart service products. Consequently, the value monetisation blueprint for operators will extend from a single traffic pipe to the entire lifecycle of token generation, transmission, and application, achieving collaborative innovation and shared prosperity with industry partners. Li Peng, Huawei's Director of the Board, President of ICT Sales & Service, and President of the China Region, delivered the closing remarks at the event. Li said, "By 2035, we'll have co-created an Agentverse defined by carbon-silicon symbiosis, virtual-real integration, and agent collaboration. Intelligent connectivity can break new boundaries, technological innovation can open the door to new network capabilities, and the intelligent economy can unlock new value in connectivity. Together, we can achieve symbiosis with AI, advance with AI, and succeed with AI." Li concluded his speech by inviting global carriers and industry partners to collaborate with Huawei in building a Mobile AI City and shaping the next decade of mobile communications. For more from Huawei, click here.

Meta commits $50bn to 5GW Louisiana data centre campus

US technology company Meta has increased its investment in its Richland Parish data centre campus in Louisiana, USA, to more than $50 billion (£37.4 billion), expanding the site to almost 10 million square feet (929,030m²) with a planned IT capacity of 5GW. The facility will house Hyperion, Meta's largest AI training cluster, making it the company's biggest data centre campus and one of the largest data centres ever announced. The expansion comes as demand for AI infrastructure continues to increase, with the campus expected to play a significant role in supporting Meta's AI operations. Expansion brings jobs and energy investment The project is expected to support up to 7,500 construction jobs at peak activity, alongside approximately 1,000 operational roles. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the development will also generate around 1,900 indirect jobs across the region. Meta says it has already awarded more than $1.6 billion (£1.1 billion) in contracts to Louisiana businesses and has invested over $1 million (£748,000) in community projects across Richland Parish since construction began. The company has also established workforce partnerships with local colleges and training providers to support careers in skilled trades and data centre operations. The expansion is supported by an agreement with Entergy Louisiana, which includes investment in new electricity infrastructure comprising seven natural gas-fired power stations, three grid-scale battery projects, potential nuclear generation developments, and additional purchased power. Meta has also committed to funding up to 2.5GW of renewable energy and says it plans to return 100% of the site's water consumption to local watersheds through restoration and water infrastructure projects. Rachel Peterson, Vice President of Data Centers at Meta, comments, "From the beginning, this project has always been about more than building infrastructure; it's about building alongside the community. "The people, workforce, and partnership we've found in Louisiana have enabled this project to be a cornerstone of our global infrastructure. "With more than $1.6 billion already contracted with local companies and thousands of jobs being supported, we're delivering real economic impact alongside the AI infrastructure that will power the future." For more from Meta, click here.

Lightpath expands fibre network for 1GW data centres

Lightpath, a New York-based fibre network and connectivity provider, has announced two new fibre network builds to support hyperscale data centre campuses under construction in Michigan and Wisconsin, USA. The projects will extend the company's fibre network to campuses in Saline, Michigan, and Port Washington, Wisconsin, both of which are planned to exceed 1GW of capacity. Lightpath will provide triverse fibre infrastructure and multi-terabit connectivity to both sites in partnership with an anchor hyperscale customer. The Saline deployment is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026, with the Port Washington build expected to follow in the second quarter of 2027. Supporting gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath, comments, "Lightpath is playing an increasingly central role in partnering with hyperscalers to build new fibre infrastructure to address AI-driven demand across the US. Fibre infrastructure remains a critical component in the evolving and accelerating AI ecosystem." The new projects follow the company's recent network expansion in Phoenix, eastern Pennsylvania, and Columbus, as well as the development of a long-haul fibre route linking Columbus and Chicago. Tim Haverkate, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightpath, says, "Gigawatt-scale AI campuses need more than fibre in the ground; they need a partner that can engineer an end-to-end connectivity solution across new construction, existing Lightpath network assets, and strategic partner fibre. "Our ability to creatively combine those assets is what allows us to deliver route-diverse, multi-terabit capacity on timelines that match the pace of hyperscale AI development." According to Lightpath, the latest builds form part of its wider investment in fibre infrastructure serving locations with increasing concentrations of hyperscale data centres and AI workloads. For more from Lightpath, click here.

United Infrastructure to develop DC grid connection standards

United Infrastructure, a UK contractor delivering utility and social infrastructure across energy, power, water, and telecoms networks, has been asked by industry stakeholders to lead the development of standardised electricity connection archetypes intended to help accelerate grid connections for UK data centres. The initiative follows discussions between industry representatives and Ofgem on improving the speed and consistency of electricity network connections as demand for AI infrastructure and data storage continues to grow. The work will bring together organisations from across the electricity infrastructure supply chain to develop standard designs for data centres, substations, high-voltage compounds, and other common connection arrangements. The aim is to simplify network design, improve delivery efficiency, and support faster grid connections. Industry collaboration on network delivery The announcement follows a roundtable in Cardiff attended by more than 30 senior representatives from the energy, digital infrastructure, development, and utilities sectors. Discussions covered connection reform, supply chain resilience, decentralised energy, workforce capability, planning, and grid capacity. Akshay Kaul, Director General of Infrastructure at Ofgem, says, "The rapid growth in data centres presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the energy system. "It was encouraging to see how technologies like fuel cells could complement the grid, and these insights will be important in shaping a flexible, resilient, and future-ready energy system." Neil Armstrong, CEO of United Infrastructure, comments, "To be asked to lead on such an important piece of work is a real credit to the engineering teams we have within United Infrastructure. As demand for data centres grows, we are seeing unprecedented interest in our gas-to-power solutions. "Being recognised in this way is testament to the work we are doing to accelerate ‘time to power’ for data centres across the UK, many of which are now frequently classed as nationally significant infrastructure." The programme will initially focus on developing connection archetypes for data centres and associated electricity infrastructure. United Infrastructure says the work will be shared with industry stakeholders to help inform future network delivery and regulatory discussions.

euNetworks launches direct Paris–Milan fibre route

euNetworks, a European bandwidth infrastructure company, has launched a new long-haul fibre route between Paris and Milan, providing what the company says is the most direct connectivity path between the two cities. Spanning 1,057km, the route follows a new path through the Alps, offering an alternative to routes that typically run via Lyon and Marseille. The company says the route has been designed to provide a shorter and more diverse connection between two of Europe's major connectivity hubs, whilst also strengthening wider network connectivity across the region. The announcement follows the launch of euNetworks' direct Frankfurt–Milan route via Zurich in October 2025. Together, the two routes provide shorter connectivity options between Frankfurt and Milan. Customers using the new route can connect to euNetworks' metro networks in Paris and Milan, which include 38 and 18 directly connected data centres respectively, as well as the company's wider network of more than 600 connected data centres across Europe. Route expands European network connectivity According to euNetworks, the new infrastructure is intended to support growing demand for low-latency connectivity driven by AI, cloud services, and data-intensive applications. Marisa Trisolino, CEO of euNetworks, says, "The new route between Paris and Milan is a prime example of our dedication to providing customers with the most direct, diverse connectivity options in Europe. As demand for AI, cloud, and data-driven connectivity rises, shorter routes and diversity become increasingly crucial. "Building a diverse route through the Alps takes a lot of persistence and collaboration with an extensive supplier network. euNetworks was proud to take on this challenge to deliver for our customers and we will continue to expand our network wherever our customers need it the most." For more from euNetworks, click here.

DeepInfra opens its first international AI data centre

DeepInfra, a US cloud platform providing inference infrastructure for AI, has opened a new data centre in Toronto, Canada, marking the company's first facility outside the US as it expands its AI inference infrastructure. The 1.7MW site is DeepInfra's ninth data centre and will host more than 1,000 NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs. The company says the expansion increases its AI inference capacity whilst supporting lower-latency services for customers across North America and other international markets. Supporting growing AI inference demand According to research from McKinsey & Company, AI inference is expected to account for more than 40% of total data centre demand by 2030. The growth is being driven by organisations moving AI models into production, increasing demand for GPU infrastructure capable of supporting real-time applications, AI agents, and high-volume API traffic. DeepInfra says the Toronto deployment forms part of its wider infrastructure strategy as demand for AI inference continues to grow. Nikola Borisov, CEO and co-founder of DeepInfra, notes, "Enterprises are moving from experimentation to production at unprecedented speed, and that shift demands infrastructure that is both scalable and globally distributed. "This Toronto cluster is a foundational step in expanding our capacity beyond the US and ensuring customers can run AI workloads closer to where their users and data reside." The Toronto facility follows DeepInfra's 'Series B' funding round and forms part of the company's plans to increase AI inference capacity in strategically selected regions. Additional international deployments are also being evaluated as demand for GPU-intensive AI workloads continues to increase.

GreenScale sets data centre sustainability commitments

GreenScale, a developer of hyperscale data centre campuses, has published 12 sustainability commitments that will guide the development and long-term operation of its data centre campuses. The commitments conclude a 12-week campaign that began on Earth Day 2026, with one commitment announced each week. Together, they set measurable targets covering areas including renewable energy, embodied carbon, water stewardship, local communities, and responsible supply chains. GreenScale says it will report publicly on progress against each commitment as its developments move forward. Among the commitments are designing all data centres to enable heat export whilst seeking opportunities to reuse waste heat, operating backup generators using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel, targeting a water usage effectiveness (WUE) score of 0.4 or below, and requiring major design and construction suppliers to achieve an EcoVadis rating of "Good" or higher. Campus designed around renewable power GreenScale says its sustainability strategy is linked to developing data centre campuses in locations with renewable energy resources and resilient connectivity. The company points to its planned Tonstad Campus in southern Norway as an example of this approach. New visualisations show the proposed 300MW campus, which is planned to comprise four data centre buildings across a 420,000m² site, representing more than €2.5 billion (£2.1 billion) in planned investment. Located next to the Ertsmyra substation and supplied by electricity from the nearby Tonstad Power Plant, one of Norway's largest hydropower facilities by annual electricity generation, the campus has been selected to take advantage of the region's renewable energy resources. Anna Dowson, Senior Director of Sustainability at GreenScale, says, "These commitments reflect the areas where we believe GreenScale can make the greatest positive impact. "By setting clear, measurable targets from the outset, we're creating a transparent way to track our progress over time and hold ourselves accountable as our campuses move through development and into operation." Dan Thomas, CEO of GreenScale, adds, "Data centre campuses are long-term infrastructure assets that will operate for decades. The decisions made before construction begin influence their performance throughout their lifetime. "That's why we've embedded sustainability into every stage of our approach, from selecting the right locations to designing, building, and operating our campuses. These commitments provide the framework that will guide that journey." GreenScale says the commitments were developed following a materiality assessment aligned with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). For more from GreenScale, click here.

Schneider calls for collaboration on London data centres

Global energy technology company Schneider Electric has brought together organisations from across the public and private sectors to discuss the infrastructure challenges facing London's data centre market and the collaboration needed to support future AI growth. Held in partnership with Opportunity London and SEGRO, the roundtable explored how London can maintain its position as Europe's largest data centre hub while addressing growing demand for digital infrastructure. The event, chaired by Laura Citron, Chief Executive of London & Partners, included representatives from government, local authorities, energy companies, data centre operators, real estate, and the wider technology sector. Participants discussed the need for greater coordination around planning, electricity infrastructure, land availability, water use, and emerging technologies such as liquid cooling. The discussions also highlighted the importance of improving understanding of data centre requirements among policymakers as demand for AI and cloud infrastructure continues to grow. The roundtable also examined the role of data centres as critical national infrastructure (CNI) and their contribution to economic growth and AI development. Industry highlights need for coordinated infrastructure planning Matthew Baynes (pictured above), Vice President, Secure Power UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, says, "Today, there remains a fundamental gap between how policymakers perceive and understand data centres [and] how the industry actually operates. "Decisions around planning, land allocation, and power provision are being made without a complete picture of what's required to meet the AI opportunity, and the UK now risks losing ground to markets where that understanding is far more mature. "As the UK's largest data centre hub, and its default AIGZ, London offers all the advantages needed to lead, but closing the gap between ambition and action is not optional; it is the prerequisite for success." Jace Tyrrell, Chief Executive of Opportunity London, adds, "Data centres are no longer a niche; they are foundational to London’s future economic growth, AI ambitions, and global competitiveness." Maria Jose Rivas-Duarte, Director of Sustainability at Pure Data Centres, also says the discussions demonstrated the importance of collaboration between industry, policymakers, and local communities to support responsible digital infrastructure development, while Luisa Cardani, Head of the Data Centres Programme at techUK, notes the UK's data centre sector has significant potential to contribute to economic growth, but that achieving this will require coordinated action between government and industry. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Pure DC, SEGRO to develop Paris data centre

Pure Data Centres Group (Pure DC), a designer, developer, and operator of hyperscale data centres, and SEGRO, a UK-listed real estate investment trust (REIT), have formed a second joint venture to develop a 48MW fully fitted data centre in Paris, targeting a long-term lease with a global hyperscale operator. The proposed development will be built in a Paris Availability Zone on land contributed by SEGRO, alongside a pre-secured 75MVA power connection. The companies say the project represents their second collaboration following their joint venture at Premier Park in West London. The development is expected to require around £800 million of investment, including the value of the land contributed by SEGRO. SEGRO's cash equity contribution is expected to be approximately £60 million during construction, with the remaining equity provided by Pure DC. The facility will be delivered in phases, with construction due to begin once planning permission has been secured and a pre-let agreement has been signed. The first phase is expected to complete after around three years, with the remaining capacity delivered approximately one year later. Joint venture builds on London project The partners say the project combines SEGRO's land portfolio and development expertise from Pure DC's experience in designing, building, and operating hyperscale facilities. The data centre will include mechanical and electrical infrastructure, together with power distribution, cabling, and cooling systems. IT equipment, including servers and racks, will be supplied by the future occupier. David Sleath, Chief Executive of SEGRO, comments, "This second joint venture with Pure DC builds on the momentum across our European data centre platform and demonstrates how SEGRO can crystallise the significant value in its 3.0GVA power bank through a repeatable, capital-efficient model. "This project in Paris will be our first data centre development in Continental Europe, and [it's] another great example of how combining our carefully assembled, prime, power-secured sites with Pure DC’s technical expertise can accelerate the delivery of highly profitable, fully fitted facilities. "Our first project together at Premier Park is progressing well, with planning approval secured ahead of schedule and active discussions underway with two global hyperscalers." Gary Wojtaszek, Executive Chairman and Interim CEO of Pure DC, adds, "Large-scale, powered sites in Europe’s leading metropolitan markets have become one of the scarcest and most strategically valuable resources in digital infrastructure. "Demand for digital infrastructure across Europe is accelerating, but access to suitable sites with secured power and favourable planning positions in the FLAP-D markets remains the defining constraint." The announcement follows progress at the companies' first joint venture at Premier Park in West London, where planning permission was approved in March 2026. The partners say discussions are underway with two hyperscale operators interested in occupying the site's full capacity. For more from Pure DC, click here.