NetAlly launches LinkRunner AT tester

NetAlly, a manufacturer of portable network testing and analysis tools, has introduced a new handheld network link and cable tester, the LinkRunner AT 1500, expanding its LinkRunner range. The device is designed to validate copper network links and cables, supporting troubleshooting, moves, adds, and changes, as well as fault isolation. It is aimed at network technicians, IT teams, and managed service providers. According to NetAlly, the tester enables users to verify connectivity, link speed, VLAN configuration, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) through a single interface, without requiring a laptop. Test results and screenshots can then be uploaded to Link-Live, the company’s cloud-based reporting and analysis platform. Testing capabilities and deployment use The LinkRunner AT 1500 provides automated testing across multiple aspects of a network link. It can identify cable length, detect wiring faults, and indicate the distance to a fault. The device also identifies the nearest network switch and port, and verifies link speed and duplex up to 10 Gig. Additional functions include VLAN validation, connectivity checks to on-network and external devices, and PoE measurement. The tester can assess voltage, wattage, and active wire pairs to confirm power delivery before device installation. Dan Klimke, Director of Product Marketing at NetAlly, says, “The 1500 brings pro-level testing to frontline techs at just £1,140 MSRP. It draws on our 25-plus years of experience building innovative troubleshooting tools for network engineers and technicians. "The goal is simple: put fast, definitive answers in the hands of the technicians closest to the problem so issues get solved at the source, not escalated up the chain. "With Wi-Fi 7 access points, smart building systems, and modern IoT devices increasingly demanding higher power levels that only PoE++ can deliver, the LinkRunner AT 1500 validates full 90W PoE performance to ensure those devices are fully powered upon deployment.” NetAlly states that its products are available through authorised channel partners. The LinkRunner AT 1500 will be demonstrated at DTX 2026, taking place in the UK at Manchester Central on 29–30 April. Live demonstrations will be available at Stand E94 via its UK partner, Full Control Networks.

Brady: Make sure all tools are present. Always.

Have you ever arrived at an intervention without the necessary equipment? Ever lost tools during field interventions? How much time do you spend to make sure all equipment is accounted for and present in your vehicles? Thanks to Brady, now you can confirm vehicle inventories digitally and automatically, highlight any missing assets, and home in on misplaced items to quickly complete your vehicles. How much time could you save? Everything present Instantly see which tools are present in a vehicle and what is missing. Easily save substantial time per vehicle and intervention with automated equipment inventory checks that take only seconds. By labelling equipment with passive, battery-free UHF RFID labels, we can let an RFID reader in your vehicle detect which tools and items are present. The RFID reader can check detected tools versus a list of expected items to confirm a complete vehicle inventory or to highlight missing equipment on your phone. Be fully equipped before leaving for a field intervention. Avoid losing tools after interventions. Don’t waste time checking visually where every piece of equipment is. Just scan, get confirmation in seconds, and drive to your next destination. Click here to find out more. For more from Brady, click here.

Zayo Europe joins GNM-IX network

GNM, a Dutch internet exchange and backbone operator, has announced that network infrastructure provider Zayo Europe has joined its internet exchange, GNM-IX, expanding interconnection capacity across Europe. GNM-IX connects more than 700 autonomous systems (ASNs) and supports over 10.7 Tbps of peak traffic. The platform provides carrier-neutral traffic exchange across several European markets. By joining, GNM notes that Zayo Europe gains direct access to a broad community of carriers, ISPs, cloud platforms, and content networks. Zayo Europe operates a large fibre network across the region, linking major metropolitan areas and data centres. Its backbone infrastructure integrates with GNM’s dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network, supporting additional interconnection routes and traffic efficiency. Expanded interconnection across Europe The move builds on an existing working relationship between the two organisations. Following earlier transport collaboration, Zayo Europe’s participation in GNM-IX extends technical integration and increases interconnection options across multiple European routes. Ahmed Eidarous, International Development Manager at GNM, says, “We are pleased to welcome Zayo Europe to GNM-IX. Their extensive fibre infrastructure across major European markets naturally complements our distributed internet exchange built on GNM’s DWDM backbone. "By establishing presence in GNM-IX, Zayo Europe gains direct access to a rapidly growing peering ecosystem while enabling additional interconnection opportunities for networks across our platform.” GNM and Zayo Europe say they will continue to work together on further initiatives focused on connectivity and network resilience across Europe. For more from GNM, click here.

Stellanor acquires Hemel Hempstead data centre

UK data centre operator Stellanor has expanded its UK data centre platform to 11 facilities following the acquisition of an AI-ready site in Hemel Hempstead from UK semiconductor company Imagination Technologies. The deal, structured as a sale-and-service-back arrangement, will see Imagination Technologies continue operating from the facility as a managed client. Backed by German asset management company DWS, Stellanor says the acquisition brings its secured grid capacity to 39MVA and marks rapid growth from two to 11 facilities within six months. Michael Tobin, Chairman of the Board at Stellanor, comments, "This acquisition demonstrates the quality of infrastructure and tenants we’re attracting. Imagination Technologies is exactly the type of blue-chip technology company we are looking to serve: enterprises with demanding digital infrastructure requirements, from AI and high-performance computing to core enterprise applications and business-critical workloads. “Their decision to continue operating from this facility as a Stellanor client reiterates our strategy to combine investment in growth and improvement of facilities with operational excellence to serve organisations where they actually operate. "We're building a differentiated platform in the UK market with the scale and capability to deliver AI-ready infrastructure around the corner from our clients' operations. “While AI is a fast-growing driver, the majority of enterprise demand continues to come from organisations seeking resilience [and] well-connected infrastructure close to their operations.” Responding to demand for urban, AI-ready infrastructure The Hemel Hempstead site adds to Stellanor’s growing portfolio of urban data centres, supporting demand for infrastructure that combines proximity, resilience, and scalability. Markus Mosen, CEO of Imagination Technologies, explains, “As a global semiconductor IP company, our focus is on delivering high-performance, power-efficient GPU and AI technologies that enable our partners to build next-generation products. “At the same time, maintaining operational resilience across our infrastructure is critical to supporting continuous innovation. Our partnership with Stellanor strengthens this foundation, ensuring we have the robust, scalable environments needed to support our teams while enabling us to remain agile and focused on advancing our core technologies.” Aparna Narain, Partner at DWS, adds, "This acquisition sits at the intersection of two powerful trends: evolving AI growth and enduring demand for urban proximity. It adds proven infrastructure serving a blue-chip technology tenant to Stellanor. “We're creating a differentiated category in the UK market, combining urban focus with the scale and financial capability to deliver high-performance, AI-ready infrastructure that supports the full range of enterprise requirements - from core IT to evolving digital and cloud workloads.” Stellanor’s platform now spans locations including London, Reading, Cambridge, Woking, Gatwick, West Yorkshire, and Hemel Hempstead. The company launched in September 2025 with two London facilities acquired from Colt Technology Services and is progressing a further expansion through the acquisition of eight UK data centres from Redcentric (expected to close in the coming months). For more from Stellanor, click here.

DataScope, BCEI sign global data centre agreement

DataScope, a UK provider of construction management software, and Burr Computer Environments (BCEI), an engineering and construction management firm specialising in data centres, have signed a global enterprise agreement to deploy DataScope’s full software suite across BCEI’s data centre projects worldwide. The agreement will cover all current and future developments, including projects delivered in collaboration with EdgeConneX. It formalises a partnership that began in September 2020 with the deployment of DataTouch Daily Site Co-ordination in Santiago, Chile, and has since expanded across multiple international data centre campuses. Locations where the system has been implemented so far include Brussels, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Frankfurt, Chicago, Atlanta, New Albany, and Austin. Over this period, DataScope’s platform has been used to provide visibility of labour allocation, site attendance, and workforce competency tracking. It has also supported the management of high-risk activities, alongside reported improved communication and collaboration across project teams. BCEI has additionally used the system to manage key health and safety processes digitally, including permits, safety communications, RAMS, and safety observations. The companies say this has enabled the use of real-time safety data to support proactive risk management across projects. Supporting global scaling and consistency The enterprise agreement is intended to support BCEI’s continued global expansion, enabling more consistent reporting, improved operational control, and greater efficiency across its data centre portfolio. Jason Crowell, Environmental, Health, and Safety Director at BCEI, comments, “Data centre delivery is evolving rapidly and our clients demand both predictability and absolute reliability. "This global agreement ensures we have the digital backbone to scale efficiently while maintaining the highest safety standards across every region we operate in.” Joe Desormeaux, VP, Mission Critical at DataScope, adds, “This enterprise agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey with BCEI. What began in 2020 with the successful deployment of DataTouch in Santiago has grown into a truly global partnership spanning multiple continents and some of the most complex data centre projects in the world. “We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved together to date, from establishing robust workforce management and digital permit controls to creating best-in-class daily coordination processes. We look forward to the next phase of this partnership and to supporting BCEI’s continued growth across its global data centre portfolio.”

Nebius to operate 310MW Polarnode data centre

Dutch AI cloud company Nebius will operate a 310MW data centre campus in Lappeenranta, Finland, in a project developed by Finnish data centre project developer Polarnode. Construction is already under way in the Pajarila district, with the first phase expected to become operational in 2027. Once complete, the site is set to be among the largest AI-focused data centres in Europe. The development reflects increasing demand for large-scale infrastructure to support AI workloads, with operators seeking locations that offer access to power, cooling efficiency, and connectivity. Finland is increasingly seen as a suitable location for data centre development, due to its access to low-carbon energy, established grid infrastructure, and favourable climate conditions for cooling. Nebius states it is targeting more than 3GW of contracted power capacity globally by the end of 2026, with the Lappeenranta site contributing to that target. The local impact Mikko Toivanen, Chair at Polarnode, says, “It is fantastic that the first data centre project in Lappeenranta and its surrounding area has advanced to the construction phase on an accelerated schedule, and that [...] Nebius will be operating the campus. "In terms of scale, the project is historic, and this major investment is excellent news for the whole of Southeast Finland.” Arkady Volozh, founder and CEO of Nebius, adds, “We have been building in Finland for many years and are pleased to be expanding our presence here. Lappeenranta represents a significant addition to our global AI infrastructure build-out and will make a significant contribution to achieving our capacity goals.” Polarnode reports that the project will create around 700 direct construction roles, alongside additional indirect employment through subcontractors. Once operational, the facility is expected to employ more than 100 permanent staff. The company has also announced further data centre developments in Nokia, Pori, and Kuopio, as part of its expansion in Northern Europe. Tuomo Sallinen, Mayor of Lappeenranta, notes, “Lappeenranta offers an increasingly attractive environment for innovation, with our universities playing a key role in developing top talent tailored to the needs of high-tech industries. The new data centre will position our city at the forefront of Finland’s AI ecosystem.” For more from Polarnode, click here.

hi-tequity reports 5GW modular power delivery

hi-tequity, a provider of mission-critical infrastructure for data centres, says it has delivered 5GW of data centre infrastructure over a two-and-a-half-year period, alongside completing more than 200 projects. The company states that this activity includes deployments structured around 100MW data centre blocks, reflecting increasing demand from hyperscale and AI-driven workloads. Operations have also expanded across 25 US states during this period, as demand for capacity continues to grow. Industry forecasts highlight the scale of that demand. The International Energy Agency reports that electricity use from data centres could double by 2026, driven largely by AI workloads. At the same time, CBRE data indicates vacancy rates in major US markets have fallen below 3%, with power availability emerging as a primary constraint on new developments. A focus on power and deployment timelines hi-tequity attributes its recent boost in activity to a focus on power availability, supply chain coordination, and construction timelines. The company states it secures electrical capacity before site acquisition, while also working with manufacturing partners to support equipment supply, including transformers, switchgear, uninterruptible power systems, and cooling infrastructure. It also reports the use of modular and prefabricated approaches to reduce construction timelines for large-scale deployments. As data centre design requirements evolve, particularly for AI applications, the company highlights increasing rack densities exceeding 30kW, alongside higher cooling and power redundancy requirements. Ryne Friedman, Associate at hi-tequity, comments, “The bottleneck in AI infrastructure is no longer compute; it’s power and deployment speed. "Our ability to deliver 100MW in nine months and scale to 5GW of infrastructure demonstrates that the industry needs a fundamentally different approach to building data centres - one that starts with power and ends with execution certainty.”

Legrand acquires TES in data centre push

Legrand, a French multinational infrastructure products manufacturer, has acquired TES - including TES Power, a provider of power distribution equipment and modular electrical rooms for data centres - as part of its ongoing expansion in the data centre sector. The deal forms part of Legrand’s wider acquisition strategy, which also includes the purchase of Chinese rack manufacturer Keydak. The company says the latest transactions are intended to strengthen its position in data centre infrastructure, particularly in compute environments and critical power systems. TES, headquartered in Cookstown, Northern Ireland, employs around 300 people and reports annual revenue of £72 million. The business supplies power distribution equipment to the European data centre market, as well as the UK and Irish utility sectors. In recent years, TES has expanded its manufacturing capacity, including the opening of a 300,000ft² (27,870m²) facility in County Derry. The site supports production of low-voltage power distribution equipment for data centre and infrastructure projects. An acquisition supporting data centre growth plans Legrand states that TES generates a significant proportion of its revenue from data centres, aligning with its focus on digital infrastructure. This acquisition of TES, alongside Keydak, adds an estimated €285 million (£248.8 million) in combined annual revenue. Benoît Coquart, Chief Executive Officer at Legrand, says, “These two new transactions strengthen our position in the data centre market, both in compute infrastructure (around the chip) and in critical power. "With these announcements, a total of four acquisitions have been announced this year, all in data centres, which accounted for 26% of our revenue at the end of 2025.” TES says it will continue to operate from its existing sites in Cookstown and County Derry, maintaining its current workforce and manufacturing operations. Brian Taylor, CEO of TES, notes, “Joining Legrand is a landmark moment for TES. Over the past number of years, we have scaled our operations at an incredible pace, and this acquisition is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our entire team. "Legrand’s global reach and market-leading position in the electrical sector provide the perfect platform for TES to further expand our international presence.” Noel McCracken, Managing Director of TES, adds, “Our mission has always been to provide innovative, high-quality engineering for critical infrastructure. "With the support of Legrand, we can accelerate our investment in state-of-the-art manufacturing and continue to lead the way in both the water and power critical infrastructure markets.”

North East Data Centre Hub expands with second event

The North East Data Centre Hub, a not-for-profit forum designed to help shape and propel the future of the data centre sector in the North East of England, will host its second industry event on 23 April 2026 in Newcastle, following its launch earlier this year. The initiative brings together professionals from across the data centre sector, with the upcoming event featuring guest speaker Jimmy Mack, Director of Development at QTS Data Centers. The first event, held in February, attracted more than 100 attendees from across the supply chain, reflecting demand for a regional forum focused on engineering, construction, and digital infrastructure. Building on that response, the second event will take place at Revolución de Cuba in Newcastle, with increased capacity to accommodate further interest. The Hub plans to hold events approximately every two months across the region. The North East Data Centre Hub was established by founding partners RED Engineering Design, Cleveland Cable Company, CMP Products, Durata, Daikin Applied (UK), and RWO Associates. The group says it aims to support regional supply chains and contribute to data centre developments in the UK and internationally. Industry event to focus on collaboration A guest presentation from Jimmy Mack will form part of the April event, with a focus on digital infrastructure development and the role of regional supply chains. As demand for data centre capacity grows, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and wider digital adoption, collaboration across the supply chain is becoming increasingly important. The North East, the Hub notes, has existing engineering capability, infrastructure, and energy resources that support this activity. A spokesperson for the North East Data Centre Hub says, “The response to our launch event showed just how much appetite there is for a dedicated data centre forum in the North East. Bringing together over 100 professionals from across the sector was a clear indication of the region’s strength and potential. We’re delighted to welcome Jimmy Mack from QTS Data Centers as guest speaker for our second event. His insight will add an important global perspective to the conversation, helping to connect regional capability with the wider data centre market. This event is about continuing to build momentum, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term growth across the North East.” The event will combine networking with industry discussion, with future sessions expected to include guest speakers, technical content, and themed discussions aligned with sector priorities. For more from the North East Data Centre Hub, click here.

STL launches 'India's first' hollow core fibre cable

STL, an optical and digital systems company, has introduced a hollow core fibre (HCF) cable in India, designed for data centre networks and high-frequency transmission environments. The development focuses on reducing latency and supporting higher bandwidth demands in modern data centres, hyperscale facilities, and network infrastructure. Unlike conventional optical fibre, which transmits light through a solid glass core, hollow core fibre uses an air-filled core. This allows signals to travel at higher speeds, with STL stating performance improvements of around 46%, alongside reduced latency and signal loss. Noting that it is the first company to develop and manufacture this type of cable in India, STL says it is expanding its optical connectivity portfolio in response to increasing demand from AI-driven and high-performance computing environments. The cable also incorporates a hybrid design intended to support a range of network requirements. This includes hollow core fibre for low-latency transmission, G.654.E fibre for long-distance, low-loss performance, and G.657.A1 fibre to support flexible deployment across different network types. Hybrid design supports varied network needs The hybrid architecture reflects the growing complexity of data centre and telecoms infrastructure, where operators require a mix of performance characteristics within a single cable system. STL reports that the design supports both high-speed data transmission and broader network coverage, particularly in large-scale or distributed environments. The company also states that it holds more than 780 patents and continues to focus on optical technologies aimed at increasing network capacity and efficiency. Badri Gomatam, CTO at STL, says, "Our R&D focus has always been on solving the most complex challenges of the future. With the launch of [this] Hollow Core Fibre cable, we are providing the 'speed-of-light' infrastructure required for the AI revolution. "This is a defining moment that demonstrates our capability to innovate and empower hyperscalers and data centres on a global scale.” For more from STL, click here.