Enterprise Network Infrastructure: Design, Performance & Security

Lightpath announces new long-haul US fibre route

Lightpath, a New York-based fibre network and connectivity provider, has announced plans to build a new long-haul fibre route in the US, connecting Columbus, Ohio, and Chicago, Illinois. The approximately 392-mile (630-kilometre) route will include 327 miles (526 kilometres) of newly constructed underground multi-conduit fibre infrastructure spanning three US states. According to Lightpath, the project will be delivered in phases, with full end-to-end completion targeted for the end of 2028. The company says the route will connect two rapidly growing North American data centre markets and will incorporate eight LightCube Data Centers facilities, including seven new sites. Lightpath states that the infrastructure will support services including conduit access, dark fibre, colocation, high-capacity wavelengths, and connectivity services for hyperscale, carrier, and enterprise customers. New long-haul route for AI infrastructure growth Chris Morley, CEO of Lightpath, comments, “The Columbus-to-Chicago corridor reflects sustained hyperscale demand for high-capacity, long-haul fibre built to production-grade standards. “Connecting two of the world’s fastest-growing data centre markets on our own, purpose-built infrastructure positions Lightpath to support the next generation of AI and cloud workloads at scale.” According to the company, the new route builds on existing fibre infrastructure in Columbus and follows its acquisition of a 323-mile (520-kilometre) fibre system between New York and Ashburn in late 2024. The southern section of the route, connecting Columbus and South Bend, is expected to be the first phase brought online. Tim Haverkate, Chief Commercial Officer at Lightpath, suggests, “Building this corridor from the ground up - on a timeline driven by a real anchor award - demonstrates what our team is capable of delivering.” Lightpath says it is also assessing additional in-line amplifier locations along the route to support future capacity expansion. For more from Lightpath, click here.

Siemon's DACs, AOCs, and Transceivers: Why validation matters

Siemon's comprehensive range of Direct Attach Cables (DACs), Active Optical Cables (AOCs), and optical transceivers delivers the high-speed interconnects modern data centres demand. Supporting speeds from 10G through to 400G and beyond, these pluggable solutions offer the flexibility and density needed to keep pace with today's AI-driven workloads and mission-critical applications. However, deploying these components without proper validation is a costly risk. Malfunctioning transceivers can cause high bit-error rates, loss of connectivity, slow network performance, and reduced signal strength - yet many discarded transceivers are in perfect working condition, presumed faulty without proper diagnosis. This is where the EXFO FTBx-88480 proves indispensable. Powered by EXFO's iOptics application, it assesses transceiver health in under three minutes, supporting OSFP, QSFP28, QSFP56, SFP28, AOC, and DAC form factors. The result: validated Siemon infrastructure, reduced waste, and lower operational costs. Networks Centre is a distributor for both EXFO and Siemon, and the company says its technical support team would be happy to advise on the right products to meet your requirements. Find out more at Networks Centre's website or get in touch via email at enquiries@networkscentre.com or by phone on +44 (0)1403 754233. For more from Networks Centre, click here.

RETN expands Balkans fibre backbone

RETN, an independent global network service provider, has launched a new backbone route connecting Drobeta, Bucharest, Iași, and Chișinău, creating an additional connectivity path across Romania and into Moldova. Delivered as a single, end-to-end backbone route, the expansion provides an alternative physical connectivity option to existing regional IP transit corridors in Eastern Europe. The new route forms part of RETN’s wider strategy to expand its optical network infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe. By linking Romania and Moldova with the company’s existing Balkans corridor between Budapest, Timișoara, and Sofia, the project introduces additional geographical route diversity across the region. The backbone also enables alternative routing into Ukraine via Moldova and into the Balkans through Bulgaria, offering additional routing options for regional and international traffic flows. New routing options across Eastern Europe Olena Lutsenko, Business Development Director at RETN, comments, “This project is an important step in strengthening connectivity resilience in Romania. “Bucharest and Iași are rapidly developing hubs for business, education, and technology, and demand for resilient, high-capacity infrastructure is rising fast. “By delivering a direct route from Timișoara to Bucharest and onward to Chișinău, we are enabling faster, more scalable access to the region from the Balkans, Ukraine, and Central and Eastern Europe in general - for operators, ISPs, enterprises, and international customers.” The expansion comes amid continued fibre infrastructure growth across Romania and Eastern Europe. According to the National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications of Romania (ANCOM), Romania recorded 6.9 million fixed broadband connections in mid-2025, with 37% capable of gigabit speeds. The regulator also reported continued growth in demand for ultra-high-speed internet services and increasing fixed broadband traffic per capita. Internet adoption across Romania was estimated at approximately 94% of the population in late 2025. For more from RETN, click here.

euNetworks launches Frankfurt–Strasbourg fibre route

euNetworks, a European bandwidth infrastructure company, has launched a new long-haul fibre route connecting Frankfurt and Strasbourg, expanding its Super Highway network across Europe. The 247km route links two key connectivity hubs and has been developed in response to rising demand for AI and cloud infrastructure across the FLAP-D region, which includes Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam, Paris, and Dublin. The route provides direct, low-latency connectivity between the two cities, with access to more than 76 data centres in Frankfurt and further connections to over 600 sites across euNetworks’ wider European footprint. Built using new high-capacity fibre, the route has been designed to avoid congested areas, improving resilience and offering additional network diversity. Supporting capacity and resilience in FLAP-D The expansion addresses increased traffic between Frankfurt, one of the world’s most interconnected network hubs, and Strasbourg, an established interconnection point for long-haul routes. As part of the build, new infrastructure has been introduced along the route, including upgraded intermediate line amplifier sites designed to improve energy efficiency. The fibre deployed is also intended to support improved transmission performance and lower operational costs. Marisa Trisolino, CEO at euNetworks, comments, "euNetworks is relentless in our pursuit to address Europe’s accelerating demand for bandwidth, and we will continue to develop our state-of-the-art networks where our customers need it the most." The Frankfurt–Strasbourg link is the sixth route to be delivered as part of euNetworks’ Super Highway programme, which focuses on connecting major data centre markets across the FLAP-D region.

How 5G-A GigaUplink kept a robot half-marathon on track

Chinese telecommunications operator China Unicom and Chinese multinational technology company Huawei's landmark deployment at the 2026 Beijing E-Town event demonstrates what high-uplink network architecture can deliver when the stakes - and the robot runners - are at full sprint. When 21 humanoid robots lined up alongside human runners at the 2026 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon on 19 April, the spectacle represented far more than a novelty sporting occasion. Behind the scenes, a sophisticated 5G-A network was working hard to ensure that each machine could navigate, sense its environment, and communicate in real time - all while travelling at speeds of up to 10 metres per second. The event, held at Tongming Lake Park and Nanhaizi Park in Beijing's E-Town (Yizhuang) district, marked a genuine global first: human runners and humanoid robots competing simultaneously on the same course. It also served as a compelling proof of concept for how high-uplink 5G-A connectivity can solve some of the most demanding real-world engineering challenges in embodied AI. The engineering challenge Running a humanoid robot half-marathon is not simply a mechanical feat. Each robot must receive and transmit a continuous stream of HD video, environmental sensor data, and positioning information. Remote-control robots require stable, low-latency command links, while the autonomous navigation group demands even more: real-time decision-making support, precise positioning to sub-decimetre accuracy, and dynamic obstacle avoidance - all at pace, over a 21km course, in a densely populated public space. Add to that the media requirements - 4K and 8K live broadcasting, real-time data feeds, and tens of thousands of spectators uploading content simultaneously - and the uplink demands become extraordinary. Each robot alone requires approximately 10 Mbps of sustained uplink bandwidth, and the network must support more than 40 concurrent service scenarios without degradation. In short, this was not a use case that a conventional network architecture was built to handle. The network solution China Unicom Beijing, supported by Huawei's radio access technology, deployed a 5G-A premium network along the full length of the course. The solution centres on 5G-A three-component carrier (3CC) aggregation across 3.5GHz and 2.1GHz bands, using Huawei's Extended Large Aperture Array (ELAA) technology. This combination delivers a peak uplink speed of 677 Mbps and an average of 155 Mbps, with end-to-end latency averaging just 30 ms. Crucially, uplink speeds of 20 Mbps or above were maintained more than 99.6% of the time - a figure that underlines the reliability required for safety-critical autonomous systems operating at speed. Dedicated uplink network slices were reserved along the course to prioritise robot connectivity and guarantee positioning accuracy to sub-decimetre level. At the high-density start and finish areas, carrier priority technology ensured that robot and media traffic was not crowded out by spectator demand. The result was consistent, stable connectivity for both the autonomous navigation robots and the remote-control group throughout the full 21km route. Underpinning the physical network is an intelligent operations and maintenance (O&M) platform, which uses AI algorithms to monitor equipment remotely, predict faults at millisecond timescales, and optimise resource allocation dynamically. By combining dynamic and static management, the system enables continuous, unattended operation and real-time adaptation to shifting traffic patterns across the course. China Unicom has built this into a broader ICT-integrated smart operations architecture - one that gives the network, as the company puts it, a "smart brain". What it delivered The results speak clearly to what a well-engineered, high-uplink network can achieve. Robots in the autonomous navigation group executed precise perception and rapid decision-making throughout the course, supported by sub-decimetre positioning accuracy and guaranteed low-latency data paths. Live broadcast teams delivered 4K and 8K feeds without interruption, and spectators experienced consistently smooth connectivity despite the event's scale. Field testing recorded a peak uplink speed of 677 Mbps, while the 99.6% fulfilment rate at 20 Mbps confirmed that the headline performance figures translated into reliable real-world delivery. The network also supported innovative spectator applications, including AR and VR viewing modes that allowed fans to experience the marathon from the robots' own perspectives - all enabled by the same high-uplink infrastructure. In their own words Qin Yang, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom in Beijing, spoke proudly of the excellent connections his company provided for the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games, as a global strategic partner, and for the 2026 Beijing E-Town Half-Marathon event, as the exclusive official communications sponsor. He said, "5G-A and AI are essential digital infrastructure, enabling us to bring embodied AI to sports. Given the new dynamics of AI development, we will double down on our priorities over connectivity, computing power, services, and security to sharpen our competitive edges as a preferred telecom partner for intelligent sports and a core enabler for intelligent industry transformation. "Moving forward, we will accelerate our innovation-driven push to strengthen our digital infrastructure and drive the high-quality growth of embodied AI in China and beyond." Samuel Chen, Vice President of Huawei's Wireless Network Business Marketing, added that this humanoid robot half-marathon offers a good example of deepening integration between mobile technology and embodied intelligence. He commented, "Beyond redefining connectivity for sports, it has shown us what intelligent production and life will look like in future. We are always dedicated to building excellent 5G-A networks together with operators based on user-centred innovation to ensure GigaUplink, low latency, and high reliability for differentiated mobile AI services. This will enable us to continuously drive the high-quality growth of the digital economy." The broader picture The Beijing event is significant not only as a spectacle, but as an indicator of where network engineering is heading. The shift from downlink-dominant 5G towards symmetrical, high-uplink architectures reflects a fundamental change in how AI-driven applications interact with mobile infrastructure. Embodied AI, industrial data backhaul, and immersive real-time services all place enormous demands on uplink capacity - demands that traditional LTE and early 5G networks were not designed to meet. The 5G-A GigaUplink standard, with its target of ubiquitous 20Mbps uplink availability, positions the technology as a credible foundation for the next generation of intelligent applications. China Unicom's deployment at the E-Town marathon demonstrates that this is not merely theoretical; with the right network architecture, AI-powered autonomous systems can operate reliably at scale in complex, real-world environments. For network engineers and infrastructure professionals, the lesson from Beijing is clear: As embodied AI moves from the laboratory to the streets, connectivity infrastructure must evolve to match - and the 5G-A deployment at the E-Town marathon offers a practical, field-tested blueprint for how that evolution can be achieved. For more from Huawei, click here.

Neterra adds fourth Sofia–Frankfurt data route

Neterra, an independent Bulgarian global telecommunications provider, has launched a fourth independent data transmission route between Sofia and Frankfurt, expanding capacity and network resilience. The company states it is the only provider in the region operating four separate and geographically diverse routes between the two locations. The infrastructure is supported by its NetIX internet exchange platform. The additional route has been introduced in response to increasing disruption across international networks. Recent outages have shown that multiple routes can be affected at the same time, impacting services across major platforms. Dean Belev (pictured above), Senior Product Manager for Connectivity and NetIX at Neterra, says, “When external interruptions occurred in international infrastructure, we saw that even three routes were not always enough to guarantee the quality we strive for. “That is why we initiated the construction of a fourth line based on our specific requirements. Now, all four routes are completely independent, not only in their physical paths, but also in terms of operators and equipment used. This represents the highest level of protection we can offer our customers.” The new route is already supporting several hundred customers using data transmission, internet access, and NetIX platform services in the region. Capacity upgrade planned across all routes Alongside the new route, Neterra plans to increase capacity across its Sofia–Frankfurt network. The company will upgrade from N × 100Gbps to N × 400Gbps across all four routes. The upgrade reportedly follows continued growth in demand and the expansion of NetIX, which currently operates at around 7Tbps capacity. The combined expansion is intended to improve both performance and resilience across one of Europe’s key data connectivity corridors. For more from Neterra, click here.

How to ensure your infrastructure complies with DORA

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Chris Noon, Director of Solution Engineering, International at Alkira, outlines how financial institutions must embed security, resilience, and transparency into their network infrastructure to meet the demands of DORA: Rethinking network infrastructure The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) marks a major change in how the European financial sector manages technology risk. Instead of focusing only on solvency, DORA emphasises keeping digital services running smoothly. For enterprise organisations, this means every part of the technology stack, especially the network infrastructure connecting cloud environments and data centres, must be reviewed with operational resilience and security in mind. With this new framework, financial institutions are ultimately responsible for their digital resilience, even as they rely more on a complex network of ICT third-party service providers. To manage this, IT and compliance teams need to shift from reactive security to building systems where resilience is built in from the start. The core pillars of DORA compliance DORA requires financial organisations to have a complete strategy for managing ICT risks. This strategy should address five main areas: ICT risk management, incident reporting, operational resilience testing, third-party risk management, and information sharing. From an infrastructure point of view, the regulation says organisations must treat their network and cloud providers as essential parts of service delivery. IT teams should make sure providers go beyond just offering a service-level agreement and also give clear information about how their systems are built, managed, and secured. Security by design in network infrastructure To build security by design, start by choosing infrastructure platforms that follow well-known industry standards. When reviewing a network provider, IT teams should look for signs of a "born-in-the-cloud" or "security-first" approach. This shows the platform was built to work in high-risk, tightly regulated settings. Key indicators of a security-by-design approach include: • Identity and access governance — Providers should have strong identity and access management (IAM) features, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA); detailed, role-based access control (RBAC); and Policy Based Access Control (PBAC). This helps make sure only authorised people can change important network settings. • Encrypted connectivity — Security by design means data must be protected both while moving and when stored. Network providers should make it easy to use encryption across multi-cloud and hybrid setups without making operations more complicated. • Independent validation — Security claims need to be supported by third-party audits. Certifications like SOC 2 Type II, which cover security, availability, and confidentiality, are important standards. These reports give the proof needed for the due diligence required by DORA. Building for operational resilience Operational resilience means a company can handle, respond to, and recover from technology problems. For DORA, this means the network should not have a single point of failure. A resilient setup is usually spread out so if one part fails, traffic is rerouted to keep services running. IT teams should choose providers that focus on high availability as a key part of their services. This means having constant monitoring and alerts to catch problems early. The provider should also have a clear and tested incident response plan. DORA requires financial institutions to report major ICT incidents to regulators quickly, so the network provider must be able to supply the needed data and logs for fast investigation and reporting. Managing third-party risk and oversight A major challenge with DORA is the extra oversight of third-party providers. Financial organisations now have to include clear contract terms about oversight and audit rights. This need for transparency can be hard for some traditional technology providers to handle. When choosing an infrastructure partner, organisations should pick providers with clear processes for handling compliance questions. This means they can share security policies, operational procedures, and proof of regular penetration testing under non-disclosure agreements. The provider should act as a partner, helping the customer meet regulatory requirements, not just supplying a technical service. The role of Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) As financial institutions update their networks, many are choosing Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) models to handle the complexity of multi-cloud environments. These platforms connect on-premises data centres with different cloud service providers, acting as the system’s central hub. To meet DORA requirements, an IaaS platform must show it does not create new risks. It should be built on a well-known cloud infrastructure that already meets strong security standards. Using a resilient IaaS model helps IT teams see their whole network clearly, making risk management and compliance easier. Practical steps for IT teams To get ready for DORA, IT and risk management teams should take these practical steps with their network providers: 1. Conduct comprehensive due diligence — Check current and potential providers to make sure they meet DORA’s rules for security controls, incident response, and resilience testing. 2. Audit contractual arrangements — Make sure contracts clearly state audit rights, service levels, and the provider’s duty to help during a regulatory inquiry. 3. Evaluate multi-cloud strategy — Check if your current network setup allows you to quickly move workloads between cloud providers if one goes down. 4. Establish clear reporting lines — Decide how the network provider will communicate during an incident and what information they will give to support your reporting needs. Looking forward DORA is an ongoing operational process, not a one-off project. As regulations change, the need for operational resilience will only grow. Financial institutions that focus on security by design and pick infrastructure partners who value transparency and reliability will be better prepared for these changes. In the end, resilience is something everyone shares. The financial organisation is still responsible to the regulator, but its compliance success depends on its technology providers. By choosing providers who see compliance as a key part of their design, organisations can build a digital foundation that meets DORA and supports the future of digital finance.

FTTH Conference 2026 highlights Europe’s fibre momentum

The FTTH Conference 2026 has successfully concluded, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to assess progress and priorities for Europe’s fibre future. Discussions confirmed steady momentum in fibre rollout, alongside a growing focus on adoption, investment sustainability, and enabling regulatory frameworks. Key topics included the strategic role of fibre as backbone infrastructure for data centres interconnectivity, network resilience and cybersecurity, cloud applications, and technologies of the future like artificial intelligence (AI). The event also provided the stage to recognise excellence across the sector through the FTTH Awards and FTTH Innovation Awards 2026. FTTH Awards 2026 winners: • Individual Award — Trevor Linney, Network Technology Director at Openreach• Operator Award — Netomnia (United Kingdom)• Champion of Diversity Award — SIRO (Ireland) FTTH Innovation Awards 2026 winners: • Passive Infrastructure — Homes Passed+Featuring FiberMag by Emtelle• Active Infrastructure Central Network — Multi-PON line card LLLT-A by Nokia• Active Infrastructure Home Network — SDG 8000 and 9000 Series mesh Wi-Fi solutions by Adtran• Planning, Workflow, Mapping/GIS Software — NET Scan by TKI• Installation Equipment, Tools, Test & Measurement — FTB-Lite Series by EXFO• Artificial Intelligence & Software — Mosaic One Clarity by Adtran FTTH Council Europe President Francesco Nonno comments, “The FTTH Conference 2026 confirms that Europe is facing the last phase of fibre coverage and of migration from copper to fibre, which is proving difficult in a number of countries. "Policy choices, such as copper switch off, are much welcomed to accelerate this process, while the focus is clearly shifting towards building resilient, future-proof networks that will underpin Europe’s digital decade.” The FTTH Council Europe says it now looks ahead to the next edition of the event, FTTH Conference 2027, taking place from 16–18 March 2027 at MiCo Milan in Italy, where the industry will continue to shape the future of fibre connectivity. For more from FTTH, click here.

Huber+Suhner expands Microsoft Azure fibre collaboration

Huber+Suhner, a Swiss fibre optic cable manufacturer, has strengthened its collaboration with Microsoft Azure to support the wider deployment of hollow core fibre (HCF) connectivity across the Azure network. The company plans further investment in production capabilities to increase manufacturing volumes as Microsoft expands the use of HCF across additional Azure regions. The collaboration is focused on supporting cloud and AI infrastructure requirements. Huber+Suhner has worked with Microsoft’s Azure fibre team in Romsey, UK, since 2017, following the acquisition of Lumenisity, a University of Southampton spin-out. Together, the organisations have developed HCF cable and connector technologies which are already deployed within the Azure network. Higher-capacity variants are also in development to support future infrastructure growth. The two companies have jointly developed and qualified a range of outside plant (OSP) and inside plant (ISP) cable designs for field deployment. Work is also ongoing to develop higher-density HCF cable designs for future network requirements. At Huber+Suhner’s manufacturing facility in Herisau, Switzerland, dedicated processes have been introduced to integrate HCF into multi-fibre loose-tube cables, with scope to increase capacity as demand grows. Connector development supporting HCF deployment Alongside cable development, Huber+Suhner has developed a mode-converting HCF connector designed for hyperscale and metro optical environments. These connectors are manufactured at the company’s Cube Optics facility in Mainz, Germany, with further investment planned to expand production capacity. With both HCF cable and connector designs qualified, Huber+Suhner says it is extending its portfolio to support end-to-end fibre connectivity across cloud infrastructure. Jürgen Walter, COO Communication Segment at Huber+Suhner, comments, “Huber+Suhner is proud to support Microsoft as HCF connectivity solutions move to deployment at scale. "Building on our foundations of innovation and quality, we can expect further advances in our HCF connectivity portfolio as the pace of adoption accelerates. Together, we look forward to shaping the future of cloud connectivity and unlocking the full potential of HCF.” Colin Wallace, GM Cloud Network Engineering at Microsoft Azure, adds, “We value our long-standing collaboration with Huber+Suhner, which has helped us transition HCF technology from advanced research into operational deployment in the Microsoft Azure network. "These HCF cable and connector technologies are already deployed and carrying live traffic over Azure HCF links today, and this integrated capability will help us rapidly co-design and scale connectivity solutions for the future of cloud and AI network infrastructure.” The relevance of HCF HCF technology enables data to be transmitted through air rather than glass, allowing for significantly lower latency in optical networks. Microsoft’s Double-Nested Anti-Resonant Nodeless Fibre design also supports lower signal loss and higher launch powers compared to standard single-mode fibre, reducing the need for optical amplification in some metro networks. The use of HCF in data centre environments is expected to support greater flexibility in site location, as well as improved efficiency in distributed AI workloads by reducing latency between compute clusters. However, wider deployment presents technical challenges, including the need for robust cable designs and compatible termination methods. Huber+Suhner says its HCF connectors are designed to interface with standard single-mode fibre systems while protecting the hollow core structure and maintaining performance in operational environments. For more from Huber+Suhner, click here.

STL launches Neuralis US data centre platform

STL, an optical and digital systems company, has launched its Neuralis data centre connectivity portfolio in the United States, targeting infrastructure designed for artificial intelligence and high-density computing environments. The announcement was made by STL Optical Connectivity NA, the company’s US subsidiary, at Data Center World 2026 in Washington, D.C. Neuralis is designed to support evolving data centre requirements, particularly the shift towards AI workloads, hyperscale computing, and edge deployments. These trends are increasing demand for high-speed, high-density connectivity within and between facilities. The portfolio focuses on managing the transition from traditional north–south traffic flows to more intensive east–west traffic, driven by GPU-based architectures and AI training processes. Designed for high-density AI infrastructure The Neuralis portfolio is structured around two main areas: The first focuses on maximising data centre space through the use of high-density, pre-terminated fibre cabling. This approach moves connection work into manufacturing environments, reducing on-site installation time and complexity. The second area addresses data centre interconnect (DCI), supporting large-scale data transfer between sites. This includes fibre infrastructure designed for high-capacity environments, with cables capable of supporting large fibre counts for AI deployments. STL has developed the portfolio through collaboration with customers, with a focus on addressing space, density, and deployment challenges in modern data centres. The company’s manufacturing process covers the full fibre lifecycle, including preform production, fibre drawing, cabling, and connector integration. Production for the US market is supported by STL’s facility in Lugoff, South Carolina. Ankit Agarwal, Managing Director of STL, notes, "AI demands a level of precision and density that traditional cabling simply cannot meet. "With STL Neuralis, we are providing the high-speed, low-latency foundation that allows GPU clusters to perform at their peak, moving complexity out of the field and into a controlled, high-precision factory environment." The launch reflects increasing demand for infrastructure capable of supporting AI-driven workloads, as operators continue to scale data centre capacity across North America. For more from STL, click here.