Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

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.

Navigating AI’s infrastructure surge

In this exclusive interview, DCNN speaks with Lottie Westerling (pictured above), Head of Product at techoraco, about the structural pressures emerging across digital infrastructure, the industry’s shifting priorities, and the debates set to define the next phase of AI-driven growth: Power, talent, and the road ahead DCNN: AI is accelerating demand for digital infrastructure at an unprecedented rate. From your perspective, is the industry genuinely keeping pace, or are we starting to see structural gaps emerge? Lottie: The pace of growth across digital infrastructure is unlike anything the industry has experienced before. AI has accelerated demand dramatically, and we’re seeing a surge of activity from both established players and new entrants looking to capitalise on the opportunity. However, this rapid expansion is also exposing clear structural gaps - most notably around access to power. The challenge is no longer just about building capacity, but about how quickly that capacity can be energised. From the resurgence of gas and the resulting pressure on turbine supply to increasingly long grid interconnection queues, the strain on energy infrastructure is becoming more visible. In many ways, demand is now outpacing the systems that support it - permitting, power delivery, and supply chains alike. Addressing these constraints will be critical for organisations that want to remain competitive in an AI-driven landscape. DCNN: Events like Datacloud Global Congress Cannes bring together a wide cross-section of the ecosystem. What recurring themes are you hearing most often from industry leaders today? Lottie: Several themes are consistently coming to the fore in conversations with industry leaders. As already mentioned, speed to power remains a dominant concern, but it’s closely followed by a broader shift in how data centres are being designed. As density requirements increase, we’re seeing a growing focus on new architectures, with liquid cooling becoming central to future-ready design strategies. At the same time, financing continues to be a key topic - not due to a lack of capital, but because of questions around risk allocation and the long-term bankability of large-scale projects. Talent continues to dominate as another major area of concern. The rise of AI-driven “gigafactories” is intensifying demand for skilled workers, and the shortage of talent is becoming just as critical as constraints in equipment or infrastructure. Finally, community engagement is rising on the agenda. Public perception and planning friction are increasingly influencing project timelines, making it essential for the industry to communicate its value more clearly and responsibly. DCNN: The industry is often described as highly collaborative, yet also competitive. How important is collaboration in addressing some of the sector’s biggest challenges, such as energy access or skills shortages? Lottie: Collaboration is fundamental to solving the industry’s most pressing challenges. Issues such as energy access extend far beyond the data centre sector; they sit at the intersection of grid planning, regulation, power generation, and infrastructure design. As a result, meaningful progress depends on close coordination between the energy ecosystem and digital infrastructure stakeholders. The same principle applies to talent. Addressing the skills gap will require a collective approach, from developing shared training pathways to increasing visibility into career opportunities across the sector. By working together, the industry can make these pathways more accessible and attractive to a broader, more diverse workforce. DCNN: Talent continues to be a critical issue across digital infrastructure. What changes are needed to attract and retain the next generation of talent into the sector? Lottie: One of the biggest challenges is awareness. The value proposition of a career in digital infrastructure is not always well understood, particularly among younger audiences. There is a clear need to better communicate the scale, impact, and long-term opportunity that the sector offers. This means investing in more structured entry points such as graduate programmes, apprenticeships, and industry-led initiatives that make it easier for people to find and pursue careers in the space. It also involves creating clearer career pathways and showcasing the diversity of roles available, from engineering and operations through to sustainability and innovation. Ultimately, attracting the next generation will depend on making the industry more visible, more accessible, and more aligned with the priorities of emerging talent. DCNN: From the conversations you’re helping to shape across the Global Congress community, are you seeing a shift in priorities? Lottie: There is a growing sense of cautious optimism across the industry. While demand remains strong, there is an increasing focus on ensuring that growth is both resilient and sustainable over the long term. Leaders are placing greater emphasis on the fundamentals: reliability of power supply, sustainability of water usage, and alignment with evolving regulatory frameworks. There is also a stronger focus on future-proofing assets, ensuring that infrastructure built today will remain relevant as technologies continue to evolve. This suggests a shift from purely rapid expansion towards a more balanced approach that prioritises durability, efficiency, and long-term viability. DCNN: Looking ahead, what topics or debates do you think will define the next 12–24 months in the data centre and digital infrastructure space? Lottie: Over the next 12 to 24 months, several key debates are likely to shape the direction of the industry. At the forefront is how to meet the enormous power requirements of AI at scale. This includes discussions around alternative energy pathways, the role of nuclear, and the viability of behind-the-meter solutions. Risk allocation will also be a central issue, particularly in how responsibility is distributed between investors, operators, and tenants in increasingly complex projects. At the same time, more forward-looking topics are beginning to gain traction. The potential for data centres in space, while still nascent, is generating discussion, as is the longer-term impact of quantum computing on infrastructure requirements. Together, these conversations reflect an industry that is not only responding to immediate pressures, but also actively shaping its future trajectory.

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.

Data Centre Energy Summit to focus on AI power demands

The Data Centre Energy Summit (DCES) 2026 will bring together representatives from the UK’s energy and digital infrastructure sectors to examine the growing energy demands associated with artificial intelligence and large-scale data centre development. Taking place at the Storey Club Paddington in London, the event will focus on how the energy sector can respond to increasing demand from hyperscale computing, cloud expansion, and AI infrastructure. Organisers say the summit will address issues including grid constraints, planning delays, water usage, energy strategy, and rising infrastructure costs, with discussions centred on practical approaches to delivering data centre capacity within energy-constrained environments. Sessions throughout the event will examine topics including onsite power generation, grid integration, engineering design, microgrids, and energy campus models. Financial and regulatory considerations, including ESG reporting and planning frameworks, will also form part of the programme. Industry leaders to discuss energy infrastructure challenges Confirmed participants include Paul Stein, CEO of Floral Energy; Katie Davies, Head of Energy & Infrastructure Policy at TechUK; and Jonathan Clark, Associate Director at Gleeds, alongside a broader cohort of industry figures involved in shaping the future of power and connectivity. Eric Lewis, Managing Director of Foresight Industries, says, “We have deliberately chosen to approach this summit from the perspective of the energy sector looking at data centres, rather than the other way around. "This perspective allows us to better understand how different parts of the energy sector can respond to one of the fastest-growing challenges in infrastructure today.” According to the organisers, the event is intended to encourage earlier collaboration between energy providers, infrastructure developers, policymakers, investors, and engineering teams as pressure on power networks continues to increase. The summit will also explore how cooling systems, heat reuse, and high-density computing requirements are shaping future infrastructure planning and investment decisions. To find out more about the summit, 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.

Legrand cooling selected for 'Europe’s largest AI campus'

Legrand, a French multinational infrastructure products manufacturer, has been selected by Start Campus, a designer, builder, and operator of sustainable data centres, to supply cooling technology for a large-scale data centre development in Sines, Portugal. The project forms part of a planned 1.2GW campus designed to support AI, cloud computing, and high-performance workloads. Legrand will deploy its rear-door heat exchanger technology, developed by its USystems brand, to provide rack-level cooling across the site. The Sines campus is powered by renewable energy and is targeting a power usage effectiveness (PUE) of 1.1 and a water usage effectiveness (WUE) of 0, using seawater cooling to support high-density environments. Robert Dunn, CEO of Start Campus, says, "These are very technically challenging projects, so we need to work with the best in the business to meet those complex challenges." Cooling technology for high-density workloads The cooling system operates at rack level, removing heat directly at source by cooling exhaust air before it enters the wider data hall. This approach reduces reliance on traditional air-cooling methods and supports higher rack densities. Legrand states that the system can reduce cooling-related power consumption compared with conventional approaches, whilst also maintaining stable thermal conditions. The technology additionally adjusts cooling capacity in real time to match operational requirements, supporting efficiency and performance across the facility. Rita Lourenço, Key Account Manager - Critical Power at Legrand, notes, "The full lifecycle partnership [...] includes knowledge sharing, maintenance support, proactive problem detection, and long-term collaboration beyond commissioning." The two companies state their partnership includes ongoing support and maintenance, alongside the initial deployment of the cooling systems. For more from Legrand, click here.

A-Gas participating as a Gold Sponsor at DCN

With the growing global demand for data, the need for efficient cooling solutions and environmentally friendly refrigerants is becoming increasingly critical. Meeting this rising demand sustainably is essential, which is where A-Gas, a company specialising in lifecycle refrigerant management (LRM), says it can play an important role, supporting the industry’s transition to lower-GWP alternatives. The company has announced that, for this reason, it will attend Data Center Nation (DCN) in Milan as a Gold Sponsor on 27 May, demonstrating how it can actively support industry players. Data Center Nation is an event dedicated to the data centre industry. The organisers say it serves as a hub where hyperscalers (such as AWS and Microsoft), investors, enterprise end users, and infrastructure suppliers can come together to discuss the future of digital infrastructure. At the event, A-Gas says it will feature a dedicated booth and contribute to the Tech Stage panel with a presentation titled 'Cooling in Transition: HFCs, Low-GWP Refrigerants & the Data Centre Challenge'. On 27 May, attendees can visit the company's stand to learn more about its offerings to support the transition to low-GWP alternatives and to discover its recovery, reclamation, and repurposing technologies. For more from A-Gas, click here.

AVK launches modular PowerPods for data centres

AVK, a provider of power systems and electrical infrastructure for data centres, has introduced a new modular power system, PowerPods, designed to support energy infrastructure for hyperscale data centres and AI deployments. The units integrate key electrical components - including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), engines, switchgear, controls, enclosures, and transformers - into a single, pre-engineered system. Each unit is delivered ready for connection and deployment on site. The launch reflects growing demand for scalable power infrastructure, as data centre operators seek to deploy capacity more quickly while maintaining resilience and operational continuity. PowerPods have been developed using AVK’s experience in critical power systems, including standby and prime power, as well as control and service capabilities. Modular approach to data centre power deployment The company highlights that the systems are designed to simplify installation by combining multiple elements of the power chain into a single unit. This approach aims to reduce complexity during deployment and support more flexible expansion as demand increases. PowerPods can be configured to meet specific project requirements and are designed to support a range of technologies, allowing operators to adapt systems over time. The modular design also enables use across both new developments and existing sites requiring additional capacity. The units are available for immediate deployment, with a focus on reducing lead times for projects where rapid delivery is required. Ben Pritchard, CEO at AVK, says, “The launch of the AVK PowerPods reinforces our position as one of the few businesses capable of designing, delivering, and supporting the entire data centre power ecosystem - at scale, with true flexibility, and with the engineering depth that critical infrastructure demands. "Large data centres need partners who genuinely understand the full energy picture and we now own the full power train. “PowerPods complete our proposition to the market. They bring together our extensive critical power expertise with our technology-agnostic model to deliver a complete power train solution that makes us a reliable, long-term energy partner for data centre operators. "With our ready-to-deploy PowerPods model, we are perfectly positioned to support the next wave of hyperscale data centres and AI infrastructure.” For more from AVK, click here.

Ellis unveils heavy-duty cable hanger, Hercules

Ellis Patents, a UK manufacturer of cable cleats and cable management systems, has introduced a new heavy-duty cable hanger, Hercules, at Data Centre World Frankfurt, expanding its cable support range for high-capacity data centre infrastructure. The product has been developed to support heavier cable installations as facilities increase power density and cabling volumes. It is designed for use in environments where mechanical strength and cable integrity are critical. Hercules is available in sizes ranging from 6 inches to 25 inches, providing flexibility across different cable diameters and installation requirements. The hanger is also UV-resistant, making it suitable for installations where cable containment may be exposed to external conditions, such as perimeter runs or transition zones. Designed for high-capacity cable installations As data centre projects scale, contractors are required to manage larger power cables and higher electrical loads, often within tighter deployment schedules. Cable support systems play a key role in maintaining safety and reliability in these environments. Ellis says the Hercules cable hanger has been developed in consultation with industry stakeholders to address these installation challenges, supporting heavier cable runs while maintaining ease of installation. Kelly Brown, Sales Director at Ellis, explains, "As data centre infrastructure grows in scale and complexity, the need for dependable, heavy-duty cable support becomes increasingly important. "Hercules has been developed in partnership with industry experts to provide installers with a strong, practical solution that supports heavier cable runs while offering the flexibility, durability, and UV resistance along with the reliability customers need and have come to expect from Ellis." The product was presented to contractors, consultants, and specifiers at Data Centre World Frankfurt, where it is aimed at those involved in hyperscale, colocation, and enterprise data centre projects. Ellis states that the addition of Hercules also strengthens its wider cable management offering for data centre applications.

Daikin expands UK HVAC rental fleet

Daikin Rental Solutions, the dedicated temporary HVAC hire division of Daikin Applied UK, has expanded its UK rental fleet with additional cooling, heating, and air handling equipment, responding to growing demand for temporary HVAC systems. The investment reflects pressure on organisations to maintain operations while managing ageing infrastructure, higher temperatures, regulatory requirements, and the shift towards lower-carbon energy. The company has increased its range of high-capacity cooling systems, process cooling equipment, and heat pumps, alongside introducing UK-manufactured air handling units. Broader HVAC capability for UK industries Demand for temporary HVAC continues to rise across sectors such as data centres, healthcare, and manufacturing, where system downtime can have operational consequences. To support this, Daikin has added higher-capacity chiller units and an expanded range of heat pumps, offering scalable cooling and heating for larger or more complex environments. Additional dry air coolers have also been introduced to support process cooling requirements, including systems designed to improve energy performance under suitable conditions. The company has also expanded its airside equipment with a new range of air handling units manufactured in the UK. Produced at Daikin Applied UK’s facility in Cramlington, the units are designed for rental use, with a focus on ease of installation and suitability for environments such as cleanrooms and healthcare settings. Mike England, UK Rental Sales Manager at Daikin Applied UK, says, "In many of the sectors we support, downtime simply isn’t an option. Customers need solutions that are not only available quickly, but that perform reliably and integrate seamlessly into their existing systems." The company states that manufacturing air handling units within the UK is intended to improve equipment availability and reduce lead times, while maintaining consistent engineering standards across its rental fleet. Digital monitoring and control features are available on selected systems, supporting maintenance and operational oversight where required. For more from Daikin, click here.