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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.

Deep Green partners with Zendo on renewable data centres

British digital infrastructure company Deep Green has partnered with Zendo Energy, a London-based startup building an AI-powered energy management platform, to support a "new generation" of AI-ready data centres powered by renewable energy and energy management technology. The partnership begins at Deep Green’s 400kW site in Urmston, Greater Manchester, where Zendo has secured a renewable energy supply contract for the facility. Designed for high-performance computing and AI workloads, the Urmston site supports rack densities of up to 150kW. Waste heat generated by the servers is captured and reused to heat the swimming pool at Trafford Leisure Centre. According to Deep Green, the heat reuse system is expected to save the leisure centre around £80,000 annually while reducing carbon emissions. The company’s approach centres on deploying modular data centres close to facilities that can use recovered heat, including swimming pools, district heating networks, and public buildings. Renewable energy aiding modular data centre expansion Deep Green says demand for AI infrastructure continues to increase, while grid limitations and planning delays remain challenges for UK data centre developments. The company says its modular deployment model allows new capacity to be brought online more quickly than traditional developments. Through the partnership, Zendo will provide energy monitoring, forecasting, and capacity optimisation using its Energy OS platform. Renewable power for the Urmston facility, in particular, will be supplied by ENGIE. Hazel Lim, Chief Financial Officer at Deep Green, says, “Zendo has been a strong partner in shaping our power procurement strategy for our data centres. "We are excited to draw on their expertise to develop a highly efficient, cost-effective approach that maximises value for our colocation clients by fully capturing the advantages of heat reuse.” Drew Barrett, COO and co-founder of Zendo Energy, adds, “Deep Green has an ambitious vision to accelerate data centre deployments at pace, and we're proud to be the energy technology partner making sure energy is never the bottleneck. “The flexibility we've built into this contract is designed to grow alongside their trajectory, and we see this as a blueprint for what the next generation of data centres should look like: flexible, sustainable, and built for scale.” For more from Deep Green, click here.

IREN acquires Nostrum Group for European AI expansion

IREN, an Australian AI cloud infrastructure provider, has agreed to acquire Spanish data centre developer Nostrum Group as part of its expansion into the European AI infrastructure market. The deal adds around 490MW of secured grid-connected capacity in Spain, alongside an additional development pipeline, strengthening IREN’s AI cloud platform in Europe. Nostrum Group, formerly Ingenostrum, was founded in 2009 and has operated across renewable energy and digital infrastructure development. The company rebranded in 2025 as part of a strategy focused on data centre development, construction, and operations. IREN says Spain offers favourable conditions for large-scale AI data centre development due to renewable energy availability, connectivity, and regulatory support. Acquisition expands AI data centre capabilities The acquisition also brings Nostrum’s local development, engineering, construction, and operations teams into IREN’s business. Daniel Roberts, founder and Co-CEO of IREN, says, “This acquisition establishes a strategic platform in Europe for IREN. Nostrum adds high-quality sites, an experienced local team, and a leading position in an attractive market for AI infrastructure.” Guy Auger, Partner at Andera Partners, adds, “This divestment perfectly illustrates the thesis of Andera Smart Infra 1: supporting entrepreneurs in the acceleration phase of deploying their energy infrastructure assets. “By backing Nostrum Group’s strategic pivot towards renewable-powered data centres, we have helped build a first-tier player in one of Europe’s most dynamic markets.” Gabriel Nebreda, CEO of Nostrum Group, comments, “We are proud to join IREN to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence infrastructure in Europe. “The acquisition of Nostrum Group highlights the enormous potential of Spain as a Southern European digital hub, as well as our team’s ability to lead the emerging market for next-generation digital infrastructure.” Advisers to the transaction included Linklaters and EY for IREN, and BBVA, White & Case, Montero Aramburu and Gómez-Villares Atencia, and Piedmont Advisors for Andera Partners and Nostrum Group. For more from Nostrum Group, 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.

Gardner Engineering expands data centre security range

Gardner Engineering, a security products manufacturer, has launched a new range of products for data centres, digital infrastructure, and access control environments, as demand for physical resilience in AI and cloud infrastructure continues to grow. The Lancashire-based manufacturer produces precision-machined security mounts, components, and CCTV brackets, and says it is seeing increased demand linked to data infrastructure security. The latest additions include a 3U rack mount access control drawer, designed to house multiple control PCBs within standard 19-inch cabinets. According to the company, the unit is intended to improve cable management and simplify servicing through a sliding access design. Gardner Engineering has also introduced a 6U wall-mounted 19-inch rack enclosure for environments where floor space is limited. The enclosure is designed for the vertical installation of networking, surveillance, and access control hardware. New tools target infrastructure deployment challenges Alongside the hardware launches, Gardner Engineering is expanding its digital sales support with an online product selector and configurator. The tool is already available through the company’s website and is being developed as a white-label platform for distributors and partners. The configurator is intended to help users manage product selection and specification more efficiently, including options such as height, finish, mounting plates, and bespoke requirements. Matt Phillip, CEO of Gardner Engineering, comments, “As digital infrastructure expands, customers are looking for products that solve practical problems around space, organisation, security, and deployment. "Our focus is not just on launching more hardware; it is about making specification easier as well. The white-label configurator is an important step because it gives partners a practical tool they can place directly on their own websites, linked to the Gardner products they actually sell.” The wider Q2 2026 launch programme also includes a surface mount lock cassette kit for Assa Abloy EL160 and EL560 applications, an expanded access control and vehicle posts range, and integrated entrance control bases developed with ZKTeco. Gardner Engineering says the new products reflect growing demand for physical infrastructure that supports resilience, deployment efficiency, and channel integration.

nLighten appoints new CEO and CFO

European data centre operator nLighten has appointed Dame Dawn Childs as Chief Executive Officer and Matthew Harris as Chief Financial Officer, as demand for edge data centres increases across Europe. Dawn joins from Pure Data Centres Group, where she spent nearly five years, initially as Chief Operating Officer before becoming Chief Executive Officer in May 2023. She will continue as a non-executive director at Pure Data Centres during the transition. Prior to this, she led a multi-billion-pound transformation programme at National Grid, covering gas and electricity transmission. Earlier roles include Group Engineering Director at Merlin Entertainments, Head of Engineering at Gatwick Airport, and 23 years as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Air Force. Matthew brings more than 15 years’ experience across private equity-backed and listed businesses in digital infrastructure, technology, and investment. He joins from Kao Data, where he was a founding board member, investor director, and Chief Financial Officer from 2021. Before that, he was CFO at Goldacre Ventures, where he supported growth and secured more than £250 million in funding for portfolio companies. The appointments come as demand for distributed digital infrastructure grows, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and high-bandwidth applications. nLighten says it is continuing its expansion across European markets, including through acquisitions and investment in infrastructure. Nick Read, Chairman of nLighten, comments, "We are delighted to welcome Dawn and Matthew to nLighten. Dawn’s deep experience leading complex, mission-critical infrastructure businesses makes her exceptionally well suited to guide the company’s continued growth, while Matthew’s strong financial and strategic expertise will be invaluable as we scale the platform. "As AI drives unprecedented demand for digital infrastructure and edge capacity across Europe, nLighten is uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity. "I would also like to thank Harro Beusker for his leadership and the pivotal role he has played in building nLighten into the platform it is today. With such strong foundations in place, we are well positioned to continue delivering sustainable, high-performance data centre solutions for our customers." Expansion plans following rising edge infrastructure demand Dame Dawn Childs says, "I am thrilled to be joining the team at nLighten at such a pivotal time for both the company and the broader digital infrastructure sector. "The opportunity for nLighten to play a meaningful role in supporting Europe’s growing need for digital sovereignty is significant, particularly as demand for secure, high-performance, and sustainable infrastructure continues to accelerate.” Matthew Harris adds, "I am excited to join nLighten as it continues to build momentum across Europe. The company has a clear strategy and strong platform on which to build from. "I look forward to working with the team to support its continued expansion and deliver long-term value for customers and stakeholders." Harro Beusker, who co-founded nLighten in 2021 and has served as CEO since then, will remain on the board as a non-executive director. He will also act as a senior advisor to I Squared Capital. Since launching, nLighten has developed a European platform of 34 data centres across seven countries, with 22MW of capacity, through acquisitions, carve-outs, and brownfield developments. It says its carrier-neutral sites are located in established data centre markets and support deployments closer to end users and latency-sensitive applications. As AI adoption increases and power constraints affect established data centre hubs, organisations are placing greater focus on edge infrastructure to meet performance and capacity requirements. Dawn joined nLighten on 5 May 2026 and will assume the CEO role on 1 June 2026 following a transition period. Matthew will join as CFO on 1 July 2026. For more from nLighten, click here.

National Data Centre Day launches #BackToSchool campaign

National Data Centre Day (NDCD), an awareness initiative founded to recognise the critical role data centres play in powering the UK’s digital economy and AI ambitions, has officially launched its 2026 theme: #BackToSchool, placing a renewed focus on inspiring the next generation of digital talent to step into the industry. Established to help change the public perception of the data centre and digital infrastructure industries, National Data Centre Day continues its mission to champion the vital role of technology in everyday life. This initiative represents an opportunity for the industry to take measurable action to address three of the key challenges it faces: the skills shortage, education, and understanding. This year’s campaign is shifting the industry’s focus towards education and long-term engagement from an early stage. By engaging students at both primary and secondary school phases, NDCD hopes to inspire future talent to learn more about data centres and the infrastructure behind it. The campaign calls on data centre operators, developers, and technology providers across the UK to take an active role in engaging with schools and local communities, and calls on public and private sector educators to make data centres part of the curriculum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sN8ZzA0h5hAIdeas inspired by the campaign's promotional video (above) could include encouraging data centre operators to host student tours at their facilities and delivering educational sessions, providing critical insight into the infrastructure that powers the digital world. By encouraging data centre companies to provide hands-on learning opportunities, the initiative's promoters believe the industry can offer a new and more informed understanding of the sector and engage students at earlier stages of their education. The awareness day and campaign is supported by a growing coalition of industry organisations, including AVK, AtlasEdge, CUDO Compute, EfficiencyIT, Kao Data, and Schneider Electric, all of whom are committed to playing an active role in shaping the future workforce. Rory Flashman-Wells, co-founder of National Data Centre Day and Managing Director at Spa Communications, says, “This year’s National Data Centre Day is about turning talk into action. “The ‘Back to School’ campaign takes the conversation back to where education and understanding about technology takes place: the classroom. "By starting education at an earlier stage, we have an important opportunity to change the narrative of how data centres are understood and help a new generation recognise the technology that powers data in their lives.” Comments from campaign supporters Giuseppe Caltabiano, VP of Marketing at AVK, notes, “National Data Centre Day isn’t just about industry recognition; it’s about responsibility. On 12 September, we recommit to giving back by helping young people understand the vital role data centres play in everyday life, supporting education in classrooms and at home and showcasing how our industry is powering tomorrow's data.” Duncan White, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing at AtlasEdge, adds, “Data centres are the digital engine rooms of the UK’s future and, at AtlasEdge, we’re proud to be part of this critical community. “National Data Centre Day is a brilliant opportunity not only to celebrate the people behind this progress, but to inspire the next generation, shining a light on the infrastructure and innovation shaping Britain’s digital ambitions.” Lizzy McDowell, Director of Marketing at Kao Data, comments, “National Data Centre Day is a vital reminder of the crucial role data centres play in supporting the UK’s digital economy. “Through initiatives like Critical Careers, the Kao Academy, and NDCD, we’re committed to inspiring more young people and diverse talent to explore opportunities in the sector, ensuring the next generation can help shape the UK’s digital future.” Khristina Atwal, Strategic Communications Manager, Secure Power Europe at Schneider Electric, concludes, “From powering AI to supporting healthcare, data centres are the backbone of our digital world. "At Schneider Electric, we’re proud to support this campaign, celebrating the people driving innovation while helping to inspire and educate and build a more sustainable, connected future together.” The promoters of National Data Centre Day 2026 say it represents a key opportunity for the industry to take measurable action to engage and highlight the importance data centres have in powering everything from communication and streaming to AI and cloud computing. To learn more about this year’s theme and the awareness day itself, click here to visit the National Data Centre Day website. For more on National Data Centre Day, 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.