Data Centre Operations: Optimising Infrastructure for Performance and Reliability

'Agentic core networks shape 6G, unlocking new business'

At MWC Barcelona 26, Dr Wen Tong, Huawei Wireless CTO, delivered a keynote speech on 6G core network. He introduced Agentic Core Networks as the revolutionary 6G-orientated AI core network driven by agentic AI and explained that the architecture seamlessly integrates application creation with network customisation to deliver intent-as-a-service, empowering operators to explore new business models and drive growth in the 6G era. The agentic AI technology is rapidly redefining applications and services from human-centric to agent-centric. This transition is already fuelling an explosion in data traffic, with global token consumption surging by over 100 times in the past year and traffic from AI-training web crawlers increasing 21-fold. At the same time, AI agents have seen rapid adoption in enterprise scenarios, with 80% of Fortune 500 companies now integrating them into their operations. AI will be a pivotal enabler of 6G. From AI-enabled terminals to AI-powered wireless networks and AI core networks, the industry is exploring ways to integrate AI into end-to-end 6G systems to improve spectral and energy efficiency, as well as to establish a robust foundation for the rapid growth of AI applications. In this transformation, the role of the AI core network is particularly critical. It will align with the advancing trends in AI technologies, reshaping the 6G core network by incorporating agentic AI. This transformation will unlock new service models and monetisation avenues, as well as expanding business opportunities for operators. The introduction of Agentic Core Networks Agentic Core Networks architecture brings a fundamental shift to service processes. Traditionally, all operations were carried out based on predefined procedures. However, the AI core network utilises Agentic NAS to proactively detect user needs, predict user intent ahead of OTT applications, and autonomously generate, execute, and continuously optimise personalised services through multi-agent collaboration. This transition enables fully automated operations, reduces TCO, ensures a superior user experience, shifting from fixed connections to intent-driven services. Agentic Core Networks will become integrated platforms of network functions, operator services, and third-party tools. This architecture enables service applications to be dynamically onboarded and iterated like plug-ins, cutting service rollout time from weeks down to minutes. More than a technological advancement, this marks a strategic shift in operators' business models: from providing connectivity to delivering intelligent services, from passively meeting user needs to proactively enabling service scenarios, and from relatively closed network systems to open ecosystems. Closed-loop capabilities spanning intent recognition, AI-driven generation, and ecosystem monetisation will be essential for operators seeking to capture value in the 6G era. Agentic Core Networks capabilities will allow 6G to deliver precise services in high-value scenarios. For example, in dynamic hotspots such as stadiums or disaster recovery sites, 6G can be deployed on demand and reclaimed once the need subsides. In the short term, high-value applications - like autonomous taxi dispatch or remote assistance by humanoid robots and AI-driven orchestration - will unlock new business opportunities. Ultimately, it will help 6G strike the optimal balance between deployment costs and business value. In his address, Wen concluded that the strategic priorities of Agentic Core Networks are becoming increasingly clear. He called for accelerating exploration in the 5G-A era to build a solid connectivity foundation for AI terminals and applications, powered by multi-dimensional network capabilities. This, he noted, represents the first step for the evolution of the entire industry ecosystem. Looking ahead, Wen emphasised that with the advancement of 6G standards and technologies, Agentic Core Networks will enable collaboration between terminals and networks, foster scenario-specific applications, and cultivate a robust industry chain ecosystem. These efforts, he added, will infuse the entire mobile industry with new vitality and unlock new growth opportunities. MWC Barcelona 2026 was held between 2–5 March in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei showcased its latest products and solutions at Stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast, and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei says it is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to unleash the full potential of 5G-A and pave the way for the evolution to 6G. It adds that it is also creating AI-Centric Network solutions to enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs), speeding up the large-scale deployment of level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4), and using AI to upgrade its core business. Together with other industry players, it says it will create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future. For more information, you can visit Huawei’s website by clicking here. For more from Huawei, click here.

Huawei: Accelerating towards the agentic internet era

At MWC Barcelona 2026, Li Peng, Huawei's Senior Vice President and President of ICT Sales & Service, delivered a keynote on how carriers can maximise the value of 5G-A and AI to accelerate towards the agentic internet era. Li proposed that, as networks converge with AI, carriers have the opportunity to redefine the value of connectivity by upgrading to "5G-A x AI". He says this will allow them to not only monetise traffic and experience, but also AI services. Leap in industry value: Entering a 10-trillion-dollar agentic internet era Over the past few years, the mobile industry has steadily evolved from 4G to 5G, and some carriers have begun deploying 5G-A. As networks are stronger than ever, they are bringing intelligent applications to all kinds of devices. Li said, "This year, we're entering the agentic internet era. Networks will not only connect people; they will also connect hundreds of billions of agents." The rise of agent applications over the next decade, however, will increase connectivity demands, as networks will not simply facilitate human communication but also communication between agents. This will drive carriers to shift from offering traffic to offering high-value services and open up a new market worth $10 trillion (£7.4 trillion). Business model upgrade: Elevating brands and offerings to unlock new revenue streams The evolution of network capabilities will also result in changes to carrier business models. In the seven years since the commercialisation of 5G, more than 300 carriers around the world have launched new packages to monetise traffic, and this has helped them grow both their revenue and user-base. As 5G networks continue to mature, experience monetisation will be more essential to carriers' success. 5G SA and 5G-A provide more diverse network resources that more than 30 leading carriers have used to launch experience-based packages to monetise speeds, latency, and more. By dynamically scheduling resources, carriers can go beyond "best-effort" service to deterministic experience. This helps them strengthen brand reputation and users' willingness to spend on premium services. By offering services like custom logo displays and multi-level speed boosts, carriers are able to guarantee network performance at critical moments and enhance users' perception of network quality. Connectivity and AI service convergence: Unleashing new growth potential with AI-powered consumer, home, and enterprise services Li also explained how carriers will be able to transform their main services and improve consumer satisfaction by applying AI models: ● AI for consumers: First, AI can be integrated into traditional calling services. There are currently 5.4 billion calling service users around the world, and AI can be used to unlock features like transcription, translation, and AI assistants. Many of these features have already entered large-scale commercial use in China and South Korea. In addition, more and more carriers are launching AI phones to act as portals for the agentic era. They are using these phones to upgrade their B2C services - the largest source of revenue for most carriers. ● AI for homes: In addition to the recent initiatives by carriers to upgrade home broadband towards ultra-gigabit, AI is also being implemented to enable smart home services. For example, acceleration assistants can guarantee deterministic speeds for key services like gaming and livestreaming. Network assistants can help people optimise their Wi-Fi and resolve network faults via voice commands. AI lifestyle assistants are also a promising avenue for carriers looking to unlock new value from traditional services. By integrating AI with video and storage services, they do things like automatically generating cloud-based family albums that can be shared between devices. ● AI for business: In industrial scenarios, the convergence of 5G-A and AI can be used to transform core workflows and significantly improve production efficiency. For example, in flexible manufacturing, AI-enabled factories will be able to respond to demand in seconds, schedule new production runs in minutes, and deliver new products in hours. New vision: Helping carriers upgrade their portfolio with AI services "Looking ahead, there are still many opportunities just waiting to be unlocked with 5G-A and AI, and carriers are in the best position to explore future applications like massive IoT and embodied AI," said Li at the event. He also recommended three courses of action for carriers to seize these opportunities: First, carriers should evolve all services, devices, and frequency bands to 5G-A to create a thriving network ecosystem. Second, carriers should introduce AI into B.O.M. (business, operations, management) domains; this will provide a foundation for diversified O&M services. Third, carriers should bring intelligence to infrastructure to support the evolution of future network architecture. "Huawei is ready to work closely with carriers to make the most of 5G-A and AI and help them evolve into AI service providers," concluded Li. "We can work with carriers to upgrade their main services through the multi-agent collaboration platform. We can also help them build AI-centric networks for more efficient operations. Together, we can unlock a world of new opportunities and lay a strong foundation for future networks." MWC Barcelona 2026 was held between 2–5 March in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei showcased its latest products and solutions at Stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast, and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei says it is actively working with carriers and partners around the world to unleash the full potential of 5G-A and pave the way for the evolution to 6G. It adds that it is also creating AI-Centric Network solutions to enable intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs), speeding up the large-scale deployment of level-4 autonomous networks (AN L4), and using AI to upgrade its core business. Together with other industry players, it says it will create leading value-driven networks and AI computing backbones for a fully intelligent future. For more information, you can visit Huawei's website by clicking here. For more from Huawei, click here.

AirTrunk secures $1.2bn Tokyo data centre loan

Australian data centre operator AirTrunk has secured a ¥191.6 billion ($1.24 billion; £903 million) green loan to refinance and expand its TOK1 hyperscale data centre campus in East Tokyo, Japan. The financing is reportedly the largest data centre loan completed in Japan to date and will support further development of the campus as demand for cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure grows. The loan, structured under AirTrunk’s Green Financing Framework, will refinance existing facilities and fund new development phases at the TOK1 site. The campus is designed to scale to more than 300MW of capacity. The company also says it has recently started construction to add more than 100MW of IT load to meet near-term customer demand. The financing was led by SMBC, MUFG, Crédit Agricole CIB, and Société Générale as global coordinators. A total of 12 banks participated as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners. Expansion of hyperscale infrastructure in Japan AirTrunk says the financing forms part of its wider investment in Japan’s digital infrastructure. Most notably, the operator recently announced OSK2, its second hyperscale data centre in Osaka, alongside the establishment of a new headquarters in Japan. At full build-out, AirTrunk’s four campuses in Japan - TOK1, TOK2, OSK1, and OSK2 - are expected to deliver around 530MW of capacity to support cloud and AI workloads. Robin Khuda, founder and CEO of AirTrunk, comments, “Japan is one of the world’s most important cloud and AI markets, and we’re committed to building the digital infrastructure that enables its long-term growth. "AirTrunk has been investing deeply in Japan for this reason: to build the hyperscale platform that will underpin the country’s digital future and connect it to the broader region. "This landmark financing enables us to accelerate the expansion of TOK1 and continue delivering the capacity our customers need today, while preparing Japan for the extraordinary compute demands ahead.” Masato Hori, Associate Vice President Treasury Japan at AirTrunk, adds, “This is the largest data centre financing ever completed in Japan and a testament to the deep collaboration between AirTrunk and our banking partners. We’re especially grateful for the strong support from Japan’s leading financial institutions including SMBC, MUFG, Chiba Bank and Mizuho Bank. "The structure of the facility reflects our commitment to transparency, sustainability, and innovation in capital markets, and further strengthens AirTrunk’s financing platform across the region.” The financing also includes margin incentives that will be directed to the AirTrunk Social Impact Fund, supporting community initiatives in Japan including STEM education, digital inclusion, biodiversity, and disaster relief. For more from AirTrunk, click here.

Huawei showcases industrial intelligence at MWC 2026

During MWC Barcelona 2026, Chinese multinational technology company Huawei released 115 industrial intelligence showcases, together with its customers, during Industrial Digital and Intelligent Transformation Summit 2026. The summit, titled 'Advancing Industrial All Intelligence', was held by Huawei to explore new practices in industrial intelligence with its customers, partners, and peers. The company also announced the launch of upgrades to its SHAPE 2.0 partner framework. In addition, Huawei showcased 22 new industrial intelligence solutions with partners for the electric power, manufacturing and retail, finance, transportation, oil and gas, ISP, media, public service, and smart city sectors. Huawei proposed the ACT Pathway: A replicable intelligence framework AI technologies have advanced rapidly over the last year, with reasoning models and agentic workflows both maturing and physical AI beginning to truly take off. This has allowed AI tools to begin entering core production scenarios and helped applications move from pilots to large-scale use. AI agents can now better understand and interact with the physical world, being capable of making decisions independently. With this in mind, Huawei has introduced the ACT Pathway, which has been developed during its collaboration with global customers over the past few years. Three key steps specified in the ACT framework were mandatory for achieving comprehensive industrial intelligence: The first step is “assessing high-value scenarios”. So far, Huawei has helped customers identify over 1,000 core production scenarios where AI can play a big role. The second step is “calibrating AI models with high-quality vertical data”. Huawei has built a six-layer AI security framework to ensure every stage of the AI lifecycle is secure and trustworthy. The third step is “transforming business operations with AI talent”. Talent that understands both industry and AI are needed. Huawei does this by focusing on four areas, including hands-on practice programs, CANN open-source communities, vertical industry communities on Huawei Cloud, and ICT Academies. Huawei worked with customers to release global industrial intelligence showcases During the summit, a number of Huawei’s customers joined on stage to help launch 115 global showcases for industrial intelligence, including executives from Eskom, Shandong Port Group, Converge ICT, HM Hospitales, and PetroChina (Beijing)’s Digital Intelligent Research Institute, CNPC, providing reference for organisations of various sectors to embark on their journey towards intelligence. MWC Barcelona 2026 is being held from 2 March to 5 March in Barcelona, Spain. During the event, Huawei is showcasing its latest products and solutions at Stand 1H50 in Fira Gran Via Hall 1. For more information, click here to visit Huawei’s website. For more from Huawei, click here.

Nokia, Telefónica to expand edge networking in Spain

Finnish telecommunications company Nokia has been selected by Telefónica, a Spanish multinational telecommunications company, to deploy networking technology across 17 new edge data centre nodes in Spain. The rollout forms part of Telefónica’s expansion of distributed edge infrastructure, supporting AI, B2B, and telco cloud services for residential, enterprise, and public sector users. Nokia will provide connectivity for compute and storage within each edge facility, as well as links between the sites and external networks. The infrastructure is designed to support AI training and inferencing closer to end users, alongside digital services in healthcare, education, industry, and government. Under the multi-year agreement, Nokia has exclusive responsibility for networking across the 17 nodes. 12 have already been deployed, including at Telefónica’s Tecno-Alcalá site. Multi-year agreement covers 17 edge nodes The latest phase follows a pilot deployment of three edge data centres in 2024. Nokia now acts as sole networking technology partner for the programme, with the companies stating that a single-vendor approach is intended to simplify operations and standardise architecture. Sergio Sánchez, CTIO at Telefónica España, comments, “This initiative fully aligns with our strategy to make edge cloud and artificial intelligence main cornerstones of Telefónica’s growth. "Nokia has proven to be a trusted connectivity partner in this mission, and they are playing a critical role in building secure, reliable data centre networks for our ambitious edge node project. "Through this effort, we are not only enhancing our digital infrastructure but also reinforcing Spain’s technological sovereignty and enabling a more dynamic, user-centric digital ecosystem.” David Heard, President, Network Infrastructure at Nokia, adds, “We are proud to collaborate with Telefónica for this landmark project that supports our customer’s shift to a nationwide distributed edge architecture. "This win underscores our long-term strategic relationship and Nokia’s leadership in building AI-ready, high-performance data centre networking solutions. Together, we’re creating the foundation for Spain’s digital future, bringing intelligence and services closer to where people and businesses need them most.” For more from Nokia, click here.

Vertiv launches AI predictive maintenance service

Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure, has launched a new AI-powered predictive maintenance service, Vertiv Next Predict, aimed at modern data centres and facilities supporting AI workloads, including AI factories. The managed service is designed to move maintenance away from time-based and reactive models, using data analysis to identify potential issues before they affect operations. Vertiv says the service supports power, cooling, and IT systems with the aim of improving visibility and supporting more consistent infrastructure performance. The company notes that, as AI workloads increase compute intensity, data centre operators are under pressure to maintain uptime and performance across increasingly complex environments. In this respect, predictive maintenance and advanced analytics are positioned as a way to support more informed operational decisions. Ryan Jarvis, Vice President of the Global Services Business Unit at Vertiv, says, “Data centre operators need innovative technologies to stay ahead of potential risks as compute intensity rises and infrastructures evolve. “Vertiv Next Predict helps data centres unlock uptime, shifting maintenance from traditional calendar-based routines to a proactive, data-driven strategy. We move from assumptions to informed decisions by continuously monitoring equipment condition and enabling risk mitigation before potential impacts to operations.” AI-based monitoring and anomaly detection Vertiv Next Predict uses AI-based anomaly detection to analyse operating conditions and identify deviations from expected behaviour at an early stage. A predictive algorithm then assesses potential operational impact to determine risk and prioritise responses. The service also includes root cause analysis to help isolate contributing factors, supporting more targeted resolution. Based on system data and site context, prescriptive actions are defined and carried through to execution, with corrective measures carried out by Vertiv Services personnel. According to Vertiv, this approach is intended to support earlier intervention and reduce the likelihood of unplanned outages by addressing issues before they escalate. The service currently supports a range of Vertiv power and cooling platforms, including battery energy storage systems (BESS) and liquid cooling components. Vertiv says the platform is designed to expand over time to support additional technologies as data centre infrastructure evolves. Vertiv Next Predict is intended to integrate as part of a broader grid-to-chip service architecture, with the aim of supporting long-term scalability and alignment with future data centre technologies. For more from Vertiv, click here.

McCarthy tops out NV12 project at Vantage’s campus

General contractor McCarthy Building Companies recently completed the topping out milestone for hyperscale data centre provider Vantage Data Centers’ second of four planned data centres on its NV1 Campus, located outside of Reno in Storey County, Nevada, USA. With representatives from Storey County and Vantage leadership in attendance, the project marked major progress on the NV12 facility, the second 64-megawatt (MW) data centre on the campus. Phase I of the campus provides hyperscalers and large cloud providers with 128 MW of combined critical IT capacity across its NV11 and NV12 facilities. The campus has reportedly created more than 1,200 local construction jobs and generated local economic impact. McCarthy notes that, just recently, the campus reached more than 1.1 million labour hours on site since breaking ground in May 2024, with zero lost-time incidents through what it describes as a "campus-wide commitment to safe construction practices and innovative methods." Austin Osborne, Storey County Manager, explains, “Vantage Data Centers, our developer partners; McCarthy Building Companies, the general contractor on site; and the Storey County team - from Community Development and Planning to Business Development and the Fire Protection District - have worked closely to move this project forward. "It’s a strong example of effective collaboration, and we’re grateful for the long-term opportunities this project will continue to bring to our community.” The 260,000ft² (24,155m²), two-storey NV12 facility utilises liquid-to-liquid cooling, similar to NV11, that operates on a closed loop chilled water system to properly cool the systems while requiring only an initial fill. This more sustainable design is common across Vantage’s data centres, with the company noting it represents its "commitment to sustainable operations and long-term reliability." Continued construction during ongoing operation Jared Carlson, Senior Vice President at McCarthy Building Companies, comments, “This project has demonstrated an incredible commitment to sustainability, safe construction, and operations, and has created a strong sense of community within Storey County. "Vantage and our design-build partners have been instrumental in creating a campus that will provide significant economic impact to the region and will continue to sustain technological growth in the years to come.” Following turnover of NV11, NV12 will begin to turn over phased portions of the facility beginning in December 2027, allowing customers to begin operations prior to final completion in early 2029. As construction progress continues, McCarthy will be piloting the use of an HP Robot to map out the layout of NV12’s walls, blockouts, and backing. Following the robot’s success on some of McCarthy's healthcare projects, the team will use the robot to layout all elements on the concrete slab, based on the existing Building Information Model (BIM) layout. This method allows for greater efficiency and precision as the facility’s core components have already been digitally modelled to the site’s conditions.Both NV11 and NV12 are being constructed by McCarthy in a design-build effort with Corgan, serving as the campus architect. Key design-build trade partners include: Amfabsteel, Chavez-Grieves, Rosendin Electric, Apollo Mechanical Contractors, Salas O’Brien, Integrated Fire and Security Solutions, Cosco Fire Protection, and Wood Rogers. For more from Vantage, click here.

Report: How Slough became Europe's largest DC cluster

Kao Data, a developer and operator of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, has published a new report examining how Slough has evolved into Europe’s largest data centre cluster - and the UK’s de facto AI Growth Zone (AIGZ) - hosting over 675 Megawatts (MW) of hyperscale data centre capacity, while contributing more than 14,000 jobs and over £30 million in annual business rates to the local economy. The new report, ‘The Quiet Revolution: How Data Centres Remade Slough and Secured the UK’s Digital Future’, was released just as the UK marks 12 months since the inception of the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, which proposed the creation of AIGZs to accelerate infrastructure deployments in support of the country’s AI and economic ambitions. Kao Data’s new report, produced with support from Carbon3IT and Parisi, demonstrates that such a growth zone already exists in Slough, operating at around 1GW of capacity and providing a proven blueprint for regional, economic growth. Further, it highlights the positive contribution that data centres - often incorrectly maligned as an industry which creates minimal jobs and economic impact - can have on a local community. For example, the report reveals that data centres replaced declining manufacturing employment in the Slough region on a near one-to-one basis, and created approximately 8,000 construction jobs between 2010 and 2025, alongside hundreds of permanently skilled operational roles. Other key findings • Slough hosts more than 30 operational data centres with around 1GW of total capacity, including 675MW of hyperscale facilities serving UK availability zones. • The cluster supports approximately 14,000 jobs across direct, indirect, and induced employment. • Data centre operators contribute over £30 million per year in local business rates. • 95% of Slough’s data centre electricity demand is backed by 100% renewable procurement. • The Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) framework generated £18 million in council revenues between 2014 and 2024. • Nearly 2.7 million people with engineering, construction, and telecommunications experience live within one hour of the Slough Trading Estate. Spencer Lamb, MD & Chief Commercial Officer at Kao Data, explains, “Slough shows, in very real terms, what happens when infrastructure is developed with planning certainty, energy availability, and a skilled workforce, and our new report demonstrates that data centres have delivered long-term job creation, significant tax revenues, and a resilient foundation for the UK’s AI and digital economies. “We firmly believe that data centres are a force for good in this country, providing well-paid, varied, and future-proof employment, economic regeneration to post-industrial areas, and, through operator-led energy procurement, are helping transition the UK to a green economy.” With Slough and West London’s grid constraints well documented, the economic case for developing additional regional hubs in the UK has never been more urgent. Moreover, with data centres now designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), the report concludes that the UK must create additional clusters across the country to propel regional economic growth and provide security diversity. With Slough proving what's possible when the conditions and local governance are right, the task now is to build on that success deliberately, regionally, and at scale - starting with the UK’s AIGZs and existing city tech communities like Greater Manchester - so that Britain's AI and digital economies can be powerful and resilient. For more from Kao Data, click here.

Prism expands into the US market

Prism Power Group, a UK manufacturer of electrical switchgear and critical power systems for data centres, is looking to purchase a US business that already has UL Certification (for compliance, safety, and quality assurance regulations) and is reportedly raising $40 million (£29.8 million) for the acquisition. With surging data centre demand straining power infrastructure and outpacing domestic capacity, US developers are actively seeking trusted overseas suppliers to keep pace. Prism says it is well placed to take advantage of the current climate, having forged its reputation in mechanical and electrical infrastructure for modular data centre initiatives in the UK and across Europe since 2005. It adds that its engineers have executed a variety of end-to-end installations, from high-voltage substations and backup generators to low-voltage switchboards that safeguard servers, in "tightly scheduled" data centre projects. Expansion to meet ongoing supply strain Adhum Carter Wolde-Lule, Director at Prism Power Group, explains, “The scale and urgency is such that America’s data centre expansion has become an international endeavour, and we’re again able to punch well above our weight in providing the niche expertise that’s missing and will augment strained local supply chains on the ground, straight away. “Major power manufacturers in the United States are ramping up production, while global giants have announced new stateside factories for transformers and switchgear components, aiming to cut lead times and ease the backlog - but those investments will take years to bear fruit and that is time the US data centre market simply doesn’t have.” Keith Hall, CEO at Prism Power Group, adds, “For overseas engineering companies like us [...], the time is now and represents an exceptional opening into the world’s fastest-growing infrastructure market. "Equally, for the US sector, the willingness to look globally for critical power systems excellence will prove vital in keeping ambitious build-outs on schedule and preventing the data centre explosion from hitting a capacity wall.”

SITE delivers modular DC on remote Atlantic island

Secure I.T. Environments (SITE), a UK design and build company for modular, containerised, and micro data centres, has announced the completion of a complex, modular, containerised data centre for a global telecommunications provider on a remote South Atlantic island. The facility will support mission-critical ground operations connecting customers to next-generation satellite and subsea backbone services. Located 1,800km west of mainland Africa, the remote island offers an effective operating profile for satellite connectivity, but presented formidable barriers including rugged volcanic terrain with no pre-existing access road, minimal local infrastructure, limited sea freight windows, and a single weekly flight subject to weather. The brief demanded a resilient, high-capacity facility capable of continuous operation in a corrosive coastal climate, delivered with meticulous risk management and zero compromise on safety or performance. Overcoming challenging logistics One of the defining aspects of this project was the logistical coordination required not just across continents, but in partnership with the local community. The island’s small population meant that everyone from hotel owners to logistics workers became part of the project in some way. The project created local employment opportunities and, the company says, fostered a sense of community pride in supporting a high-tech project. Given the island's limited flight availability (one flight per week, weather permitting), all deliveries, personnel scheduling, and construction phases had to be meticulously timed. The team also had to navigate unpredictable weather, which could delay flights and shipping schedules. A spokesperson for the client outlines, “This was such a crucial project for us. We did a huge amount of work ensuring we picked an experienced data centre builder that could cope with the challenges. "SITE supported us throughout the design phase, adapted to meet our needs, and created a very detailed plan for delivery and installation, focused on minimising risks. We are very pleased with the outcome.” SITE’s bespoke solution Initial design discussions to final commissioning took 12 months and was completed on time. SITE designed, manufactured, pre-built, and factory-tested a multi-container modular facility - comprising a main data room, a separate UPS/switch room, and lobby space - engineered specifically for the island’s conditions, including specially adapted air conditioning condensers, protective coatings, and materials to withstand high salinity levels and ocean spray. The architecture integrates high-density IT racks with cold-aisle containment, N+1 energy-efficient cooling, modular N+1 UPS, custom switchgear, fire detection and suppression, security systems (CCTV, access control, intruder alarms), fibre raceways, and full electrical infrastructure. All modules underwent integrated systems testing (IST) in the UK to ensure seamless on-site assembly and performance alignment once deployed. Chris Wellfair, Projects Director at SITE, comments, “This was an extraordinary project in every sense: remote location, complex logistics, and high client expectations. "Our modular approach and close collaboration with clients ensured a smooth delivery despite the odds. It’s a project we’re incredibly proud of.” For more from SITE, click here.