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'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.

Reshaping data infrastructure to help carriers digitally transform

At MWC Barcelona 2026, Yuan Yuan, President of Huawei Data Storage Product Line, shared Chinese multinational technology company Huawei's key insights and innovations for enabling carriers to plan their data infrastructure, address challenges in AI adoption, and prepare for IT architecture transformation in the AI era. Data preparation for AI: From dormancy to awakening In the age of AI, data is an essential asset. Yuan noted that in the past two years, over 90% of enterprises actively embraced AI for business innovation, but fewer than 10% have successfully mastered and scaled AI technology. There are three primary challenges: persistent data silos that hinder data collaboration across regions and organisations; a lack of quality data supply, especially industry-specific knowledge; and inefficiencies in the data preparation phases like data collection, cleansing, and labelling. This results in AI applications falling short of commercial viability, raising doubts about the return on investment. Yuan predicts, "In the future, cold data will become a thing of the past. Data will shift from 'offline' to 'always online,' and retention policies will move from being compliance-driven to a principle of retaining and never deleting. Consequently, data volumes will expand from petabytes to exabytes, which will drive demand for greener, more efficient data infrastructure." Architectural transformation: From storing data to storing knowledge and memory As AI agents become the primary consumers of data, data infrastructure must evolve to embrace new data paradigms, including vector, graph, and key-value (KV) semantics. To eliminate AI hallucinations and enable continual AI evolution, data infrastructure must be capable of storing knowledge and memory. Yuan discussed Huawei's AI data platform, an innovative solution that integrates knowledge, memory, and inference acceleration services into a single storage system. This consolidated approach significantly reduces system complexity and O&M costs. The platform delivers a massive upgrade in performance. Inference efficiency (measured in tokens generated per second) is multiplied, while latency (time to first token) is reduced by 90%. Furthermore, the continual evolution of data, knowledge, and memory makes AI agents smarter over time. As Yuan explains, "In the future, every carrier will need its own AI data platform to help agents understand business processes, acquire domain-specific expertise, and iterate and upgrade rapidly. Otherwise, AI will remain nothing more than an expensive toy." AI adoption planning: From AI exploration to AI-driven service upgrades Although many carriers have made AI a strategic priority and are beginning to adopt it, significant challenges remain in real-world deployment: inference failure, inference costs, and inference speed. Yuan presented an intelligent computing service platform, jointly developed with a Chinese carrier, that tackles these challenges. The platform uses the KV cache technology to improve storage resource utilisation and supports inference applications of different large models like DeepSeek and Qwen. It optimises cost-effectiveness by innovatively eliminating repeated computing via querying. Through the collaboration of on-chip memory, DRAM, and AI storage, the platform enables PB-scale KV cache storage. This improves the overall throughput by more than 10 times, reduces inference costs by about 50%, and shortens response time to less than one second. In addition, algorithm optimisation addresses challenges like low KV cache hit ratios and inference failure due to long-sequence inputs in research report analysis. Serving as the foundation for AI, the platform has been deployed at scale at the group to enable multidimensional innovation across services, including internal IT systems, B2C services, B2B services, and B2H services. Yuan says, "Planning AI training and inference platforms requires more than focusing on computing power and models; deep collaboration between storage and compute is also essential to improve system-level efficiency and user experience." Yuan highlighted that AI is reshaping data infrastructure. In the AI era, storage systems will evolve into intelligent engines, which will not only store critical data assets, but also serve as the knowledge sources and memory carriers for the continuous evolution of AI agents. He called on carriers to prioritise accumulation and protection of quality data, and to plan and build a unified AI data platform that supports a wide range of large model applications while enabling service innovation for both internal operations and external offerings. Huawei says it will continue to advance technological innovation and architectural upgrades to help carriers digitally transform. For more from Huawei, 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.

Huawei launches enhanced AI-centric network solutions

Chinese multinational technology company Huawei released a series of all-scenario U6 GHz products at MWC Barcelona 2026 to help carriers unlock the full potential of 5G-A and set the stage for a seamless transition to 6G. The company also launched enhanced AI-centric network solutions that will help carriers prepare for the agentic era by enabling intelligent services, networks, and network elements (NEs). In addition, Huawei is showcasing its SuperPoD cluster for the first time outside China, which they have created to offer "a new option for the intelligent world". The theme of Huawei's booth for this year's conference is "Advancing All Intelligence", reflecting the company's plans to build more AI-centric networks and computing backbones that will help carriers and industry customers seize opportunities from the AI era. U6 GHz: Unlocking 5G-A potential for a smooth transition to 6G According to Huawei, the next five years will provide a window of opportunity to unleash the full potential of 5G-A. They plan to work with global carriers on the large-scale 5G-A deployment, use high uplink to address surging consumer and industry demand for mobile AI applications, and use the U6 GHz band to unlock the full value of spectrum and pave the way for smooth evolution to 6G. There are already 70 million 5G-A users globally and 5G-A is increasingly being adopted by carriers at scale. In China, Huawei has helped carriers deliver contiguous 5G-A coverage across 270 cities and launch 5G-A packages that monetise experience in over 30 provinces. The all-scenario U6 GHz products and solutions Huawei have released use innovative technologies to create a high-capacity, low-latency, optimal-experience backbone designed for mobile AI applications. Three-layer intelligence with AI-centric network: Seizing opportunities in the agentic era Following the trend to integrate AI directly into networks, Huawei is using AI to create AI-centric network solutions that will act as target networks for the agentic era. These solutions embed intelligence across three layers: • At the service layer — Huawei is helping carriers build multi-agent collaboration platforms, with specialised agents for calling, experience monetisation, and home broadband. These platforms will enable AI-driven transformation of carriers' core services like voice, internet access, and home broadband. • At the network layer — Phase one of Huawei's L4 Autonomous Driving Network (AND L4) solution primarily focuses on single-scenario automation, helping carriers drastically improve O&M efficiency, network quality, and monetisation capabilities. By the end of 2025, the company's single-scenario ADN solutions have been commercially deployed on more than 130 telecom networks worldwide. Moving forward, Huawei will continue to help carriers reshape operations with AI, going beyond single-scenario automation to support end-to-end single-domain network autonomy. • At the NE layer — Huawei works with carriers to accelerate innovation in areas like algorithm optimisation for RANs, intelligent and accurate service identification for WANs, and unified service intent for core networks that helps integrate B2C and B2H services. Innovations in these domains are already driving marked improvements in network energy and spectral efficiency, intelligent service awareness, and network resilience assurance. Computing backbone with SuperPoDs and clusters: A new option for the intelligent world In the computing space, Huawei is showcasing its computing cluster and SuperPoD products featuring new innovations in system-level architecture, including its UnifiedBus technology for SuperPoD interconnect, for the first time outside China. Key products on display will include the Atlas 950 SuperPoD for AI computing, the TaiShan 950 SuperPoD for general-purpose computing, the Atlas 850E SuperPoD, and the TaiShan 500 and TaiShan 200 servers. These offerings are Huawei's answer to demand for stronger compute and lower latency – two elements that are especially critical as trillion-parameter AI models become more commonplace and agentic AI is introduced into core production systems. These offerings also reflect Huawei's ongoing commitment to going fully open source and open access. The company is actively working with partners to build an open computing ecosystem and provide the world with another option for solid computing power. In the enterprise space, Huawei's focus at MWC is on helping different industries accelerate their intelligent transformation. Together with customers, partners, and representatives from different industries, Huawei will unveil a series of innovative practices that are helping different industries go intelligent on all fronts. The company will also share its new offerings in digital and intelligent infrastructure, and give updates on its latest efforts in partner ecosystem development. In total, Huawei will feature 115 industrial intelligence showcases for enterprise customers in different domains, its SHAPE 2.0 Partner Framework, and 22 new industrial intelligence solutions jointly developed with partners. In the consumer space, Huawei's theme for this year's MWC is "Now is Yours". The company is working to deliver an unparalleled intelligent experience for consumers in all scenarios and will showcase a range of new smartphones, wearables, tablets, PCs, and earphones that feature its latest breakthroughs in areas like foldable screens, health and fitness, mobile photography, productivity, and creativity. In 2026, Huawei will keep innovating to deliver competitive products with a superior experience, giving consumers greater freedom to discover and create in their own unique way. Huawei also announced that it had successfully surpassed the commitment it had made to help drive digital inclusion and combat the rapidly widening digital divide. By the end of 2025, Huawei had worked with customers to provide connectivity to 170 million people in remote areas across more than 80 countries, giving more people access to inclusive digital services. 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. The era of agentic networks is now approaching fast and the commercial adoption of 5G-A at scale is gaining speed. Huawei 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 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, click here to visit Huawei's website. For more from Huawei, click here.

Schneider to demonstrate power and cooling at DCW 2026

In this article for DCNN, Matthew Baynes, Vice President, Secure Power & Data Centres, UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, details how the company will demonstrate its integrated power, cooling, and digital capabilities at Data Centre World 2026: Building for AI at scale – are you ready? As the global competition for AI leadership intensifies, the UK is stepping up in its mission to become an ‘AI Maker’. As demand increases, so too does the need for the secure, scalable, and sustainable infrastructure to accommodate it. The UK ranks among the world’s top three data centre markets, and the industry sits at the core of the country’s AI ambitions, with the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan now designating data centres as critical national infrastructure (CNI). Data Centre World in London is the industry’s largest gathering of professionals and end-users. During the event, as the UK’s energy technology provider, Schneider Electric will explore how we can scale AI infrastructure. The impact of investment and AI Growth Zones As previously mentioned, with the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan being backed by investment from big tech, data centres are now considered as critical national infrastructure. This has opened the gates for large-scale innovation, investment, and opportunities. From Stargate UK to Google’s £5 billion commitment to AI infrastructure, announcements by major global technology companies have all strengthened the UK’s leadership position. Exploring the UK’s position in the data centre market, on 4 March at 11:05am, I will discuss the importance of scaling AI responsibly in the UK, prioritising energy efficiency and innovation in data centres. Liquid cooling: Meeting the challenge of density As rack densities soar to support AI workloads, the challenge is no longer whether to adopt liquid cooling, but how to deploy if effectively at scale. On 4 March, 12:05–13:15pm, Andrew Whitmore, Vice President of Sales at Motivair by Schneider Electric, will chair a panel discussion on tackling liquid cooling challenges in data centres, and will unpack the innovations, risks, and realities behind the technology. During the session, Andrew will be joined by Karl Harvard, Chief Commercial Officer at Nscale; Ian Francis, Global Design and Engineering SME at Digital Realty; and Petrina Steele, Business Development Senior Director at Equinix. How agentic AI transforms data centre services While AI is driving demand for data centre capacity, it is also transforming how these facilities are operated and maintained. On 5 March, 11:15–11:45am, Natasha Nelson, Chief Technology Officer at Schneider Electric’s Services business, will deliver a keynote exploring how agentic AI can transform data centre services at scale. During the session, Natasha will explore the transformative role of agentic AI and Augmented Operations in delivering highly skilled technical services – both remotely and on site – for electro-sensitive environments such as large-scale data centres. She will unpack how AI-powered decision-making and human expertise can create a new era of service excellence, where every intervention is smarter, faster, and more sustainable. Building resilient, end-to-end, AI-ready data centres At Stand D140, Schneider Electric will showcase its complete, end-to-end, AI-ready data centre portfolio, enabling scalable, resilient, and sustainable AI infrastructure. Our solutions cover: • Integrated power train — including Ringmaster AirSeT switchgear, Galaxy UPS, iLine busbar, and 800VDC sidecar • Hybrid cooling solutions — including Motivair by Schneider Electric’s liquid cooling and coolant distribution units (CDUs) • All-in-one modular infrastructure — AI POD (EcoStruxure Pod Data Centres) and Modular Data Centres • Lifecycle Services — to support compliant and optimised operations Our integrated power chain begins with the Ringmaster AirSet compact switchgear, directing high-voltage power and preventing overloads. The Galaxy UPS systems provide resilient backup, keeping AI servers running continuously. Inside facilities, the iLine busbar replaces cable complexity with overhead power bars, while the 800VDC sidecar delivers direct current to racks, avoiding conversion losses. Lifecycle services orchestrate this seamless system – from the Galaxy UPS enabling rapid repair to essential cabling controlling power safely. This de-risks expansion, ensures UK regulatory compliance, and delivers efficient, long-term AI infrastructure. Together, these solutions demonstrate a fully integrated, AI-ready architecture, showcased digitally and in physical format at the stand. Experts from Secure Power, Digital Energy, and Power Products divisions will also be present to explore how these technologies enable UK organisations to lead the AI race. Software and digital services Our DCIM software solutions and services safeguard AI operations through monitoring, optimisation, and digital modelling. These include: • EcoStruxure Data Centre Expert• AVEVA and ETAP Digital Twins• EcoStruxure Building Operation• Power Monitoring Expert The software pods demonstrate comprehensive digital solutions for monitoring, controlling, and optimising infrastructure. EcoStruxure Data Centre Expert provides real-time power and cooling visibility, while Aveva and ETAP Digital Twins enable simulation, design, and automation of critical systems. EcoStruxure Building Operation facilitates secure data exchange from third-party energy, HVAC, fire safety, and security systems. Power Monitoring Expert (PME) delivers electrical system insights for improved performance and sustainability, connecting smart devices across electrical systems and integrating with process controls for real-time monitoring. Join us at Stand D140 during Data Centre World in London to be part of the conversation on scaling sustainable, efficient, and resilient data centres together. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

Daikin to showcase data centre solutions at DCW 2026

Daikin, a Japanese manufacturer of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, will participate in Data Centre World London 2026, where it will exhibit at Stand B140. The company says it will use the event to demonstrate how advanced cooling technologies and specialist expertise can support the sustainable growth of Europe’s rapidly expanding data centre sector. Building on its strong market track record, Daikin Applied will showcase solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of colocation providers and hyperscalers. Visitors to the stand will be able to engage directly with Daikin’s data centre specialists and explore how the company supports projects from early design and engineering through to commissioning, operation and long-term service. Data Centre World London is a key meeting point for operators and suppliers seeking practical, future-proof approaches to balancing performance, reliability, and sustainability. Daikin’s presence underscores its commitment to helping customers meet rising capacity demands, tighter energy efficiency targets, and increasingly complex data centre designs. A trusted partner for mission-critical environments At the show, Daikin will present an overview of its data centre portfolio, covering cooling solutions for a wide range of applications and design philosophies. A key feature of the stand will be a mock-up of the new Pro-W Slim fan array unit, designed to deliver high efficiency, scalability, and operational flexibility. The unit supports modular design concepts and is optimised for reliability, ease of maintenance, and precise airflow control. The company will also showcase its new coolant distribution unit (CDU), designed to support liquid-cooled architectures and high-density applications. Alongside these innovations, Daikin’s portfolio includes air- and water-cooled chillers, heat pumps, air handling units, CRAH systems, and integrated control solutions. Combined with specialist engineering support and lifecycle services, the company delivers tailored, end-to-end cooling solutions for data centres of all sizes and complexity levels. For more from Daikin, click here.

How Elevate is redefining data centre infrastructure

It feels like yesterday that Elevate – Future Faster launched at Data Centre World 2025. Since then, the team have been working closely with operators, integrators, and partners to understand where white space designs struggle under pressure, namely: how density is increasing, how airflow and power must evolve, and how programmes need to accelerate without increasing operational risk. Now, as Elevate returns for year two at Data Centre World on Stand B180, it isn’t “new for the sake of new”; it’s a platform that closes the gap between what modern data centres demand and what infrastructure can realistically deliver – more density, more control, and more scale, without complexity creeping in through the back door. Elevate was built as an integrated ecosystem: fibre, racks, aisle containment, power, and security engineered to work together with clean installation, clear labelling, and predictable operation. In its second year, that ecosystem has expanded significantly, with wider choices for high density fibre, more robust airflow strategies, and smarter power and physical security options designed to make scaling easier. Addressing today’s data centre challenges Modern data centres face a familiar set of pressures: rising density, faster change cycles, and tighter operational guardrails. Elevate is designed to help teams keep pace. Densification is no longer optional. Port counts rise, but physical space doesn’t. Elevate’s high-density fibre solutions – VSFF, MPO, and modular ODF architectures – deliver more ports in the same rack unit space while maintaining front access, bend radius control, and clear labelling. The goal isn’t only to fit more, but to manage more. Thermal performance is another sticking point. As loads increase, improvised airflow tactics break down. Elevate’s hot and cold aisle containment is engineered to integrate properly with racks, cable pathways, and power routes. The result is stable airflow separation and higher cooling efficiency across mixed hardware environments. Power, too, needs to evolve. It is no longer enough to energise a rack; operators need visibility, telemetry, and control. Elevate’s high-density intelligent power provides meaningful insight – usage, load, switching – so day two operations become more predictable and less prone to surprises. Deployment speed matters as much as performance. To avoid delays and rework, Elevate prioritises pre-connectorised designs and engineered pathways. Pre-configured fibre assemblies and pre-populated ODF trays reduce on site variability, shorten install windows, and improve “first time right” outcomes. Moreover, as estates grow, clarity becomes critical. Structured labelling, clean patch presentation, and tray level guidance help maintain consistency long after the initial build and far beyond the day one installation. Fast, reliable availability rounds out the approach. Predictable supply chains and standardised configurations help teams maintain design intent and execute programmes without interruption. Advancing the Elevate Platform for 2026 This year, Elevate introduces a number of key additions designed to meet the demands of increasingly dense, increasingly dynamic data centres: 1. VSFF ultra high density pre-connectorised fibre optics deliver far higher port density within standard 1U and 2U panel formats, reducing splicing, test cycles, and deployment time. 2. Hot aisle containment supports facilities optimised around hot air capture and reuse, improving thermal stability as densities rise. 3. High density intelligent power adds the visibility and control required to balance loads, automate switching, and support safe change windows. 4. Intelligent rack locking delivers scalable, auditable access control. 5. High-density ODFs with pre-connectorised trays provide structured, repeatable patching fields with predictable routing and clear documentation. Alongside these additions, the DCR Rack Series, cold aisle containment, and MPO high-density, pre-connectorised solutions return with refinements that make dense builds easier to construct, cool, and maintain. These aren’t isolated features; they’re responses to real operator pressures, helping teams design once, scale confidently, and maintain operational clarity. Experience the Elevate platform at DCW London The most reliable way to evaluate infrastructure is to see the engineering up close. At DCW London, Stand B180, you can explore ODF trays, routing paths, containment interfaces, intelligent power options, and rack level access control, as well as discuss how Elevate can support your growth, densification, or refresh plans for 2026. And while you’re there, enter Elevate’s on-stand competition for a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods. For more from Elevate, click here.

AFL: Why data centre leaders are heading to Stand C110

AFL, a manufacturer of fibre optic cables and connectivity equipment, will be attending this year's Data Centre World in London, 4–5 March 2026, exhibiting on Stand C110. In this article, the company tells you about what you can expect: Your AI clusters are hungry for bandwidth. GPU-to-GPU latency is make or break, and you’re being asked to scale yesterday, all while maintaining uptime, managing density, and staying within budget. AFL understands. It has engineered solutions specifically for these problems. What you’ll experience at Stand C110: • Hands-on demos• Industry-first technology• Solutions for your biggest bottlenecks• Modular white space infrastructure you can deploy rapidly• AI-GPU connectivity optimised for ultra-low latency compute fabrics• High-density DCI solutions that maximise available space in cable ducts• Pre-terminated, plug-and-play modules with full traceability to help you deploy faster• Fujikura’s Multi-Core, Hollow-Core, and Mass-Fusion splicers in action – the precision tools that research labs and hyperscalers trust for next-generation fibre deployment• Small-form-factor assemblies – reduce diameter, increase density, maximise airflow and cable pathways• Test with confidence – advanced inspection tools that validate performance before the first packet flows Why AFL for hyperscale data centres? • Globally available — consistent supply chain, wherever you build• Proven reliability — supporting the world’s largest hyperscale networks• Modular and scalable — grow your infrastructure without forklift upgrades• Built for AI workloads — engineered for the bandwidth and latency demands of dense GPU clusters Who should visit the stand? • Network engineers deploying or upgrading DCI links• Data centre architects planning next-generation AI infrastructure• Infrastructure leaders evaluating fibre solutions for hyperscale growth• Operations teams seeking faster commissioning and maintenance workflows Ready to enhance hyperscale efficiency? Bring your toughest connectivity challenges to Stand C110 and see how AFL’s team is already solving the real-world problems you face with innovative solutions ready for immediate global deployment. Find out how its optical fibre experts can help you scale seamlessly across growing hyperscale deployments for AI and cloud. For more from AFL, click here.

ERIKS to showcase valves expertise at Data Centre World 2026

ERIKS UK & I, which has recently become a Rubix company, is exhibiting on Stand F6 at Data Centre World in London (4–5 March 2026), highlighting its experience in supporting designers and contractors working on increasingly complex cooling infrastructure. The company will showcase its valve expertise in data centre cooling applications, as AI-driven workloads place increasing demands on chilled water systems. The rapid adoption of AI workloads is reshaping data centre design, with higher rack densities and new cooling architectures placing greater strain on mechanical systems. Chilled water networks are now required to operate at higher flow rates, deliver tighter control, and perform reliably in more demanding operating conditions, increasing the importance of valve selection, consistency, and long-term performance. ERIKS supports data centre HVAC and chilled water applications with a broad portfolio of valve technologies covering the core functions commonly specified in cooling systems, including isolation, regulation, and protection. The offering spans a wide range of sizes, materials and actuation options, enabling engineers to standardise valve selection while accommodating differences in system design, environmental exposure, and future expansion plans. Meeting changing data centre design Jonny Herbert, Business Development Manager for Data Centres at ERIKS UK & I, says, “AI is accelerating the pace of change in data centre design, particularly on the cooling side. "While valves are often treated as commodity components, their role in controlling and protecting chilled water systems is critical. Our approach is shaped by years of experience in the data centre sector, prioritising robustness, material choice, and practical design.” ERIKS says it encourages earlier engagement on valve selection during the design and specification stages of data centre projects. Factors such as water quality, environmental exposure, coating requirements, and access for operation and maintenance can all influence long-term system reliability. Addressing these considerations upfront can help reduce the risk of premature failure, rework, or delays during installation. Jonny continues, “As data centre projects become larger, more complex, and more tightly integrated with digital infrastructure, Data Centre World has become an important meeting point for the engineers, consultants, and contractors shaping the next generation of facilities. Our presence reflects both the maturity of our involvement in the sector and the growing need for practical, experience-led support as cooling requirements continue to evolve.” Visit ERIKS UK & I on stand F6 at Data Centre World London (4–5 March 2026) to discuss valve requirements for data centre cooling and chilled water applications. Learn more, by visiting the company's website.