Our latest white paper finds AI boom is creating a new connectivity challenge for integrators

Our newest white paper reveals that the next big hurdle for integrators isn't compute power - it's the physical fibre, backhaul and supply chain infrastructure needed to keep up with AI.

Artificial intelligence may dominate headlines for its impact on energy and computing power, but new industry insights suggest the next major challenge facing integrators is increasingly physical: the infrastructure needed to support its growth.

This latest publication forms the second instalment in our white paper series exploring market shifts, fibre demand and the infrastructure strategies shaping the future of digital connectivity. Following our first paper, which examined the evolving fibre shortage landscape and mitigation strategies, this edition explores how accelerating AI adoption, data centre expansion and growing digital demand is placing increasing pressure on networks, fibre infrastructure and supply chains.

The white paper highlights several significant industry trends

• Global active data centre capacity is forecast to increase almost sixfold between 2025 and 2035 - rising from 24.4GW to 147.1GW (ABI Research)
• AI workloads could account for approximately 50% of total global data centre capacity by the end of the decade (JLL)
• Global mobile data traffic is forecast to more than double by 2031, reaching approximately 310 exabytes per month - rising to 482 exabytes when fixed wireless access traffic is included (Ericsson Mobility Report)
• Proposed AI-related data centre projects currently seeking UK grid connections could require around 50GW of electricity capacity, exceeding Great Britain's current peak demand

The paper explains how AI is increasingly becoming an infrastructure challenge as much as a technology one, with future growth dependent on fibre networks, optical connectivity, backhaul architecture and resilient supply chains capable of supporting rising demand.

"The AI boom is not just a computer story; it is a connectivity story."

The integrators best positioned to lead the next phase of digital infrastructure growth will be those capable of combining intelligent network design, resilient supply ecosystems, strategic collaboration and future-ready infrastructure planning into long-term operational advantage.

In the age of AI, connectivity infrastructure is no longer just enabling digital transformation; it is shaping the speed, scale and competitiveness of entire digital economies.

For us, this is where the opportunity becomes clear. As fibre, backhaul and interconnect architecture become increasingly strategic, providers will need partners who understand not only product availability, but network architecture, supply chain management and long-term deployment resilience.

Our Commercial Director, Andy Ainsley, said: "The industry is moving into a new era where network resilience and infrastructure readiness are becoming just as important as capacity itself. Organisations that invest in scalable connectivity and long-term infrastructure strategy today will be better positioned to support the demands of tomorrow's AI-driven economy."

Read the full white paper here.