The Fiber Connectivity Challenge Behind AI at Scale
Data Center Dynamics, Saturday, August 29th, 2026
CommScope experts on how fiber infrastructure design determines AI deployment speed, resilience, and flexibility.
On a diagram an AI network is clean lines; on the data center floor it is tens of thousands of fibers that must reach the right GPU, work first time, and stay accessible.
CommScope's Ken Hall, Scott Eischens, and Rudy Musschebroeck break growth into scale-up within the rack, scale-out across the hall, and scale-across between buildings.
They argue for structured cabling and offsite integration and testing so cabinets arrive ready to click into place, since power and liquid cooling now crowd the rear of GPU cabinets.
Multiplane architectures, replaceable shuffle modules, and self-cleaning connectors address resilience, while co-packaged optics push fiber deeper inside switches. Sponsored content.