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[TECHNOLOGY] · United Kingdom · 4 sources

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Europe fibre investment shifts toward AI and data centre demand

fibre infrastructure AI connectivity telecommunications optical networks data centre demand

The European telecommunications industry is shifting its focus from broad fibre expansion to targeted infrastructure investment driven by the rise of artificial intelligence and data centre demand. Neos Networks CEO Lee Myall suggests that the next investment cycle must move away from a “build it and they will come” approach, instead prioritizing high-capacity, deep infrastructure that meets specific, identifiable demand from the start.

Myall also emphasizes the need for “stitching” existing national and regional networks together to provide seamless, end-to-end services for customers, rather than focusing solely on increasing network ownership. This approach aims to solve challenges regarding capacity, location, and the complexity of managing multiple contracts across different providers.

A survey commissioned by Ciena corroborates this shift, finding that 90% of 1,200 surveyed telecom and fibre executives expect AI infrastructure connectivity to be a primary driver of revenue growth over the next three to five years. Additionally, 96% of respondents anticipate that managed optical fibre network services will generate revenue by connecting distributed AI clusters.

Entities

Censuswide · Ciena · Europe · Lee Myall · Neos Networks

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] Europe's next fibre investment cycle must be targeted toward identifiable demand rather than broad expansion. voip.review · www.mobileeurope.co.uk
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The industry should focus on stitching existing national and regional networks together to create coherent services. voip.review · www.mobileeurope.co.uk
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] 56% of surveyed executives identify AI connectivity as their primary source of net-new revenue. www.telecomtv.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] 96% of respondents expect managed optical fibre network services to generate revenue from connecting distributed AI clusters. www.telecomtv.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] 90% of surveyed telecom and fibre executives expect AI infrastructure connectivity to drive revenue growth over the next three to five years. www.telecomtv.com

Sources

UAE and Saudi service providers see AI network services driving new revenue growth [teletimesinternational.com]
Europe Fibre Targets AI Demand and Network Stitching [voip.review]
Neos Networks CEO: Europe’s next fibre cycle must be built around demand [www.mobileeurope.co.uk]
Telcos weigh up optical investments as AI connectivity opportunities emerge [www.telecomtv.com]