Highlights from BICSI Winter 2026: The Impact of AI and Data Centers on Telecom Infrastructure

BICSI Winter 2026 is officially in the books, and this year, attendees were encouraged not only to focus on existing technologies but also to keep a watchful eye on emerging trends that could reshape our industry. 

One theme resonating throughout the conference was the growing influence of artificial intelligence. With data centers popping up across the country, AI was a focal point of discussions on how telecom infrastructure can be optimized. 

A key player in this space, Prysmian offers solutions that meet the needs of these data centers, including:

• FlexRibbon® technology: designed to maximize fiber density and duct space utilization, FlexRibbon fiber counts reach up to 6,912 in an incredibly compact design.
• GenSPEED® Micro Fiber cables: ideal for data centers, colocation, and central office facilities where a small-diameter, highly flexible cable is needed.
• Hollow-Core Fiber (HCF): developed in partnership with Relativity Networks, HCF transmits data nearly 50% faster than conventional fiber-optic cable. 

The theme of infrastructure optimization and data center readiness carried over into Prysmian and Panduit's joint booth at this year's BICSI event. 

Since 2004, Panduit and Prysmian have been part of the PanGen® alliance, pairing the innovation and expertise of two structured cabling industry leaders. The partnership remains as strong as ever, showcasing cutting-edge cabling solutions for customers across North America. 

Visitors to the booth could see these collaborative solutions in action, such as:

• PanGen Category 6A, 6, and 5e copper products: designed to provide an optimized cabling infrastructure that not only exceeds all electrical parameters but also empowers you with the versatility for the latest technologies.
• Fiber System Solutions: merging Panduit's fiber optic connectivity with Prysmian's GenSPEED fiber optic cabling to create a highly integrated and engineered solution.

As we move forward from BICSI Winter, it's clear that AI is driving demand for high-performance networks, and technologies from Prysmian and the PanGen alliance will play a critical role in redefining network infrastructure.