Today’s intelligent buildings rely on smart technologies, real time data and seamless connectivity to operate efficiently and sustainably. As a result, network infrastructure is the backbone of modern design, with a wide range of building services relying on high performance connectivity to function as an integrated whole.

To minimise downtime, maximise reliability and ensure long-term adaptability, a cabling system must be resilient, scalable and standards compliant. As choosing the right configuration today is critical to protecting performance, reducing risk and future proofing for years to come, in this month’s Question Time we’ve asked a specially selected panel of industry experts to examine the key factors involved in specifying cabling for intelligent buildings.

We also take an in depth look at training and skills development, with two excellent articles on this subject. First up, Kalay Moodley of Kao Data argues that the UK’s ambition to become a global AI superpower will not be achieved through infrastructure and investment alone but will require a fundamental rethink of how talent for the data centre industry is developed. Kalay’s followed by our old friend Andrew Stevens of Traverse, who explains why human judgement, especially under pressure, remains critical in today’s digital infrastructure.

This issue also contains a special feature on fibre optic cabling standards. Ian Griffiths of Prysmian looks at why smaller diameter optical fibre matters and what it takes to get there, while Sitaramaiah Alamuri of STL - Sterlite Technologies examines TIA TSB-6000 and explains why it is so important for data centre design. They are joined by Lars Züllig of R&M, who explains why freedom of choice is vital when it comes to specifying singlemode optical fibre in building networks.

While traditional metrics such as PUE and annual renewable energy matching have long been used to demonstrate efficiency and sustainability, rising scrutiny and surging AI-driven energy demand are exposing their limitations. Francesco Marasco of nLighten highlights the growing need for hourly carbon measurement in the data centre industry.

Rob Shepherd 
Editor