Investing in What’s Next for Control Network

This past month, Martin Electric continued its investment in professional development by sending Steve Rinkewich, CNC Project Executive / RCDD Certified Designer, and Ian Ippolito, Martin Electric Telecommunications Division Manager / RCDD Certified Designer, to the BICSI Winter Conference 2026 in Florida.

The conference brought together global leaders in information and communications technology (ICT) to focus less on where the market is headed, and more on how infrastructure is being designed, installed, and supported differently. For our low-voltage division, Control Network (CNC), the value was clear: practical insight that directly impacts how we plan, coordinate, and execute work in mission-critical environments.

Here are the key takeaways Steve and Ian brought back from the field:

Data Centers Are Doubling… Fast!

The U.S. is projected to double its data center footprint by 2030. The big question isn’t just where they’ll be built, it’s how they’ll be powered. Microgrids are emerging as a critical solution - delivering efficiency, resiliency, and control for energy-hungry facilities.

Multiple sessions and manufacturer conversations focused on:

• Higher-density cabling pathways to support AI and high-performance computing
• Increased use of prefabrication and modular infrastructure to compress schedules
• Earlier coordination between ICT, power, and cooling systems to avoid late-stage redesigns

For Control Network, this evolution plays directly to our strengths Our teams bring deep experience in data center design, high-density cabling, and cooling system redesigns, allowing us to support facilities that must be built faster, denser, and with far less margin for error.

AI Is Inevitable

The message was clear from both Steve and Ian: don’t ignore AI. At BICSI Winter 2026, the focus shifted from why AI matters to what it demands from installers. As AI workloads increase, facilities are seeing:

• Dramatically higher rack densities
• Increased demand for structured cabling, monitoring, and controls per square foot
• A growing need to integrate low-voltage systems with cooling and power infrastructure

Fiber Constraints Are Real and Measurable

One of the most consistent and actionable takeaways from the conference was fiber procurement risk. Steve and Ian consistently heard that:

• Raw fiber material lead times can reach 12 months, depending on cable type
• Data centers are consuming fiber at volumes that are shifting manufacturer priorities
• Other sectors may experience delays unless fiber is identified and procured early

This reinforces the importance of our emphasis on early planning and strong vendor relationships.

DC Power Is Gaining Momentum

Low-voltage DC power solutions were highlighted as a way to do more with less with systems utilizing as little as 16-gauge wire. Extended distances, improved safety, and efficiency gains make it a technology with huge potential across next-generation facilities.

Cooling Is the New Bottleneck

As computing density increases, the ability to remove heat efficiently is emerging as a system-level limitation.

One standout example from the show floor showcased an NVIDIA-backed AI cooling system pumping 450 gallons per minute to cool just 10 data racks. This is a clear illustration that power, cooling, and ICT infrastructure must now be planned together, not in isolation.

What This Means for Control Network

We know that AI and Data Centers are here to stay, that’s not new news, but there is an importance to understanding how these trends are changing installation practices.

These insights reinforce why Control Network approaches data center infrastructure as a complete, integrated system, not a collection of isolated scopes. With the expertise of Martin Electric and Control Network combined; spanning electrical systems, medium voltage, UPS and battery systems, fiber, testing and commissioning, and integrated cooling design, our teams are equipped to deliver smarter, more coordinated solutions.

This depth of knowledge positions Control Network ahead of the market and as a valued contributor to the future of ICT infrastructure.