Run the Cables

Corning, Amphenol, and TE Connectivity form the structural backbone of this layer. Every data center needs two cable plants: fiber optic (for data) and copper (for power). The Optical Rewiring of AI trend drives fiber demand — the transition from 400G to 800G to 1.6T optics requires higher-grade fiber with tighter manufacturing tolerances and more connectors per rack.

Corning supplies the optical fiber and makes the glass preforms from which fiber is drawn. Their proprietary LEAF (Large Effective Area Fiber) and SMF-28 Ultra fiber products are industry standards. The AI demand isn't just more fiber — it's better fiber, with lower attenuation and higher bandwidth-distance products that command premium pricing.

Amphenol and TE Connectivity make the high-density optical and electrical connectors. As rack power density increases (800V trend), power cables get thicker and require higher-rated connectors. As optical speeds increase (Optical Rewiring trend), fiber connectors require tighter tolerances and more ports per panel. Both companies benefit from the density increase.

Belden handles the copper structured cabling and industrial connectivity. Vishay Intertechnology provides passive components (resistors, capacitors) used in power distribution boards. nVent Electric supplies the cable management and thermal management infrastructure.

The supply chain stretch work revealed that Prysmian (Italian, PRY.MI) is the world's largest cable company and appears in both the Optical Rewiring and Power Grid Reckoning trends — they make both fiber optic submarine cables and high-voltage power cables. Their cross-trend exposure makes them structurally interesting despite being a "boring" cable company.