Tech
The networks that will turn potential into profit in 2026 | Computer Weekly
Of all the technology topics covered by industry analysts, financiers and pundits over the course of 2025, perhaps the most interesting was that of the so-called artificial intelligence (AI) bubble. Very much a dog that didn’t bark over the past 12 months – just go ask Nvidia – those supposedly in the know ended the year more or less hedging their bets, predicting that something still “may likely” happen in the general IT space in 2026.
Yet in networking and telecoms, it can be said with some certainty that, in 2026, AI will be as indispensable as it has been for the recent past. And if 2025 was the year in which the potential of AI in networking was realised, 2026 will be a year in which networks will need to be constructed to turn this potential into profit.
As businesses and connectivity providers alike know only too well, soaring AI capacity means network infrastructure is constantly having to adapt to a multitude of external pressures and unprecedented strains.
In December 2025, IT and networking giant Cisco noted that with 22.4 billion internet of things (IoT) devices generating more than 90 zettabytes of data a year, the next 12 months will see organisations tap into the vast well of telemetry, machine, IoT and industrial IoT (IIoT) data. AI is absolutely fundamental in analysing and combining these sources of business intelligence.
Growth brings challenges
As a result, AI has fuelled an unprecedented surge in network demand, with the emergence and widespread adoption of agentic AI-enabled applications further reshaping infrastructure requirements, prompting a rapid evolution in networking solutions. Keeping pace with the next wave of AI growth will require new long-haul networks to enable the rapid scaling of capacity needs in both existing and emerging enterprise setups.
This next generation of networks will have to keep pace with AI, offering extended and greater overall network capacity and capability. Assessing in April 2025 how to solve these issues, leading research firm Omdia observed in a study, The all-photonics network enables the next-gen digital economy, that to drive the continued growth of the global AI economy, networks will need to evolve significantly to deliver enhanced capabilities.
The analyst said new, advanced optical networks were necessary to meet advanced application and service requirements, and address surging capacity needs within tight capital expenditure targets. This message will ring ever truer in 2026.
As well as supporting business agility to match bandwidth supply to service utilisation, the new advanced networks that will be deployed will need to offer the opportunity to have infrastructure with lower power consumption per bit to meet sustainability goals and reduce energy costs. And to display clearly the crushing need to address the challenge, the Omdia research calculated that when measured in gigawatts, total global datacentre capacity – what the analyst called the key enabling infrastructure for AI capabilities – is set to grow by 57% from 2024 to 2027.
Next-generation optical networks will almost certainly begin to emerge during 2026, build upon advances in core optics technology to offer improved system reach capabilities, cost optimisation, enhanced optical switching and improvements in multilayer and supplier management supported by the standards community. For enterprises in particular, such infrastructure will offer benefits such as greater security, agility and return on investment for their AI and cloud adoption.
But there could be some headwinds approaching businesses. Looking ahead to the new year, networking giant Cisco noted in December 2025 that the networking industry stood at an inflection point, with an emerging trend of AI infrastructure debt. That is to say, in the race to deploy AI, firms were deploying systems on top of ageing infrastructures that were never built for the demands of the current work environment.
Analysts and tech firms alike believe that 2026 will be defined by firms that modernise their fundamental network infrastructure, building what Cisco called “a resilient, AI-ready backbone to power a safer, faster, transformative future”.
The company also predicted that manufacturing, energy and logistics teams will increasingly use IIoT data to cut downtime and improve efficiency, marking the second phase of AI’s evolution. This shift, it said, would be powered by advances in specialised AI chips, TinyML, for ultra-efficient on-device inference, while federated learning trains models across distributed edge devices without centralising sensitive data. Cisco stressed that embedding security into the infrastructure would be essential to protect these workloads as they scale.
Another area of networking to keep an eye on will be quantum. 2025 saw a number of advances in the area, both in the software and hardware domains and it’s not unreasonable to expect a lot more of both this coming year. In the hardware space, recent work has revealed chips that enable quantum communication over existing fibre without specialised infrastructure. 2026 will also see more research into networks tapping into the behaviour of quantum particles, with commercialisation around 2030.
Advancing 5G networks
As regards the telecoms arena, for the UK at least, the key theme will be advancing the roll-out of 5G networks around the country, allowing businesses to tap into infrastructures that support more complex and richer business applications.
We’ll see operators increasingly switching off 3G networks and using their allocated frequency spectrum for 5G. There is a straightforward logic to this: 3G networks were simply not built to address the demands of the modern comms industry. They were constructed to support basic web browsing, not the high-bandwidth applications that modern businesses are based on, such as video collaboration.
2026 will see a UK mobile market where all of the major operators have switched off their 3G networks and will be offering enhanced mobile coverage across the country. Better mobile means better business. What will also be seen is an increased amount of coverage upgrades, not just in major towns and cities through more masts, but also along major roads and motorways and in coastal areas. Small cells will be installed in the busiest city centres and tourist destinations, and significant 4G and 5G network upgrades will be made at major sporting venues such as the Allianz Stadium and Wembley.
In the US and Asia, 5G Advanced networks will continue their roll-out, with firms really taking advantage of the technological benefits of the new infrastructure. Critically, 5G Advanced is the first mobile infrastructure to be purpose-built for AI. The gains will be readily apparent.
Looking further out, or, to be more accurate, upwards, 2026 will almost certainly see the continuation of the satellite communications industry. A key driver in the development of the market will be the significant increase in the number of handsets about to connect to satellite services.
In 2025, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and satellite connectivity moved very markedly from niche to mainstream, whether in rural broadband or direct-to-cell use cases. By the end of the year, there were nearly 200 publicly announced operator-satellite partnerships in almost 100 countries and territories, and of these, 34 operators have launched commercial services. This momentum will persist into 2026.
Of those leading the industry, Starlink gained the highest orbit, sealing 44 partnerships, followed by AST SpaceMobile and Lynk. The growth of the satellite IoT market will further solidify satellite’s role in the global connectivity landscape. New constellations providing wide IoT connectivity will be a key part of the satellite communications industry.
Overall, in the networking world, 2026 will be the year when the essence will move from what is possible to what can be unlocked. A year when business plans can become business realities and when coverage and capability go hand in hand. Networks of all forms will be constructed to turn potential into profit and take enterprises into new worlds.
If you’ve been following last year’s smart ring drama, you may have seen that the number of health-tracking rings you can buy has shrunk since October 21, 2025.
As we reported in August, the US International Trade Commission ruled in favor of Oura in a patent case in which Oura alleged that its competitors RingConn and Ultrahuman had infringed on the company’s patent for a smart ring that tracks health and fitness stats. Oura’s victory subsequently led to RingConn and Ultrahuman being banned from importing new rings into the US.
The lawsuit was bad news for both Oura competitors, and especially Ultrahuman, which had planned to expand its US-based manufacturing facility to meet growing market demand (and ostensibly to also get around the new US tariffs). Ultrahuman is distinguished from Oura in that its smart ring does not have a subscription; Oura users pay $6 per month to use its rings.
I caught up briefly with Ultrahuman’s chief business officer, Bhuvan Srinivasan, to clarify the company’s next steps to address the US market, and find out more about the latest smart ring squabbles.
Why Were the Rings Banned?
The ITC ruled that RingConn and Ultrahuman had infringed on the 178 patent, which protects a specific ring hardware design—for example, if the ring has a layered arrangement with internal and external components housing interior electrical components.
If you think this is a surprisingly broad description that can cover … well, pretty much any smart ring, or a wide range of electronic devices in general, you are correct. Over the past few years, many smart ring manufacturers have been embroiled in legal disputes over this patent.
This has panned out in a few different ways. In 2024, Oura announced that it had reached a multi-year licensing agreement with Circular, the French smart ring manufacturer, that would allow Circular to continue selling new rings in the US. (This move looks a little less generous when you consider that my two-week testing period of the Circular Ring 2 was plagued with server and connection issues.)
Also in 2024, Samsung attempted to preemptively sue Oura against future patent infringement claims in a case which a judge dismissed. Samsung’s concerns were not unwarranted. In late 2025, Oura then filed another complaint against Samsung (the Galaxy Ring), Reebok (the Reebok smart ring), Zepp Health (Amazfit ring), and Nexxbase (the Luna Ring). Oura then reached a licensing agreement with RingConn and another competitor, Omate, that would allow the company to continue selling rings in the United States.
When Joseph Pilates developed what he first called Contrology in the early 20th century, there were no dedicated studios or intimidating contraptions. There wasn’t even a reformer yet. (That came later, improvised from leather straps and hospital bed frames.) The idea was simple then, and it still is now: Pilates asks you to work with what you already have. Your body does the work, and a mat just makes it more comfortable.
Pilates is about moving with intention. Total body exercises are rooted in precision and balance, favoring slow, controlled movements over momentum or strength. Full range of motion, emphasizing time under tension, deep core engagement, and uniformity of mind, body, and spirit are emphasized. It sounds peaceful, but it’s not exactly the easiest workout.
The right gear won’t do the workout for you, but it can make it more comfortable, more effective, and frankly, more fun. Below, we’ve gathered the best Pilates equipment worth having for home workouts, whether you’re a beginner or deep in your Pilates princess era. For more wellness recommendations, check out our other guides, including the Best Protein Powders, Best Massage Guns, and Yoga Mats, Props, and Everything Else You Need for Your Practice.
Featured In This Guide
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Pilates Clothes
Nothing motivates me to work out quite like a great Pilates outfit. You can technically wear just about anything, but I would stick to more fitted activewear, so your Pilates instructor can check your form. Avoid loose or oversized clothing, and prioritize stretchy fabrics that won’t restrict movement. This lineup of athleisure has been tried and tested in Pilates; they move well, feel comfortable, and hold up every session.
If you buy one thing, make it grippy socks. Whether you’re on a mat or a reformer machine, those rubberized soles help prevent slipping and sliding, giving you better traction and stability during movements. A good pair can also offer light cushioning and arch support. If you’re practicing in a shared studio or using communal equipment, breathable Pilates socks are a hygienic upgrade, too.
We want our bottoms to stay put through roll-ups, leg circles, and long pulses, without digging or losing shape. They also need to be squat-proof. High-waisted leggings (full-length or capri) made from a soft, stretchy fabric are ideal for Pilates and other low-impact workouts. Biker shorts also work, but in a heated class, an extra layer of fabric can help maintain grip on props during leg work.
These are the best leggings for Pilates based on our testing, including a Lululemon biker short we love. For more favorites, check out our Best Leggings guide.
For Pilates, look for low- to medium-impact styles that are typically supportive without feeling compressive. I gravitate toward wide bands with no underwires that won’t dig in during floor work, but I’m also aware that those features might not be supportive for bigger busts. These are our top favorites, including a posture-correcting bra if alignment or lower back pain is a concern. For more picks, check out our Best Sports Bras guide.
An all-in-one jumpsuit with a built-in bra takes the guesswork out of getting dressed for Pilates. Our favorites offer supportive, comfortable coverage that moves with you from warm-up to cooldown.
Pilates-Specific Gear
You can absolutely do Pilates with nothing but yourself, but if you want to turn up the intensity or vary your workout routines, here are a few must-haves.
Exercise mats are essential because they deliver much-needed padding to cushion your joints during floor work. The proper ones are designed with a grippy, textured surface for added traction. They keep you steady, supporting better control. And they serve as a protective barrier between your skin and the yucky floor.
I also always need a towel when working out, and if you’re taking a heated class, this is especially necessary to absorb sweat. Pro tip: You can also turn your towel into a resistance band by twisting it and pulling against it. For more picks, check out our Best Yoga Mats guide.
You don’t need to splurge on a $2,000 reformer to practice Pilates at home. I take heated mat Pilates at my local fitness studio twice a week, and we usually use a combination of props: an exercise ball, Pilates ring (aka. a magic circle), and light weights. I like to use 2- or 3-pound dumbbells, but wrist and ankle weights don’t require grip strength and still add extra intensity to your full-body Pilates workout. Core sliders, which go under your hands or feet, add resistance to your movements and are an affordable alternative to the springs of a reformer.
We’ve spotlighted a few of our favorites below, but you can find more tested picks in our Best Reusable Water Bottles guide.
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The European Commission has published its implementation strategy for the VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) package, setting out actions to help businesses and Member States with the practical roll-out of upcoming VAT framework updates.
The European Commission has released its implementation strategy for the ViDA package, outlining actions and timelines for rollout.
ViDA introduces digital reporting, platform economy VAT rules, and single VAT registration to simplify compliance.
Expected benefits include €172– 214 billion (~$201.6–250.9 billion) over ten years, with €51 billion (~$59.8 billion) in business savings.
The ViDA package introduces new digital reporting requirements, targeted VAT adaptations for the platform economy, and a streamlined single VAT registration process, aiming to simplify compliance and reduce administrative burdens. The strategy provides a roadmap with key action points and timelines to ensure coordinated implementation across the EU.
By aligning ViDA measures with broader EU digital policies, the Commission seeks to enhance transparency in digital transactions and support businesses operating across borders, European Commission said in a release.
The approach also emphasises close monitoring of ViDA’s integration with other legislative efforts to maximise efficiency and strengthen the Single Market.
The Commission estimates that the ViDA package could generate economic benefits of €172– 214 billion (~$201.6–$250.9 billion) over ten years, including around €51 billion (~$59.8 billion) in savings for businesses. The strategy underscores the EU’s commitment to modernising its VAT system to meet the demands of the digital economy while boosting competitiveness.
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