Exclusive: CommScope's Matias Peluffo on fibre innovation in Asia Pacific data centres

Surging demand for digital services, driven by cloud adoption and AI proliferation, is fuelling rapid growth in both mature and emerging markets across the region.

For CommScope, a global network infrastructure leader, this is a major opportunity – and one it is investing in heavily.

"In the last 18 months, as more and more businesses and governments move to the cloud, AI has reshaped the game here," said Matias Peluffo, Vice President of Data Centres at CommScope Asia Pacific.

"We're talking about unprecedented demand, and it's not just in the usual spots anymore," he explained during a recent interview.

While established hubs like Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney remain strong, Peluffo noted a shift towards second-tier markets such as Melbourne, Hyderabad, Jakarta and Bangkok. He said CommScope is well positioned to support this with "optical fibre infrastructure innovations, coupled with comprehensive service and support."

At the core of its strategy is the newly launched Propel XFrame, part of the company's flagship Propel product line.

Designed for high-density and compute-heavy environments, the Propel XFrame offers what Peluffo called "incredibly dense fibre management" and "the kind of future scalability that keeps a data centre agile and ready for whatever comes next."

The Propel XFrame supports up to 3,072 SN connectors in a standard 19-inch frame, enabling a level of scalability that is vital in today's AI-fuelled data centres.

However, Peluffo said it's not just about fitting more in.

"It's not merely about cramming in more fibre; it's about achieving that density in a way that remains manageable, flexible, and efficient," he said.

CommScope's modular approach means installations are faster and simpler, helping to offset rising labour costs and shortages of specialised technicians—issues particularly acute in mature markets like Singapore and Japan.

"That's precisely why our solutions are engineered to simplify installations," he explained.

In rapidly developing markets like India, Malaysia and Vietnam, the emphasis shifts to speed and scale.

There, CommScope leans on its regional supply chains and local partnerships. "Customers need infrastructure that can keep pace with truly rapid deployment," Peluffo said.

The Propel XFrame also plays a central role in CommScope's sustainability agenda.

With data centres under pressure to curb energy use and emissions, the company has embedded ESG principles into its product development.

"By helping data centres make far better use of their valuable white space and dramatically reducing complexity during deployment, it directly translates to more energy-efficient operations," he said.

CommScope's broader sustainability efforts have earned it recognition, including a Gold rating from EcoVadis. But Peluffo stressed the company's product-level design choices were just as important, from reducing on-site materials to minimising inventory waste.

"Our goal is to provide infrastructure that performs exceptionally today, while also supporting a more sustainable future for digital growth," he said.

The shift toward edge computing is another area where Propel XFrame fits in.

With data processing increasingly decentralised, especially for AI applications, compact and easily deployable solutions are in demand.

"That's precisely where our Propel XFrame solution shines," Peluffo said. "It gives operators the crucial flexibility to rapidly deploy exactly where demand arises, whether it's at the far edge or in distributed data centres."

Asked what's top of mind for APAC customers right now, Peluffo had a three-word answer: "Scalability, sustainability, and simplicity."

"Everyone's asking how they can grow fast without creating a management nightmare - or blowing up their energy bills," he added.

CommScope sees its Propel XFrame as the answer to that question - and believes its relevance will only increase. Over the next two to three years, Peluffo expects network speeds to rise sharply, with Enterprise data centres moving to 400G and AI Factories already pushing beyond 800G.

"These trends will force more efficient but often more space-intensive cooling methods like liquid cooling," he said. "That, in turn, drives the demand for high-density fibre infrastructure across the board."

To meet the needs of this changing market, CommScope has expanded its in-region presence, including more local teams and greater manufacturing capacity. Peluffo said the company is also investing in future-ready R&D.

"We've 'doubled down' on innovation and we've focused R&D on anticipating and solving the complex challenges driven by AI, edge computing, and ever-increasing network speeds," he said.

Those innovations will be on display at the upcoming DCD APAC conference in Bali, where the Propel XFrame will be featured at the CommScope booth.

"It'll be a great opportunity for people to see firsthand how it's solving real-world data centre challenges in the region," said Peluffo. "I'm looking forward to it."