Networking BEST PERFORMER 2026
The Backbone of AI Infrastructure | Updated April 2026
Where Networking Sits in the Ecosystem
Networking companies build the connections inside and between data centers — optical transceivers, switches, cables, and fiber. Every data center on this map needs high-speed networking to function.
The Problem
AI chips are useless unless they can talk to each other. A single AI training cluster needs thousands of GPUs connected through high-bandwidth links — and the connections are the bottleneck.
The Solution
These companies build the connections: fiber optic cables that carry data at the speed of light, switches that route traffic inside data centers, and specialized chips that process billions of data packets per second, and full optical + IP systems — from data-center transceivers to the carrier-scale gear (Ciena, Nokia) that links data centers across cities and continents. Think of them as the highways of the internet.
Why It Matters Now
Amazon, Google, and Microsoft are spending hundreds of billions on data centers. Every new server rack needs networking equipment. Supply can’t keep up with demand — giving these companies pricing power and revenue visibility well into 2027. The same AI-optical wave is reviving carrier-networking vendors like Nokia, whose optical business and a new NVIDIA AI-RAN partnership reposition it from telecom laggard to AI-infrastructure supplier.
AAOI
Applied Optoelectronics
Fiber-optic transceivers and laser components for hyperscale data centers and CATV networks. Vertically integrated from in-house laser chips to assembled 800G/1.6T modules.
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ALAB
Astera Labs
Semiconductor connectivity for AI infrastructure. Aries retimers and Scorpio fabric switches enabling GPU-to-GPU communication.
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ANET
Arista Networks
Cloud networking switches and software. Market leader in data center Ethernet switching. AI networking segment growing 50%+ annually.
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CIEN
Ciena Corporation
Optical networking systems and software. WaveLogic coherent optics technology. Connecting data centers with high-capacity fiber links.
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COHR
Coherent Corp
Optical components, lasers, and transceivers. Supplies the light sources and receivers that send data through fiber optic cables.
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CRDO
Credo Technology
High-speed connectivity chips for AI data centers. Active Electrical Cables (AEC) displacing traditional copper. Revenue growing 100%+ YoY.
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GLW
Corning Inc
Specialty glass and fiber optic cable manufacturer. The physical fiber that connects everything — from undersea cables to data center interconnects.
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LITE
Lumentum Holdings
Photonic products and fiber optic components. Cloud & networking segment growing rapidly on AI data center buildout demand.
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NOK
Nokia
Telecom + AI-networking equipment — optical (Infinera), IP routing and RAN. Repricing on the AI-optical build-out and a NVIDIA AI-RAN partnership.
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Source: SEC EDGAR annual and quarterly filings, company earnings conference calls and presentations.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. NO investment advice.