Hewlett Packard Enterprise is deploying what is set to become the most complex and geographically dispersed network in the history of the Olympic Games for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games, an undertaking that redefines the very fabric of event connectivity. Spanning a vast territory of over 22,000 square kilometers, the infrastructure must seamlessly connect more than 40 operational sites and 15 distinct competition venues across three Italian regions. This unprecedented fragmentation presents a monumental engineering challenge, demanding flawless, high-level performance in environments ranging from bustling urban centers to the harsh, unpredictable conditions of the Alpine peaks. The sheer scale and environmental diversity render traditional network management obsolete, necessitating a paradigm shift towards an intelligent, autonomous system capable of proactively ensuring a world-class digital experience for athletes, media, and spectators alike.
The Shift to an Autonomous Paradigm
The conventional approach to networking, which prioritizes raw speed and bandwidth, is no longer sufficient for an event of this magnitude, where simple connectivity—a “green light” on a router—does not guarantee a quality user experience. To address this, HPE is implementing a “Self-Driving Network” built upon its GreenLake platform, a revolutionary system engineered to be self-configuring, self-optimizing, and self-healing. The primary objective is the virtual elimination of service disruptions and the support tickets that follow. This proactive stance is critical in an environment expecting over one million daily connected devices, ranging from spectator smartphones to a vast ecosystem of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. This autonomous model moves beyond reactive problem-solving, instead creating an infrastructure that anticipates and resolves potential issues before they can impact the seamless delivery of the Games.
At the heart of this advanced network lies the native integration of artificial intelligence, exemplified by Marvis, a sophisticated conversational AI assistant powered by Large Language Models. This technology transforms network operations by enabling IT staff to interact with the complex infrastructure using simple, natural language. An operator can ask a direct question, such as, “What is the user experience in the skating arena?” and receive an immediate, data-driven analysis of performance metrics. This AI-powered dialogue is indispensable for managing the colossal scale of the event. The system also proactively monitors the “digital happiness” of countless non-human endpoints like biometric sensors, precision timers, and broadcast cameras. Since these critical IoT devices cannot report issues themselves, the AI’s constant oversight is essential to preventing potential disruptions to competitions or global broadcasts before they occur.
Infrastructure and Security at Scale
Supporting this intelligent, AI-driven system is a massive deployment of cutting-edge hardware designed for resilience and high performance across the challenging landscape. The physical backbone of the network is composed of approximately 4,900 wireless access points, more than 1,500 switches, and a core of over 70 powerful Juniper MX routers. This extensive hardware array is not merely about capacity; it is strategically engineered to provide the robust and reliable foundation necessary for the AI to perform its self-optimizing and self-healing functions effectively. This infrastructure ensures that from the media center in Milan to a remote Alpine skiing venue, every user and device receives the consistent, high-quality connectivity required for a successful global event. The hardware is the tangible muscle that empowers the network’s intelligent brain, guaranteeing performance under the most demanding conditions.
In a high-profile global event like the Olympics, security cannot be an afterthought; it must be a foundational component woven into every layer of the network architecture. HPE has built the Milan Cortina 2026 network around a “Zero Trust” security model, a modern framework where no user or device is trusted by default, regardless of its location within the network perimeter. This stringent approach ensures that every connection request is rigorously authenticated and authorized before access is granted, significantly reducing the attack surface. This integrated security posture is further fortified by the deployment of more than 50 SRX firewalls, which stand as vigilant guardians protecting sensitive competition data, personal information, and operational systems from the persistent threat of sophisticated and state-sponsored cyber-attacks.
A Blueprint for Future Mega-Events
The successful deployment and operation of the AI-powered network for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics established a new benchmark for managing mission-critical infrastructure at a global scale. The self-healing, autonomous system adeptly navigated the unprecedented geographical and environmental challenges, delivering a seamless digital experience that was once considered unattainable. By shifting the focus from mere connectivity to a guaranteed quality of experience for every user and device, the project demonstrated the immense value of integrating artificial intelligence directly into the network fabric. This achievement provided more than just a solution for a single event; it created a proven blueprint for how future large-scale, geographically dispersed events will be designed and managed, solidifying the role of intelligent automation in the future of global telecommunications.
