Optical network transmission
Oriole Networks photonic networking platform to be integrated with AMD GPUs/CPUs for next-gen AI data center fabrics
London, England based Oriole Networks today announced continued progress in its collaboration with AMD in support of the UK’s Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA) Scaling Inference Lab. The initiative integrates Oriole’s photonic interconnect architecture with AMD Instinct GPUs and AMD EPYC CPUs to evaluate next-generation data center fabrics capable of addressing the performance, latency, and energy constraints inherent in large-scale AI workloads.
The multi-year collaboration is advancing toward deployment of what is positioned as the first production-scale, all-photonic AI network fabric. The system is designed to deliver ultra-low latency and deterministic transport characteristics at the system level, leveraging optical circuit switching to optimize east-west traffic flows across accelerator clusters. The primary objective is to demonstrate how optical interconnect technologies can support large-scale inference and distributed AI processing under stringent performance and energy constraints.
Oriole’s PRISM photonic networking platform [2.] replaces conventional electronic switching in the network core with nanosecond-scale optical circuit switching. In contrast to packet-switched electronic fabrics, this approach is intended to reduce forwarding overhead, lower core power consumption, and improve end-to-end transport efficiency for accelerator-dense workloads. AMD is contributing compute hardware and technical collaboration to support modeling and execution of large-scale network workloads relevant to frontier AI systems. However, PRISM is not built for any single chip vendor. It works across any accelerator platform, giving the wider industry a path to frontier-scale system-wide performance without the need for proprietary stacks.
Note 1. Oriole Networks is a photonic networking company, developing disruptive technologies for AI/ML and HPC networking that will revolutionize data centers. These technologies address AI’s biggest challenges – speed, latency, and sustainability. Our holistic approach replaces energy-hungry electrical switching with photonic switching. By using only light to move data in the network, our solution will increase the efficiency of LLM training and inference to unprecedented levels while dramatically reducing the energy consumption of data centers, currently putting a huge strain on energy grids. We can offer faster, more efficient, and more sustainable AI without sacrificing the planet.
Note 2. Oriole’s PRISM is a fully photonic network system designed to provide port-level, all-to-all connectivity, eliminating the need for electrical switches and dramatically reducing the number of optical transceivers needed in the network. This evolution greatly reduces power consumption and latency, increases bandwidth, and strengthens network resilience by eliminating single points of failure.
Image Credit: Oriole Networks
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The deployment also represents the first commercial implementation of Oriole’s technology following an R&D-to-production transition completed in approximately three years. The company states that its xPU-agnostic architecture is intended to support heterogeneous accelerator environments and broader industry rollout beginning in 2027.
Photonic networking architecture:
PRISM is designed to route data optically rather than electrically, using photonic circuit paths in place of conventional electronic switching elements. As AI training and inference workloads scale, data center interconnect requirements increasingly exceed the efficiency limits of traditional switch-based architectures, particularly in terms of power dissipation, thermal load, and communication latency.
By eliminating electronic switching in the fabric core, the PRISM architecture seeks to reduce core network power consumption and limit buffering- and queuing-related delay. The use of optical circuit switching is consistent with ongoing industry interest in photonic interconnects, co-packaged optics, and optical disaggregation as potential enablers of high-density AI clusters.
The company reports that the architecture can substantially reduce GPU idle time and improve system-level utilization by shortening data movement paths between compute nodes. It also indicates potential reductions in cooling demand and associated water usage due to lower network power dissipation.
Quotes:
James Regan, CEO of Oriole, said: “A year ago, we were proving the physics; today, we’re proving the business. Our collaboration with AMD has moved from concept to deployment to a system an order of magnitude larger, and the data proves this is already driving performance increases at pace. This is what it looks like when photonic networking stops being a research curiosity and starts being the foundation of how serious AI infrastructure gets built. There’s a big problem now with electrical switches, which are basically bottlenecking AI traffic, and it’s going to get worse. What we do is we replace all the electrical switches.”
“AMD is excited to collaborate with Oriole on the ARIA Scaling Inference Lab cluster,” said Madhu Rangarajan, corporate vice president, Compute and Enterprise AI business, AMD. “Oriole’s AI backend networking with nanosecond optical circuit switching represents a fundamentally different way to connect accelerators at scale. We are helping to validate how photonic fabrics can work alongside AMD compute to deliver the low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity that AI Inference workloads demand.”
“Meeting the demands for modern AI requires rapidly identifying ways to improve the performance and cost-efficiency of large-scale AI clusters. ARIA is thrilled to collaborate with Oriole and AMD to demonstrate the benefits of this new technology and it’s exactly the type of collaboration, between innovative startups and industry leaders, that the Scaling Inference Lab was designed to foster,” said Suraj Bramhavar, Program Director at ARIA
Standards and interoperability context:
From a standards perspective, photonic AI fabrics remain an active area of industry development rather than a fully mature architectural class. Relevant technical domains include IEEE 802.3 optical Ethernet interfaces, ITU-T optical transport frameworks such as G.694 and G.709, and ecosystem work in optical interconnect and co-packaged optics initiatives.
A vendor-neutral, accelerator-agnostic photonic fabric may be of interest to standards and industry groups evaluating future data center interconnect models for AI and high-performance computing. The Oriole–AMD collaboration therefore provides an early reference point for assessing the operational characteristics, integration constraints, and interoperability implications of optical circuit-switched AI infrastructure.
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References:
Oriole to Deploy World’s First AI System with Pure Photonic Network to Supercharge Data Centers
https://www.fierce-network.com/cloud/oriole-networks-pushes-pure-photonic-networking-ai-data-centers
NTT’s IOWN is (finally) evolving to an All Photonics Network (APN); Physics based AI for enterprise OT
Goldman Sachs report: Optical Networking is the next mega trend in AI infrastructure
Hyperscaler design of networking equipment with ODM partners
Technavio: Silicon Photonics market estimated to grow at ~25% CAGR from 2024-2028
Amazon and Corning in Multi-Billion-Dollar Fiber Infrastructure Deal in North Carolina
Introduction:
The surge in optical fiber demand is intensifying as hyperscale cloud providers accelerate infrastructure buildouts to support AI-driven workloads and high-density data center interconnect (DCI). Corning [1.] today announced a multi‑billion‑dollar investment from Amazon to expand fiber manufacturing capacity in North Carolina—incremental to its previously announced $10 billion regional cloud infrastructure expansion—reflects a broader structural shift in how optical supply chains are being secured and scaled.
Note 1. Corning’s fiber-optic infrastructure uses highly pure strands of optical glass thinner than a human hair to transmit massive amounts of data as pulses of light. These networks serve as the backbone for modern communications, connecting everything from rural broadband rollouts to hyperscale data centers driving generative AI. In hyperscale cloud and AI data centers, Corning provides high-density optical hardware and cables, such as their GlassWorks AI™ solutions. These large setups feature massive fiber-optic trunk cables containing hundreds to thousands of individual fibers bundled together to link powerful processors and servers. For outdoor networks running underground or on utility poles, you will see ruggedized cables protected by thick jackets and aramid yarn. These cables are designed to withstand weather, crushing, and extreme temperatures.
Corning’s structured cable solutions for internal data center connectivity. Image Credit: Corning
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This trend is not isolated. Hyperscalers including Meta, Microsoft, and wireline network operator Lumen are proactively entering long-term supply and co-investment agreements with fiber and cable manufacturers, effectively reshaping the upstream optical ecosystem.
Recent Fiber Supply Agreements with Corning:
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May 2026: NVIDIA committed $500 million to Corning to support construction of three new optical manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Texas. This investment is expected to increase Corning’s U.S.-based optical connectivity manufacturing capacity by approximately 10× and expand domestic fiber production by over 50%, targeting AI cluster interconnect requirements characterized by high fiber count and low-latency links aligned with IEEE 802.3 Ethernet and emerging co-packaged optics ecosystems.
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January 2026: Meta finalized a $6 billion agreement with Corning to secure fiber supply for large-scale data center fabrics. These fabrics increasingly rely on high-fiber-density architectures consistent with leaf-spine topologies and standards such as IEEE 802.3bs/ck (400G/800G Ethernet), as well as parallel single-mode fiber (PSM) and wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) approaches defined in ITU-T G.694.x.
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September 2025: Microsoft entered a manufacturing agreement with Corning and Heraeus focused on hollow-core fiber (HCF), a technology aligned with ITU-T G.650 characterization frameworks. HCF offers lower latency (reduced group index) and improved performance for latency-sensitive AI workloads and inter-data center transport.
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August 2024: Corning and Lumen established a supply agreement for next-generation fiber optic cable to support AI-driven traffic growth. This aligns with ITU-T G.652.D and G.657 fiber standards for bend-insensitive and high-capacity terrestrial deployments, as well as evolving requirements for high-count ribbon fiber cables in dense metro and campus environments.
Structural Implications for the Optical Supply Chain:
Hyperscalers are transitioning from passive consumers of optical components to active participants in manufacturing scale-up, including:
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Anchor tenancy models: As seen with Meta’s backing of Corning’s North Carolina facility, hyperscalers are underwriting capacity expansion, effectively securing preferential access to supply.
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Vertical influence: Direct investments and long-term offtake agreements allow hyperscalers to influence fiber specifications, manufacturing roadmaps, and deployment architectures (e.g., optimized fiber types for short-reach vs. long-haul DCI).
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Workforce development: Amazon and Corning’s collaboration with Catawba Valley Community College to expand fiber technician training reflects a strategic effort to address labor constraints in optical manufacturing and deployment, reinforcing domestic supply chain resilience.
Implications for Telecom Operators:
These developments introduce non-trivial risks and strategic considerations for telecom operators:
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Supply prioritization: Hyperscaler-backed agreements may shift allocation dynamics, potentially constraining availability for traditional telecom buyers during periods of tight supply.
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Pricing pressure: Long-term, high-volume contracts could influence pricing benchmarks, potentially disadvantaging operators without comparable scale or capital flexibility.
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BEAD timing mismatch: U.S. operators anticipating fiber expansion funded by BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) may face supply bottlenecks if hyperscaler demand absorbs near-term manufacturing output.
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Architectural divergence: Hyperscaler-driven requirements—optimized for short-reach, ultra-high-capacity intra-data-center and DCI links—may skew innovation toward their use cases, potentially misaligning with traditional access network needs governed by ITU-T G.984 (GPON), G.9807 (XGS-PON), and emerging 25G/50G PON standards.
A useful analogy is the semiconductor industry, where hyperscaler influence has already reshaped foundry capacity allocation and advanced node prioritization. A similar dynamic is now emerging in optical fiber and connectivity, with hyperscalers effectively acting as quasi-industrial planners for next-generation optical infrastructure.
Quotes:
“Amazon’s investments in North Carolina have created more than 26,000 jobs across the state. This multibillion-dollar agreement with Corning continues that commitment, channeling investment into American manufacturing and creating 1,000 new jobs at their facilities near our data centers,” said Matt Garman, CEO of AWS. “We’re also partnering to train North Carolinians for highly skilled roles in fiber optics and fusion splicing. These long-term investments create long-term careers and real opportunity in the communities where we operate.”
“This agreement with Amazon represents a significant milestone for Corning and for American manufacturing,” said Wendell Weeks, chairman, CEO, and president of Corning. “For 175 years, Corning has pioneered the technologies that connect people and transform industries. Amazon’s investment will help us expand production, create 1,000 new advanced manufacturing jobs at our facilities, and lead the way toward building a resilient U.S. manufacturing base.”
Clearfield CEO Cheri Beranek told Fierce Network at Fiber Connect that supply chain issues are re-emerging, particularly around high-count fiber. “There’s absolutely a shortage of ribbon fiber,” she said, referring to a conversation with Hawaii Telecom, a Clearfield customer. “The high count for the ribbon fiber … everything over 432 is tough to get,” she said. “The fiber companies want to tell you that there’s enough American‑made fiber… but there can’t be.”
“In talking to fiber optic suppliers, they all say one thing, ‘It’s nice to finally be the cool kid on the block.’ Hyperscalers are finally realizing that they not only need compute, storage, chips, power, water and real estate, they also need fiber optic connectivity,” said Fierce Network’s Chief Analyst Linda Hardesty.
The net effect is a tightening coupling between AI infrastructure demand and optical supply chain strategy—one that telecom operators will need to actively manage through procurement strategy, vendor diversification, and potentially deeper participation in supply-side partnerships.
End Note:
Amazon’s long-term commitment to North Carolina goes beyond direct investments and jobs created in the state. Through workforce development, Career Choice, and upskilling programs, Amazon has already provided practical training for nearly 7,000 people in North Carolina, helping to open new pathways for higher-paying jobs and fulfilling careers.
In the last decade, Amazon has contributed more than $72 million to charities and organizations supporting local needs across North Carolina, with $10 million provided in 2025 alone to 26 local community partners. This includes contributions like $1.5 million to enhance public safety services for southeastern Hamlet and surrounding Richmond County communities by funding a new fire substation that is expected to lower emergency response times and homeowner insurance premiums.
References:
https://www.corning.com/data-center/au/en/home/applications/enterprise-private-data-center.html
https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/company-news/amazon-corning-fiber-optics-1000-jobs-north-carolina
Fiber Optic Boost: Corning and Meta in multiyear $6 billion deal to accelerate U.S data center buildout
Corning to Build New Fiber Optic Plant in Phoenix, AZ for AT&T Fiber Network Expansion
Calix and Corning Weigh In: When Will Broadband Wireline Spending Increase?
Verizon-Corning $1.05B fiber deal part of larger build-out or buy program
2026 Fiber Connect Keynote: “The Future of Fiber Optics: AI and the Quantum”
Dr. Michio Kaku’s 2026 Fiber Connect keynote, “The Future of Fiber Optics: AI and the Quantum,” kicked off the inaugural AI & Emerging Technology Infrastructure Summit on Wednesday, May 20,2026.
As a theoretical physicist and futurist, Dr. Kaku delivered a high-altitude roadmap framing fiber optic networks not merely as faster telecom pipes, but as the mandatory foundation for a world defined by concurrent, multi-cloud AI infrastructure and quantum mechanics.
Kaku described the convergence of AI, quantum computing, and fiber infrastructure as a critical shift toward an AI-native, quantum-enabled internet essential for national competitiveness. Kaku emphasized that fiber optics are necessary to facilitate “quantum AI” by handling high-density, low-latency data movement, moving beyond traditional networking to support exponential computing advancements.
Key Takeaways:
- Fiber as the Foundation for AI: Dr. Kaku explained that massive data sets and hyperscale AI computations cannot run efficiently over wireless or legacy networks. Fiber’s near-limitless bandwidth and sub-millisecond latency are required to process these workloads in real-time.
- The Quantum Computing Leap: He detailed how quantum networks—which compute at the atomic level—will redefine security and processing power. He emphasized that quantum data requires the stability, security, and bandwidth that only fiber optics can provide.
- National Competitiveness: Dr. Kaku framed fiber broadband as a strategic national asset. He argued that a region’s ability to evolve into an AI-native economy depends directly on robust fiber infrastructure to secure future healthcare, financial, and climate innovations.
- The “Thinking Economy”: He projected that networks are evolving to do more than just transport data. They will increasingly support “thinking economies” where intelligence moves instantly between edge computing centers, end-points, and the cloud.
The presentation and subsequent fireside chat with quantum computing firm IonQ offered several critical technological dimensions and actionable industry analysis:
The Physics of the “AI Triad” (Compute, Quantum, & Photonics):
Kaku mapped out how classical silicon-based computing is approaching its physical limits (thermodynamics and transistor gating). He explained that the future relies on a three-pronged convergence:
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- AI Models: The brain processing the logic.
- Quantum Computing: The hyper-accelerator solving atomic, chemical, and multi-variable optimization issues.
- Optical Fiber: The unified nervous system. Quantum and distributed AI workloads cannot scale on traditional copper networks because they require absolute determinism, zero-jitter latency, and near-limitless bandwidth.
Upgrading to a Quantum-Ready Internet:
Drawing from themes in his book Quantum Supremacy, Kaku noted that the move toward a quantum-enabled web alters the physical network topology. Operators must plan for physical security layers (like Quantum Key Distribution) and data transmission methods that preserve quantum entanglement across distances.
–>Fiber is the only media capable of transporting light photons over vast geographies without disrupting these states.
The Power and Cooling Crisis:
A significant focus of the analysis was the staggering energy footprint of next-generation AI factories and hyper-scale data centers. Kaku noted that moving data electronically creates heat resistance. Shifting toward all-optical (photonic) networks and in-rack fiber interconnects removes electronic bottlenecks, drastically reducing the power required to pass massive datasets between distributed data centers
Strategic Implications for Network Operators:
During the fireside chat, the discussion moved from theoretical physics to immediate business strategy and tactics:
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- National Competitiveness: Bandwidth, latency, and optical infrastructure are the new benchmarks for a country’s economic power.
- Capacity Planning: Network planners must shift from estimating consumer download speeds to calculating the throughput required for real-time, stateful AI agents and machine learning inference workloads operating at the network edge.
FBA Panel and Summit Sessions:
Following Kaku’s opening address, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) hosted deep-dive industry panels that put these physics concepts into operator terms:
- The Open Compute Project (OCP): Discussed open-source hardware standards for in-rack photonics to support massive AI clustering.
- Multi-Data-Center Architectures: Network engineers mapped out how dense dark fiber rings are being laid to link secondary edge facilities, allowing enterprises to run heavy inference closer to end-users without overwhelming backbone networks.
- AI data center speed and power requirements are transitioning towards 800 Gbps–1.6 Tbps node-to-node networking and gigawatt-scale power to handle distributed generative AI workloads.
- High rack densities up to 240 kW require advanced liquid or immersion cooling, with optical technologies being introduced to reduce heat generation.
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References:
https://fiberconnect.fiberbroadband.org/about/whats-new/
Analysis: Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) whitepaper: Upgrading MSO Networks to Fiber to the Home (FTTH): A Technical Perspective
Fiber Broadband Association Middle Mile WG: how to use “Digital Infrastructure Networks” for coordinated fiber backbone investments
Analysis: AT&T 1Q-2026 results: increased fiber penetration, FWA momentum, D2D deals, and mobile/home internet bundles
Fiber Optic Boost: Corning and Meta in multiyear $6 billion deal to accelerate U.S data center buildout
Fiber Optic Networks & Subsea Cable Systems as the foundation for AI and Cloud services
How will fiber and equipment vendors meet the increased demand for fiber optics in 2026 due to AI data center buildouts?
Automating Fiber Testing in the Last Mile: An Experiment from the Field
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Fiber Broadband Association Middle Mile WG: how to use “Digital Infrastructure Networks” for coordinated fiber backbone investments
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today released guidance from its Middle Mile Working Group (WG) which outlines how states can strengthen digital infrastructure through coordinated fiber backbone investment. Fiber is the foundation of AI, powering the high-capacity, low-latency, secure connectivity that links data centers, cloud infrastructure, and the communities that depend on them. To meet rising national demand, the U.S. must scale fiber deployment 2.3x by 2029. This goal requires accelerated infrastructure builds and strong coordination among states, utilities, and industry partners.
Digital Infrastructure Networks are strategic fiber optic systems that connect the core internet backbone to last-mile broadband providers. By strengthening these middle-mile connections, states can reduce the cost of broadband deployment, improve network resiliency, and expand connectivity to unserved and underserved communities.
“Middle-mile infrastructure is what allows broadband networks to scale,” said Sachin Gupta, Chair of the Middle Mile Working Group and Vice President of Business and Technology Strategies at Centranet. “When high-capacity fiber backbones are located closer to underserved communities, providers can extend last-mile networks more affordably, reach more locations, operate more efficiently, and better serve communities across the state.”
Among the recommendations:
- Coordinate infrastructure projects across agencies to streamline deployment and reduce unnecessary construction
- Implement “dig once” policies that install conduit or fiber whenever roads or utility corridors are opened for construction
- Leverage state-owned assets, including rights-of-way, existing fiber routes, and utility infrastructure
- Modernize permitting and coordination processes to accelerate broadband builds
FBA will further explore these strategies during two Middle Mile Working Group breakout sessions at Fiber Connect 2026, taking place Tuesday morning. The sessions include:
- Rural Collaboration, Infrastructure Planning, and Sustaining Affordable, High-Performance Middle Mile Broadband
- Unlocking New Middle Mile Opportunities for ISPs and Community Networks
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Technical Topology: The DWDM Advantage:
- Massive Spectral Efficiency: Multiplexing up to 96+ channels onto a single fiber, with each wavelength supporting 100G, 400G, or 800G data rates.
- Scalable Architecture: Capacity can be increased incrementally by lighting new wavelengths without forklift upgrades or additional trenching.
- Resilient Topologies:
- Ring Networks: Often preferred for regional backhaul, utilizing Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADMs) to provide self-healing 1+1 protection and sub-50ms failover.
- Mesh Networks: The gold standard for reliability, offering multiple diverse paths to ensure uptime even during multiple fiber cuts.
- Long-Haul Performance: Utilizing Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs) and Raman amplification to maintain signal integrity over spans exceeding 1,000 km without electronic regeneration.
References:
Learn more; fiberconnect.fiberbroadband.org. Learn more about FBA’s research here or subscribe to FBA’s Fiber Forward Weekly newsletter here to stay updated.
Digital Infrastructure Networks: Meeting the Broadband Challenge for State Governments
Australia’s NBN and Nokia demonstrate multi-generation optical technologies concurrently over existing FTTP infrastructure
Automating Fiber Testing in the Last Mile: An Experiment from the Field
U.S. fiber rollouts now pass ~52% of homes and businesses but are still far behind HFC
Highlights of FiberConnect 2024: PON-related products dominate
Fiber Broadband Association: 1.4M Fiber Miles Needed for 5G in Top 25 U.S. Metros
AT&T expands its fiber-optic network amid slowdown in mobile subscriber growth
Australia’s NBN and Nokia demonstrate multi-generation optical technologies concurrently over existing FTTP infrastructure
NBN Co, in collaboration with Nokia, has successfully conducted a laboratory demonstration of multiple generations of optical access and coherent transmission technologies operating concurrently over its existing Fiber‑to‑the‑Premises (FTTP) network. The technical trial validates the long‑term scalability of NBN Co’s national full‑fibre infrastructure and its capacity to accommodate the sustained growth of residential, enterprise, and industrial data demand anticipated over the coming decades.
The “Supercharging Fibre” trial, presented at the Broadband Forum Spring Member Meeting—held in Australia for the first time and hosted by NBN Co—demonstrated aggregate transmission rates exceeding 230 Gbit/s using multiple optical technologies over a single physical fiber link in a controlled laboratory environment. The experimental setup also established a pathway toward achieving terabit‑class capacities in future trials through the evolution of optical modulation formats and channel aggregation techniques.
A key outcome of the trial was the successful integration of coherent optical transmission with multiple generations of passive optical network (PON) technologies—GPON, XGS‑PON, and 50G‑PON—operating simultaneously over the same fiber infrastructure currently in service across Australia. Coherent optics, traditionally deployed within metropolitan, core, and data center interconnect networks, employ advanced modulation and digital signal processing to deliver extended reach, low latency, and high spectral efficiency. Their introduction into the access network domain represents a significant step toward the convergence of access and transport technologies, offering an efficient route to enhanced capacity and service flexibility without extensive physical network replacement.
The demonstration (see illustration below) underscores the technical viability of leveraging existing passive optical infrastructure to support future bandwidth requirements driven by the proliferation of cloud computing, immersive digital experiences, artificial intelligence applications, and industrial IoT systems. The results further illustrate the potential of FTTP systems to evolve into a highly scalable, future‑ready broadband platform capable of sustaining national connectivity objectives.
Image Credit: Perplexity.ai
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By 31 December 2025, more than 1 million customers had transitioned from copper‑based services to high‑speed full‑fiber connections, positioning FTTP as NBN Co’s dominant fixed‑line technology at approximately 35% of total connections. The company achieved its commitment to enable 10 million premises, representing about 90% of the NBN fixed‑line footprint, to order multi‑gigabit‑capable wholesale broadband services. Ongoing upgrade activities encompass over 228,000 premises, as part of an initiative to extend full‑fiber access to 95% of the remaining ~622,000 copper‑served locations by 2030.
These developments reflect NBN Co’s strategic focus on access network modernization and underscore the continuing evolution of optical access technologies toward achieving the performance, flexibility, and resilience required to support Australia’s transition to a digital and cloud‑centric economy.
NBN Co. was established in 2009 by the Commonwealth of Australia as a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) with a clear direction – to design, build and operate a wholesale broadband access network for Australia.
And we’ve done just that – creating a network that criss-crosses a country, and allowing internet retailers to provide reasonably priced broadband services to consumers and businesses.
The network is the digital backbone of Australia and is constantly evolving to keep communities and businesses connected and our nation productive.
References:
https://www.nbnco.com.au/corporate-information/about-nbn-co
https://www.broadband-forum.org/events/spring-2026-member-meeting/
Dell’Oro: Optical Transport Systems market +15% year-over-year in 3Q2025 driven by Cloud Service Providers
AI wireless and fiber optic network technologies; IMT 2030 “native AI” concept
Point Topic: FTTP broadband subs to reach 1.12bn by 2030 in 29 largest markets
Nokia and Hong Kong Broadband Network Ltd deploy 25G PON
Nokia’s launches symmetrical 25G PON modem
Google Fiber planning 20 Gig symmetrical service via Nokia’s 25G-PON system
STL completes successful Multi-Core Fiber (MCF) trial with Colt in London, UK
India based STL, a global provider of optical and digital connectivity solutions for AI-era networks, has completed multi-core fiber (MCF) field trials with Colt Technology Services on Colt’s London metro optical network. The trial is a meaningful proof point for space-division multiplexing (SDM) in carrier environments, demonstrating that MCF can lift per-fiber strand capacity while staying within existing civil and duct constraints and improving overall network energy and cost metrics.
The deployment used STL’s Multiverse™ four-core MCF, designed with the same 125 µm cladding diameter as conventional single-mode fibre (SMF) and a 250/200 µm coating, enabling seamless handling with existing cable designs and installation practices. The trial route connected two Colt Points of Presence (PoPs) on the London metro network over spans of approximately 9 km and 63 km, representing both short-haul metro and longer metro-regional use cases.
From a transmission standpoint, the network achieved an 800 Gbps line rate with service validation for 100GE and 400GE, aligning with current high-capacity router and data-centre interconnect interfaces. STL and Colt validated performance across a broad set of optical and system parameters, including chromatic dispersion (CD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), inter-core crosstalk, throughput, fault behavior, OTDR signatures, insertion loss, and optical return loss (ORL), with results within expected design envelopes. This indicates that Multiverse™ MCF can be engineered and operated to comparable performance baselines as legacy SMF while delivering higher spatial capacity.
Architecturally, STL’s MCF platform integrates four independent cores within a standard SMF cladding profile, effectively multiplying per-fibre capacity without increasing cable diameter. For operators, this directly addresses constraints in congested metro ducts, legacy civil infrastructure, and brownfield routes where augmenting capacity by pulling additional cables is either cost-prohibitive or operationally disruptive. In these scenarios, MCF creates a higher bit-per-mm² and bit-per-duct investment profile, improving both capex efficiency (less civil work, fewer ducts) and opex metrics such as energy per transported bit.
STL positions itself as one of the early movers in taking MCF from controlled lab demonstrations into operational networks, including buried and ducted plant, backed by a full ecosystem spanning fibre, cable, and connectivity hardware through its Optotec portfolio. Coupled with STL’s broader focus on AI-ready optical infrastructure and 5G-ready digital network solutions, the Colt trial underlines a practical migration path for carriers looking to future-proof metro and data-centre interconnect footprints against emerging AI, cloud, and 5G traffic patterns without wholesale rebuilds of underlying passive infrastructure.
“As network demand accelerates, customers are looking for more bandwidth without sacrificing security, performance, or sustainability,” said Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer, Colt Technology Services. “At Colt, we continue to push optical networking forward, and this pilot represents an important step in Europe and the USA. It reflects our focus on building scalable networks that deliver growth in capacity without increasing environmental impact.”
Dr Badri Gomatam, CTO, STL, said the trial highlights the value of joint innovation in advancing optical infrastructure. “Collaborations like this speed up adoption of next-generation connectivity technologies. STL’s Multiverse MCF portfolio is designed for the high-density, ultra-low latency, and resilient connectivity requirements of AI, hyperscale cloud, and future digital platforms globally,” he said. STL stated that the trial results strengthen confidence in MCF as a viable technology for the growing bandwidth requirements driven by AI workloads, cloud scale-out, and new digital services.
“As network demand accelerates, customers are looking for more bandwidth without sacrificing security, performance, or sustainability,” said Buddy Bayer, Chief Operating Officer, Colt Technology Services. “At Colt, we continue to push optical networking forward, and this pilot represents an important step in Europe and the USA. It reflects our focus on building scalable networks that deliver growth in capacity without increasing environmental impact.”
Dr Badri Gomatam, CTO, STL, said the trial highlights the value of joint innovation in advancing optical infrastructure. “Collaborations like this speed up adoption of next-generation connectivity technologies. STL’s Multiverse MCF portfolio is designed for the high-density, ultra-low latency, and resilient connectivity requirements of AI, hyperscale cloud, and future digital platforms globally,” he said. STL stated that the trial results strengthen confidence in MCF as a viable technology for the growing bandwidth requirements driven by AI workloads, cloud scale-out, and new digital services.
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About STL-– Sterlite Technologies Ltd:
STL is a global provider of advanced connectivity solutions, offering end-to-end products and services for building AI-ready networks across FTTx, rural broadband, enterprise, and data centres. With manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, STL supplies connectivity solutions in more than 100 countries and works with telecom operators, cloud and data center companies, internet service providers, and large enterprises to build future-ready AI digital infrastructure.
On January 23, 2026, STL reported continued sequential improvement in Operational EBITDA margin for the fifth consecutive quarter, driven by a higher-margin product mix and increased contribution from the US market. With the US–India Bilateral Trade Agreement under advanced discussion, STL remains well-positioned to leverage emerging opportunities by offering reliable, high-quality solutions for building AI-ready digital infrastructure.
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References:
https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/78908
How will fiber and equipment vendors meet the increased demand for fiber optics in 2026 due to AI data center buildouts?
Big tech spending on AI data centers and
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Dell’Oro: Optical Transport Systems market +15% year-over-year in 3Q2025 driven by Cloud Service Providers
Dell’Oro Group recently published its 3Q25 Optical Transport report, highlighting continued strength in the market as demand accelerates across customer segments and technology areas. Below is a summary of the key findings from this latest research.
The Optical Transport Systems market increased by 15% year-over-year (Y/Y) in 3Q2025, driven by robust demand across all major customer groups and technology segments. The most significant growth was seen in Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) which grew +58% Y/Y and the DWDM Long Haul segment which grew +24% Y/Y. Direct sales for data center interconnect (DCI) continued to be the driving application for optical transport equipment sales, growing 34% Y/Y. Non-DCI also performed well, rising 7% Y/Y, driven by increased spending by communication service providers (CSPs).
In the first nine months of 2025, two vendors—Ciena and Nokia—gained more than one percentage point of market share. Other vendors that gained some market share included 1Finity, Adtran, Cisco, and Smartoptics. Note that Nokia acquired Infinera -a fiber optic equipment company on February 28, 2025.
Image Source: Jimmy Yu, Dell’Oro Group
The Dell’Oro Group Optical Transport Quarterly Report offers complete, in-depth coverage of the market with tables covering manufacturers’ revenue, average selling prices, and unit shipments (by speed up to 1.6 Tbps). The report tracks DWDM long haul, WDM metro, multiservice multiplexers (SONET/SDH), data center interconnect (metro and long haul), disaggregated WDM systems, and IPoDWDM ZR/ZR+ Optics. To purchase this report, please contact us at [email protected].
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Backgrounder:
- Optical Transceivers: Convert electrical signals into optical signals for transmission over fibers, and vice versa, at the endpoints of a link.
- Wavelength Division Multiplexers (WDM/DWDM): Devices that combine multiple optical signals (each on a different wavelength) into a single fiber for transmission, and separate them at the receiving end, maximizing fiber capacity.
- Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers (OADMs): Allow specific wavelengths (channels) to be added or removed from a fiber link at intermediate points in the network without interrupting the other channels.
- Optical Cross-Connects (OXCs) / Optical Switches: Used to route optical signals from one incoming fiber to a different outgoing fiber in the optical domain, often used in core networks.
- Regenerators / Optical Amplifiers (EDFAs): Used to amplify or regenerate optical signals over long distances to maintain signal strength and quality.
- OTN Terminal Equipment / Muxponders & Transponders: These devices package client signals (like Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or even SONET/SDH signals) into the standard OTN frame format (ITU G.709) for efficient transport.
- SONET/SDH: These are legacy, connection-oriented, circuit-switched technologies originally designed for carrying voice traffic in North America (SONET) and globally (SDH). They operate at the physical layer (Layer 1) and use Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
- Usage: They are still widely deployed in existing network infrastructure, especially where high reliability and stringent latency requirements for legacy TDM services are necessary.
- OTN: OTN (ITU-T G.709 standard) is the modern successor, designed to combine the management and protection capabilities of SONET/SDH with the bandwidth efficiency of WDM.
- Usage: OTN has largely replaced SONET/SDH in new core and metro networks due to its ability to transparently carry multiple types of traffic (Ethernet, IP, Fibre Channel, and SONET/SDH frames) over a single, high-capacity infrastructure. It offers enhanced performance monitoring, Forward Error Correction (FEC) for longer reach, and greater scalability.
- Huawei has consistently maintained a leading position in the global optical networking market.
- Ciena is a major leader, particularly in North America (holding nearly 50% share in the U.S. market) and among cloud providers, benefiting from strong demand for its WaveLogic 6e and 400ZR/ZR+ solutions.
- Nokia has significantly strengthened its position, becoming the second-largest optical networking vendor globally (with approximately 20% market share) following its acquisition of Infinera in February 2025. The combined company saw substantial growth in revenue from cloud customers.
- Cisco saw a 31% increase in revenue from cloud operators in Q2 2025, a key driver of market growth.
- ZTE and FiberHome are also among the top six, often noted for their competitive solutions in global and emerging markets.
- Excluding sales into China, the leading vendors are Ciena, Huawei, Nokia, Infinera (now part of Nokia), and Fujitsu, accounting for around 80% of that specific market segment.
References:
Optical Transport Market Surges 15% in 3Q25, According to Dell’Oro Group
Dell’Oro: Optical Transport market to hit $17B by 2027; Lumen Technologies 400G wavelength market
LightCounting: Q1 2024 Optical Network Equipment market split between telecoms (-) and hyperscalers (+)
Highlights of LightCounting’s December 2023 Quarterly Market Update on Optical Networking
Dell’Oro: Optical Transport Market Down 2% in 1st 9 Months of 2021
Dell’Oro: Optical Transport Equipment Market Stagnant in 1Q 2021; Jimmy Yu’s Take
Dell’ Oro: Huawei still top telecom equipment supplier; optical transport market +1% in 2020
NTT’s IOWN provides ultra low latency and energy efficiency in Japan and Hong Kong
The rapid uptake of generative AI in data centers and semiconductor factories is causing a surge in power consumption, which is predicted to reach 11 times the current level by 2033. To address this issue, the NTT Group has proposed the “IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network)” concept, which aims to improve energy efficiency and achieve ultra-low latency and high-capacity communications through innovative optical communications technology.
By utilizing optical communications technology, IOWN aims to achieve dramatically low-power, high-quality, high-capacity, and low-latency communications by migrating from conventional electronics-based networks to photonics (optical)-based networks.
“Our research and development efforts are focused on achieving 1/200th the current level of latency, 125x the current level of capacity, and 100x the current level of power efficiency by 2032,” said NTT’s Tetsushi Shoji.
NTT Group is working toward “IOWN 1.0,” a goal that will see the network become all-optical. Even with current networks using optical fiber, data is repeatedly converted into electrical signals through routers and switches. However, if communication from terminal to terminal were to be entirely optical, the power consumption required for conversion would be significantly reduced.
Furthermore, communication latency is expected to be reduced. “Traditional communications involve delays because data passes through multiple nodes. However, with the IOWN APN (All Photonics Network), data reaches its destination directly, dramatically improving communication latency,” says Shoji.
On August 29, 2024, a 2,893-km IOWN APN demonstration experiment connecting Tokyo and Taiwan. The optical transport connection linked the Chunghwa Telecom Headquarter in Taipei City with the Musashino R&D Center in Musashino, Japan, achieving an ultra-low latency of approximately 17 milliseconds over an approximately 3,000 km network. Latency fluctuations were also extremely small, The innovative application was showcased publicly at the NTT R&D Forum 2024 in November 2024.
NTT Group is also considering optical fiber inside computers as part of its IOWN 2.0 and beyond concept.
Currently, the wiring inside computers uses electrical signals, and as processing speeds increase, problems with power consumption and heat generation become more serious. To solve this, the goal is to opticalize communication between boards and chips, dramatically improving data transfer efficiency.
“Ultimately, by utilizing optical fiber even inside computers, we believe it will be possible to improve power efficiency by 100 times and communication speeds by 125 times,” says Shoji.
Source: NTT Group
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Nearly two weeks ago, NTT Docomo Business and NTT Com Asia launched the APN InterLink service, which is targeted at Hong Kong’s financial services sector. This all optical/photonic network, promised in the late 1990s, eliminates Optical to Electrical to Optical (OEO) repeaters, thereby greatly improving transmission performance.
“As an all-photonic solution, data is transmitted entirely at the speed of light with minimal conversion, resulting in significantly reduced latency and jitter. This capability enables mission-critical applications such as real-time trading and advanced AI workloads,” said Steven So, chief technology officer at NTT Com Asia.
So noted that recent performance tests have shown that an all-photonic network substantially improves upon a traditional setup.
In Japan, NTT Data and NTT West collaborated with MUFG Bank to conduct a successful test of APN during a live IT migration involving multiple data centers situated 50km to 100km apart. The demonstration included long-distance, synchronous database management system replication between locations up to 2,500km apart. The results showed less than one second of downtime.
“This highlights how APN addresses next-generation infrastructure requirements of the financial services sector,” So said. ” IOWN APN can deliver ultra-low latency, high-capacity, and energy-efficient network photonics-based connectivity to address their needs – where every millisecond counts in the digital world.”
References:
https://www.ntt.com/business/services/xmanaged/lp/itsmf/202511-nttcom.html
https://group.ntt/en/group/iown/function/
NTT pins growth on IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network)
Sony and NTT (with IOWN) collaborate on remote broadcast production platform
Lumen and Ciena Transmit 1.2 Tbps Wavelength Service Across 3,050 Kilometers
Lumen and Ciena have teamed up for a significant new network trial. They have successfully demonstrated a 1.2Tbps wavelength spanning 3,050k m (more than 1,800 miles) on Lumen’s Ultra-Low-Loss (ULL) fiber network, making it the world’s longest 1.2 terabit non-regenerated signal. The trial leveraged Ciena’s WL6e technology over a 6500 photonic line system and Lumen’s fiber network between Denver and Dallas. They also used 800Gbps routing technology from Juniper’s PTX Series to establish Ethernet and IP services. Lumen’s 400G-enabled network already spans over 78,000 route miles, and the company continues to invest in next-generation fiber to enhance its Ultra-Low Loss (ULL) fiber network, the largest in North America.
Using 800G interfaces, Lumen and Ciena successfully tested and qualified the services to support wavelength, Ethernet, and IP services over the 1.2 Tbps single carrier channel. The live network trial from Denver to Dallas used Ciena’s latest WaveLogic 6 Extreme (WL6e) technology equipped in the Waveserver platform running over a 6500 photonic line system.
“1.2 terabits per second isn’t just about incredible speed and long distances, it’s about the value of enabling the next wave of digital transformation. Lumen is at the forefront of building a next-generation network designed to handle the explosive growth of AI and cloud workloads,” said Dave Ward, Lumen’s chief technology and product officer. “Our investment in increased capacity, powered by Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 technology, provides our hyperscale cloud partners and enterprises with the ultra-high-capacity connectivity needed to scale their AI and cloud applications. With 400G connectivity speeds today and a seamless upgrade path to 1.2 terabits, Lumen stands as the trusted network for AI.”
The trial also showcased the impressive performance and seamless interoperability between Ciena’s Waveserver platform and the Juniper PTX10002-36QDD Packet Transport Router at 800 Gbps over the ultra-long-haul 1.2 Tbps intercity network. By leveraging the performance, flexibility and scalability of the Juniper PTX Series Routers, Lumen successfully established Ethernet and IP services with minimal latency and zero packet loss throughout the tests.
Editor’s Note:
While the companies March 27th joint press release stated the 1.2T bps wavelength transport was a record, AT&T claimed two weeks earlier that it “achieved a long distance world record top speed of 1.6Tb/s over a single wavelength across 296 km of its long haul fiber optic network.” We reported that in this IEEE Techblog post. So yes, it’s a record considering the Lumen network wavelength distance was > 10 times that claimed by AT&T.
Faster connections up to 1.2 Tbps wavelengths means less lag, more capacity and the flexibility to handle the most data-hungry applications across multiple industries:
- AI & Machine Learning
- Hyperscale Cloud & Data Center Interconnects
- Financial Trading and Market Data Transport
- Cybersecurity & AI-powered Threat Intelligence
- Media & Streaming
“At Microsoft, the demand for ultra-high-speed, low-latency connectivity is growing exponentially as AI workloads, cloud applications, and real-time analytics scale,” Lumen said. “Lumen and Ciena’s successful wavelength trial showcases a forward-thinking approach to meeting these growing demands. By enabling more efficient data movement over vast distances, this solution helps us optimize cloud performance, enhance customer experiences, and support the rapid expansion of AI training and inferencing models across our global infrastructure.”
Ciena’s WL6e is the industry’s first high-bandwidth coherent transceiver using state-of-the-art 3nm silicon, capable of carrying capacity up to 1.6 terabits per second per wavelength.
“As the pioneer in high-speed optical innovation, we are dedicated to helping our customers set new benchmarks in network performance and efficiency,” said Brodie Gage, Ciena senior vice president, global products and supply chain. “This industry-first trial with Lumen marks a pivotal step in our efforts to prepare networks for the AI era. Lumen’s network does not stand still. Continuous investment in the latest network technology is essential for keeping up with bandwidth demands today and into the future.”
Additional Resources:
About Lumen Technologies:
Lumen is unleashing the world’s digital potential. We ignite business growth by connecting people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. As the trusted network for AI, Lumen uses the scale of our network to help companies realize AI’s full potential. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, managed service, and digital platform capabilities, we meet our customers’ needs today and as they build for tomorrow.
SOURCE: Lumen Technologies
References:
Analysts weigh in: AT&T in talks to buy Lumen’s consumer fiber unit – Bloomberg
AT&T sets 1.6 Tbps long distance speed record on its white box based fiber optic network
China Telecom with ZTE demo single-wavelength 1.2T bps hollow-core fiber transmission system over 100T bps
AT&T sets 1.6 Tbps long distance speed record on its white box based fiber optic network
AT&T claims it achieved a long distance world record top speed of 1.6Tb/s over a single wavelength across 296 km of its long haul fiber optic network (spanning Newark, New Jersey to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania). That is four times faster than its current top speed of 400Gb/s per wavelength!
The 1.6Tb/s wavelength carried two IEEE 802.3df-2024 standard-based 800 Gigabit Ethernet end-to-end circuits, an industry first. It is a full, uninterrupted data path utilizing a single light frequency across the entire fiber length between two endpoints. The single-carrier 1.6 Tb/s wavelength was transported alongside existing live customer traffic on 100Gb/s and 400Gb/s wavelengths.
Open-sourced white box switches were the network equipment used during the trial. The white boxes are designed using the Broadcom Jericho3 packet processor chip and can provide up to 18 x 800G network interface ports all within a 2RU platform. The (Israel based) DriveNets Network Cloud software-based solution is hardware-agnostic and runs open APIs on the white boxes to perform data and control plane functions, including routing at 800G. The use of white boxes and the disaggregation of the hardware and software control costs and facilitate faster innovation.
The two 800GbE signals from the white box were multiplexed to 1.6 Tb/s in Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 Extreme coherent optical transponder, which is the first coherent optical solution to use a 200Gbaud design and 3nm coherent DSP ASIC and to reach speeds up to 1.6 Tb/s on a single carrier. The WL6e technology reduces the space and power per transmitted bit by 50% compared to current 800G transponders. This trial is the first to demonstrate WL6e at 1.6Tb/s with standards compliant 800GbE clients.
In the Newark and Philadelphia offices, 800G DR8 pluggable transceivers from Coherent were installed in the white box router and WL6e transponder to create the cross-office connectivity between the packet and optical technologies. And 800GbE client signals, provided by Keysight’s AresOne-M 800GE testset, fed the white box through additional pairs of 800G DR8 pluggable client optics, allowing verification of end-to-end performance of the two 800GbE services from Newark to Philadelphia.
Quotes:
“Traffic on AT&T’s network continues to increase as consumers are using more connected devices,” said Mike Satterlee, vice president, Network Infrastructure and Services, AT&T. “We anticipate network traffic growth to double by 2028 and the technologies demonstrated in this trial will play a key role in AT&T’s continued efforts to keep up with increasing customer demand to send data, watch videos, and use streaming services.”
“This groundbreaking achievement with AT&T adds to a growing list of Ciena industry-firsts that push the boundaries of optical network speed and capacity,” said Dino DiPerna, senior vice president, Global Research and Development, Ciena. “Ciena’s WaveLogic 6 coherent optics will support AT&T’s next gen converged optical network and efforts to build a cloud-based and AI-ready network with greater scale, flexibility and efficiency.”
Verizon’s 1.6Tb/s on Metro Fiber Network:
AT&T’s announcement comes just a few months after arch-rival Verizon announced a 1.6 Tb/s milestone of its own. Verizon also, working with Ciena, achieved that peak speed on a single wavelength, but on its metro fiber (not long distance) network. Verizon is mainly looking to advance through M&A. Its proposed acquisition of Frontier Communications is still pending, with some Frontier shareholders insisting that the US$20 billion price tag undervalues the operator.
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AT&T has spent the past six months demonstrating that it aims to build its way to fiber domination. It rolled out fiber to around 600,000 premises in the 4th quarter of last year, taking its total fiber footprint to 28.9 million locations; it is shooting for 50 million by the end of 2029.
References:
https://about.att.com/story/2025/data-transport.html
https://www.business.att.com/products/wavelength-services.html
https://www.telecoms.com/fibre/at-t-touts-1-6-tbps-fibre-speed-milestone-as-us-battle-continues
AT&T Highlights: 5G mid-band spectrum, AT&T Fiber, Gigapower joint venture with BlackRock/disaggregation traffic milestone
Nokia, Windstream Wholesale and Colt complete world’s first ultra-fast 800GbE optical and IP service trial
China Telecom with ZTE demo single-wavelength 1.2T bps hollow-core fiber transmission system over 100T bps
T-Mobile posts impressive wireless growth stats in 2Q-2024; fiber optic network acquisition binge to complement its FWA business
Bell Canada buying Ziply Fiber for C$7 billion; will become 3rd largest fiber ISP in U.S.
