What began as a technical conference focused on early fiber experiments has grown into a global forum that reflects – and often drives – the most important developments in optical networking. Since 1975, OFC has charted the evolution from Megabit-per-second transmission over multimode fiber to today’s Terabit-per-second globe-spanning networks.
The 50th anniversary is a moment to reflect on how far the industry has come – and to ask what comes next. The challenges ahead are considerable, but so is the pace of innovation.
AI’s dual role in optics
Artificial intelligence will be central to many OFC discussions, both as a driver of new network demands and as a tool to simplify operations. We’ll see continued focus on optical interconnects for AI clusters, but also on how AI can help automate, optimize and even ‘self-heal’ networks in real time.
Resilient infrastructure
With growing climate risks, geopolitical uncertainty and rising fiber density, network resilience is more critical than ever. Monitoring and sensing are evolving fast, and compact tools like Adtran’s ALM are making it easier to detect physical issues before they impact service, from fiber cuts to temperature anomalies.
IP-over-DWDM and scaling transport
Coherent ZR(+) pluggable transceivers and IPoDWDM will also be central to this year’s OFC. The optical line system is crucial to leveraging IPoDWDM and ZR(+) coherent pluggable innovations. It must enable IPoDWDM networks that are highly efficient, scalable and easy to operate without requiring deep optical expertise. Our recently launched FSP 3000 IP OLS has been designed to streamline IPoDWDM interconnects. This compact open line system (OLS) supports wavelengths up to 1.6Tbit/s, and – with zero-touch provisioning, automated procedures and integrated fiber monitoring technology – it helps operators scale efficiently with minimal operational complexity.
What we’re bringing to OFC 2025
We’re heading to San Francisco with a full lineup of demos and speaking sessions. On the show floor, visitors will be able to explore our latest innovations spanning high-capacity open optical networking, 50G PON, advanced fiber monitoring and innovative pluggable transceivers.
Among others, visitors will be able to see our recently launched FSP 3000 IP OLS, which in this demo will be delivering 100Gbit/s and 800Gbit/s wavelengths along with integrated power management and monitoring technologies in a compact 1RU form factor, as well as the AccessWave50™, our new auto-tunable SFP56 pluggable transceiver enabling seamless 5G mobile fronthaul evolution to 50Gbit/s.
Our FSP 3000 Core OLS will feature in both the OIF interoperability demo – showcasing multi-vendor coherent pluggable transceivers from 100Gbit/s to 800Gbit/s, including our 100ZR+ QSFP28 – and the OFCnet demo, which will connect Sunnyvale and San Francisco.
IP-over-DWDM, ZR+ pluggables and intelligent monitoring are redefining the optical edge.At our booth, visitors will also be able to see in action our ALM fiber monitoring platform, which provides compact, always-on visibility into fiber health, and our FSP 3000 M-Flex800™, our ZR/ZR+ host for IP-to-DWDM solutions leveraging 100Gbit/s to 800Gbit/s coherent pluggable technology.
Also, visitors shouldn’t miss the chance to see the latest additions to our MicroMux™ family: MicroMux™ Edge BiDi QSPF+ for bidirectional 10Gbit/s up to 40km and the MicroMux™ Quattro for 4x100G in a single QSFP-DD.
Across the conference program, Adtran experts will contribute to short courses, panels, workshops and technical sessions – covering everything from secure optical communications and quantum key distribution to high-capacity data center interconnects, autonomous service provisioning and self-healing, fiber sensing, optical transport SDN and next-gen access networks. With over 20 speaking and demo engagements throughout the week, our team will be sharing real-world insights on the future of optical networking.
The spirit of OFC
As always, OFC is about more than technology. It’s about the ideas that push boundaries – and the debates that spark new directions. We’re proud to be part of that journey and to be showcasing the ideas, insights and innovation that are defining the next era of optical networking.
Want to hear more about OFC’s legacy and what the future holds? In the latest episode of The Net Works podcast, Jörg-Peter Elbers and Roy Rubenstein join Gareth Spence to explore 50 years of optical innovation and share their insights on the big trends shaping OFC 2025. Listen now: https://soundcloud.com/thenetworks/24-50-years-of-optical-innovation-a-look-ahead-to-ofc-2025