HELEN XENOS INTERVIEW
As global data demands and AI workloads continue to surge, coherent optics – from metro data centre interconnects to subsea backbone networks - have emerged as the cornerstone of next-generation connectivity. Optical Connections Editor Brian Dolby spoke with Ciena Senior Director of Portfolio Marketing Helen Xenos about the evolving role of coherent optics in Europe and beyond, outlining regional market differences and the impact of AI-drive demands. AN INTERVIEW WITH CIENA’S HELEN XENOS THE FUTURE OF COHERENT OPTICS IN EUROPE:
How does your approach to the European coherent optics market differ from other regional
HX Two major challenges facing many of our customers is the exponential growth of data, a factor of 20 times over the next 15 years, and mounting AI workload demands which are driving the need for new data centres close to power sources and the need for new connectivity to these locations. We see unprecedented demand for both performance-optimised
meaningful efficiency improvements and simplify deployment and operations. We design our products to support both current and future demands. Examples include platforms designed for machine- to-machine communications for scalable, volume deployments, photonic layer solutions that support multiple generations of coherent technology, and 1.6T coherent solutions that can efficiently transport both 400G and 800G clients across the longest links in the network.
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markets?
HX As a general rule, the link distances in Europe are shorter than we see in regions such as North and South America; with 500km- 1000km being the sweet spot for regional and national connections. Coherent pluggable transceiver performance is well suited to these distances, and we expect these to play a larger role in European networks as the operational challenges of multi-vendor, multilayer IP/Optical converged architectures are resolved. At the same time, Europe is a very diverse continent. Challenging routes in some Scandinavian countries and the numerous sea crossings in the region require the performance of embedded transponders - what we refer to as performance- optimised coherent optics. Performance- optimised coherent optics are also the preferred option for Pan-European wholesaler providers, who differentiate by offering the highest speed, highest capacity connectivity services. Through our regional presence in Europe, we align ourselves with the market’s unique priorities, thereby complementing and strengthening our global strategy.
coherent optics and coherent pluggables, as well as for our
programmable Reconfigurable Line system to address these new AI-driven connectivity demands. Network space, power and scalability requirements are driving the need for disruptive technology innovation moving forward. These are driving our continued investments in next generation coherent technology and photonic layer innovations to provide a step-level improvement in functional integration, density and capacity in future products.
What opportunities does Ciena identify in and around the data centre? As interconnect line rates increase, driven by the rapid growth of AI-driven and cloud
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HX
workloads, achieving the required performance and reach for optical interconnects inside and around the data centre will become increasingly challenging using traditional intensity modulated direct detect (IMDD) technology. In the coming years, we expect data rates within data centres to rapidly increase. Our fundamental expertise as a company lies in delivering the fastest data links in the world, so these data rate increases play right into our core competency. Here we see the opportunity to leverage our expertise in high-speed analogue and mixed signal design and introduce optimised 224G and 448G SerDes chiplets. These
How are customer demands influencing your approach to innovation? Customer demands shape every part of our innovation strategy. With data volumes and AI
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HX
workloads growing rapidly, our customers need a network backbone that can support large-scale capacity while remaining agile. We focus on bold, state-of-the-art technology investments that anticipate these evolving requirements, provide
What new AI-driven challenges have your customers identified and how are you addressing
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them?
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| ISSUE 42 | Q3 2025
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