EVENT FOCUS OFC 2026
SPOTLIGHTING OPTICAL INNOVATIONS FOR THE AI ERA OFC CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION 15 - 19 March 2026, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, California, USA The OFC Conference and Exhibition 2026 explores groundbreaking technologies, innovative optical networking solutions, specialty fibre products, optical components, devices, systems, test equipment and software.
THE TECHNICAL CONFERENCE OFC’s five-day technical conference has something for everyone. From interactive workshops and symposia to special sessions and tutorials. OFC offers an array of industry discussions from more than 120 invited speakers around hot topics like generative AI and ML for optical networking, subsea networks, data centre architectures, space optics, quantum communications and more. Esteemed industry luminaries from Coherent, NVIDIA and Tesat-Spacecom headline the event, exploring cutting- edge technologies, and providing invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of optical networking and communications. The conference’s Demo Zone features live demonstrations of research projects and proof-of-concept implementations in the space of optical communications devices, systems and networks. Demonstrations take place in dedicated booths in the Demo Zone as part of the OFC technical program. There has been a notable emphasis on energy efficiency to address the escalating power consumption challenges in data centres, particularly due to the increased capacity needs and the expansion of AI-driven applications. Look for special sessions, workshops, tutorials and invited speaker discussions that explore innovative technologies such as linear drive pluggable optics (LPO), co- packaged optics (CPO), optical switching and other emerging solutions aimed at reducing power consumption in optical interfaces within the network.
Market Watch This three-day series of panel discussions highlights the latest application topics and business issues in the field of optical communications. Presentations and panel sessions feature esteemed guest speakers from industry, research and the investment community. The Market Watch features presentations and panels on the state of the optical connections industry, enabling technologies of 1.6Tbps and beyond, advances in AI cluster interconnects, advanced packaging and co-packaging for efficient optical systems, and challenges in metro, access and mobile X-Haul. NETWORK OPERATOR SUMMIT The Network Operator Summit provides a dynamic programme, presenting the inside perspective from network operators and service providers, with insights on the challenges they face, business drivers and how network requirements impact the future of the industry. Everyone in the supply chain, from equipment to component manufacturers, will want to hear what’s next in meeting the demand of our industry’s network operators. The summit kick offs with a keynote from Telefónica CTO Cayetano Carbajo Martin on the future of global networks and the opportunities and challenges operators face. It also features panels on realising IP over DWDM, how operators are rethinking on long-haul and carrier networks, and a Network Operator Briefing where operators share their insights on the latest industry trends and emerging technologies highlighted at OFC.
The optical communications event brings together more than 700 industry leading companies to share pioneering trends and critical global issues defining the industry’s trajectory. This includes quantum networking, artificial intelligence (AI), space optics and data centre connectivity. THE EXHIBITION – A GLOBAL SHOWCASE FOR INNOVATION The event hosts three show floor theatres, which features presentations from experts across major global brands and key industry organisations. The networking-focused programme provides valuable insights into current market trends and emerging technologies. Market Watch, the Network Operator Summit and the Data Center Summit offer perspectives from industry leaders and experts in the field, highlighting the industry’s current environment and its future. Data Centre Summit The Data Centre Summit programme focusses on next generation optical technologies for intra and/or inter data centre connectivity. The programme explores how evolving data centre requirements and challenges are shaping equipment choices, technology adoption, application designs and real-world deployment scenarios. The summit spotlights how optical innovation underpins the next era of cloud and AI infrastructure. This includes panel discussions and keynotes on insights into the future of cloud and AI infrastructure, the challenges and opportunities for DCI in the AI era, and challenges in scaling AI clusters for future growth.
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ISSUE 43 | Q1 2026
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