Nokia Unveils Next-Generation Optical Transport Technologies Designed for Hyperscale AI and Cloud Infrastructure

Nokia Unveils Next-Generation Optical Transport Technologies Designed for Hyperscale AI and Cloud Infrastructure

(IN BRIEF) Nokia has unveiled a new range of optical networking innovations designed to support the massive connectivity requirements driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing and hyperscale data centers. The company’s new suite of application-optimized coherent optical transport solutions introduces a modular building-block development approach using advanced digital signal processors and optical technologies. The portfolio includes multiple high-capacity coherent pluggable solutions ranging from 1.6T to 3.2T as well as new full-band transponders and embedded transponder technologies that improve fiber capacity and operational efficiency. Nokia also introduced a multi-rail in-line amplifier designed for multi-fiber networks, capable of supporting up to 160 fiber pairs in a single rack, significantly increasing network density while reducing space and infrastructure requirements. The innovations aim to help network operators scale infrastructure for AI-era data traffic while lowering power consumption, simplifying operations and reducing total cost of ownership. Nokia is showcasing these developments at the OFC conference in Los Angeles as part of its broader strategy to advance optical networking for next-generation digital infrastructure.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 16-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia has introduced a new portfolio of optical networking technologies aimed at addressing the rapidly growing data traffic and connectivity requirements created by the expansion of artificial intelligence workloads and hyperscale data centers. The company says the new solutions are designed to improve network performance and efficiency while reducing operational complexity and lowering total cost of ownership by as much as 70 percent.

The latest innovations focus on application-optimized coherent optical transport technologies that can adapt to a wide range of networking environments. As AI-driven applications expand and data center interconnect traffic continues to rise, operators are increasingly seeking networking solutions tailored to specific performance, reach and energy efficiency requirements rather than relying on incremental upgrades to traditional systems.

Nokia’s new architecture introduces a modular development model built around reusable technology building blocks. These components include several new digital signal processors and optical front-end technologies developed using indium phosphide and silicon photonics. The modular design allows different optical networking solutions to be assembled more efficiently across multiple use cases while optimizing cost, power consumption and space requirements.

David Heard said the networking industry is entering a period of major transformation as artificial intelligence places unprecedented demands on connectivity infrastructure. He noted that Nokia’s vertically integrated development capabilities and close collaboration with customers enable the company to deliver solutions that improve performance while also optimizing power consumption and operational efficiency.

The new portfolio includes several coherent optical transport technologies designed for different deployment scenarios. These include a 1.6-terabit coherent pluggable optimized for IP over DWDM data center interconnect applications, as well as a 2.4-terabit pluggable solution designed for thin transponder deployments supporting terrestrial and subsea networks. Nokia is also introducing a 3.2-terabit coherent lite solution optimized for shorter-distance applications such as campus and enterprise networks.

Additional innovations include a new class of double-sided pluggables designed to integrate with emerging switch architectures such as CPO-, LPO-, and NPO-based systems, enabling scalable connectivity across campus, metro and regional networks. Nokia is also launching full-band transponders that consolidate hundreds of optical components into a single platform designed for high-capacity environments such as hyperscale data centers and long-haul network deployments.

The company also announced embedded transponder solutions capable of delivering 2.4-terabit and 3.2-terabit performance levels. These technologies are intended to maximize fiber capacity in scenarios where fiber infrastructure is limited or difficult to expand.

Alongside the coherent transport solutions, Nokia introduced a new multi-rail in-line amplifier designed for multi-fiber network architectures. As network operators deploy multiple fiber pairs to increase bandwidth capacity, space constraints in amplifier sites have become a growing challenge. Nokia’s new amplifier significantly increases density, allowing operators to support up to 160 fiber pairs within a single rack—up to 40 times the capacity of many existing systems.

This approach enables network operators to expand services and bandwidth capacity while minimizing additional physical infrastructure and operational complexity.

Ron Johnson said the rapid growth of AI and cloud services is reshaping the telecommunications industry. With strong vertical integration and in-house manufacturing capabilities, Nokia aims to help operators scale their networks more efficiently while reducing power consumption, space requirements and cost per transmitted bit.

Industry analysts have also noted the shift in network architecture. Kyle Hollasch said the increasing diversity of AI and cloud networking workloads means that service providers, enterprises and hyperscale companies require more specialized infrastructure rather than a single standardized approach.

Nokia is presenting its latest optical networking strategy and innovations during the OFC Conference in Los Angeles, where company executives will discuss the future of optical transport technologies for AI-era networks.

Sampling of the new coherent optical solutions is expected to begin in mid-2027, with general availability anticipated in the second half of 2027. The multi-rail optical line system is expected to become available in the second half of 2026.

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SOURCE: Nokia