PRESS RELEASE
20 February 2024
Contact:
Media@ofcconference.org
OFC 2024: More Than 600 Industry-Leading Companies Will Showcase the Trends Defining Optical Networking and Data Center Communications
OFC’s live high-speed optical network, OFCnet, allows live collaborations between research laboratories and commercial ventures
SAN DIEGO– The 2024 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition (OFC), the world's largest annual gathering for optical networking and communications, is set to welcome more than 600 exhibiting companies, 13,000 attendees from 74 countries, and host hundreds of sessions featuring industry-recognized and invited speakers. OFC, scheduled for 24-28 March 2024 (Exhibition: 26 March - 28 March) at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, serves as a dynamic hub where the industry comes together to showcase groundbreaking technologies, explore market trends and network with experts and peers.
This global event serves as the platform for startups to make their debut and industry leaders to set the pace for the future, including unveiling the pioneering trends that will define the industry’s future and provide solutions to the most critical global issues like quantum networking, artificial intelligence (AI) and data-center connectivity.
“OFC 2024 promises to be an exceptional event, brimming with announcements and advancements that will define the trajectory of our networking landscape, both in the present and the future. It is a true testament to the industry's innovation,” said OFC General Chairs Chris Fludger, Infinera; Roland Ryf, Nokia Bell Labs; and Dimitra Simeonidou, University of Bristol, U.K. “The groundbreaking OFCnet platform further propels us into the realm of optical networking excellence. These exhibits serve as the vital bridge between the research and discoveries discussed in technical sessions and the real-world solutions that will shape our connectivity.”
The OFC Exhibition: A Showcase for New Products
The OFC Exhibition is the epicenter of innovation for the optical networking market, bringing together exhibitors representing the entire supply chain of optical communications and networking. Hundreds of companies will unveil the industry’s most innovative optical components, devices, systems, test equipment, software and specialty fiber products.
Show Floor Business Programming
OFC 2024’s business-focused show-floor programming will offer participants expert insights into current market trends, new technologies and the future of the industry. Market Watch, the Network Operator Summit and the Data Center Summit will provide valuable perspectives on the industry’s current environment, emerging technologies and the inside perspective from service providers and network operators.
Interoperability Demonstrations
Leading organizations, including Ethernet Alliance, OIF and Open ROADM, will host discussions and live demonstrations on breakthrough technologies and industry interoperability efforts. These demonstrations will span a range of technology areas, including various Ethernet standards (25GbE, 50GbE, 100GbE, 200GbE, 400GbE, and 800GbE); an OpenROADM MSA compliant optical transport network; 800ZR, 400ZR and OpenZR+ optics; energy efficient interfaces (EEI) & co-packaging; Common Electrical I/O (CEI) channels and Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) implementations.
OFCnet: A Platform for the Future of Optical Networking
Introduced in 2022, OFCnet is an innovative, high-capacity network that provides connectivity between exhibit floor booths and external sites.The live, high-speed optical network enables collaboration opportunities for exhibitors with research and education institutions to demonstrate products, concepts, solutions, research and architectures. Designed to bring emerging technologies to the forefront of the industry, OFCnet 2024 will feature expanded quantum demonstrations highlighting technologies from the research laboratory to commercial deployment.
“As participation and support for OFCnet continues to grow year after year, the platform’s importance to the OFC community becomes increasingly evident,” said Marc Lyonnais, Director of External Research at Ciena and OFCnet Chair. “OFCnet introduces a fresh dimension to the exhibition. A heightened focus on designing and constructing the next generation of optical networks positions OFCnet as a driving force, bringing emerging technologies such as quantum computer networks, programmability, and network software for big data applications to the forefront of the industry.”
This year’s participants include Anritsu; AUREA; CESnet/CzechLight; Ciena/FABRIC/SDSC; Ciena/ID Quantique; Ciena/Toshiba; F5; ICAIR/Northwestern University; Internet2; NEC/Verizon/OFS; Nokia/ID Quantique; NTT Labs; Nucrypt/Quantum Opus; Open ROADM MSA; QuNett/University of Maryland; Qunnect; QTI; Ribbon; San Diego Supercomputer Center; University of Amsterdam; University of Bristol and Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN).
OFCnet is a collaborative effort involving CENIC (Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California) and Lumen.
“With a long history of excellence, OFC continues to be the preeminent conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals,” added OFC Chairs. “OFC 2024 promises to deliver unparalleled insights, networking opportunities, and access to the latest technologies, reaffirming its status as the must-attend event in the field.”
Registration: This year’s conference will continue to offer a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and virtual participation to cater to the diverse needs of a global audience. Registration is now open for the event.
Media Registration Information: Credentialed media and analysts who wish to cover OFC can find registration and other essential information in the OFC media room.
About OFC
The 2024 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) is the premier conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals. For nearly 50 years, OFC has drawn attendees from all corners of the globe to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move business forward.
OFC includes dynamic business programming, an exhibition of global companies and high impact peer-reviewed research that, combined, showcase the trends that are shaping the entire optical networking and communications industry. OFC is co-sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society (IEEE/ComSoc) and the IEEE Photonics Society and co-sponsored and managed by Optica (formerly OSA). OFC in 2024 will be presented in a hybrid format with in-person and virtual components and will take place 24-28 March 2024 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, USA.
Learn more and engage on LinkedIn, follow @OFCConference on X (formerly Twitter) and watch highlights on OFC YouTube.