PRESS RELEASE
24 January 2024
Contact:
Media@ofcconference.org
OFC 2024 Technical Conference & Show Floor Business Programming to Feature Product Developments and Research in AI/Machine Learning and Network Analytics, Quantum Networking, Data Center Connectivity and More
Conference to welcome over 13,000 participants from 74 countries
SAN DIEGO— The 2024 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition (OFC) will feature a five-day technical conference and three days of business programming, unveiling the breakthrough research, advancements and product launches advancing the global optical networking and communications industry. As the industry-defining event, OFC will convene in a hybrid format, offering both in-person and virtual components from 24-28 March 2024, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, USA.
OFC’s technical educational programming will explore how advances in networking are powering the future of science, education and optical communication through two special sessions, three symposia, 12 workshops and nine panel discussions. OFC global speakers will tackle hot topics ranging from quantum networking; network analytics technologies like machine learning and AI; advancements in satellite networks, PONs, multi-core, hollow-core and ultra-low loss fibers; integrated optics and more.
“OFC continues to be the one event that defines the pace of the market by bringing together thought leaders and solution providers that drive the industry,” said OFC General Chairs Chris Fludger, Infinera; Roland Ryf, Nokia Bell Labs; and Dimitra Simeonidou, Univ. of Bristol, UK. “We have already seen an increase in the number of papers submitted and exhibitors over last year and we anticipate attendee numbers to follow. This increase is a great indicator of the importance of OFC to the technical community driving the research and development to move the industry forward.”
As the foremost conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals, OFC sets the industry standard and offers a wide range of programming, catering to diverse attendee needs, from in-depth technical sessions to high-level business strategies.
The OFC plenary program, featuring Anita Döhler, CEO, NGMN Alliance; Inder Monga, Executive Director, ESnet and Scientific Networking Division Director, Berkeley Lab; and David Richardson, Partner Researcher, Microsoft is scheduled for Tuesday, 26 March 2024, 08:00-10:00 UTC.
OFC 2024 Technical Programming Highlights
OFC’s comprehensive technical programming—from research to marketplace, from components to systems and networks and from technical sessions to the exhibition—draws global attendees to meet and greet, teach and learn, make connections and move the industry forward.
OFC’s comprehensive educational programming features more than 120 invited speakers, 12 workshops and 9 panel discussions:
The panels provide an interactive learning environment and are open to all conference registrants.
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The OFC workshops provide opportunities to discuss and debate the latest technologies, including coherent receivers, generative AI, neural networks, S-Band, coherent optics, optical photonic innovation, QKD networks, among other topics.
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The OFC panel discussions feature executives, technical experts, academia, media and analysts as they tackle the latest in the role of optics for space communication, beyond 5G networks, wideband optical amplifiers, data center technologies, technologies for AI/ML clusters and more.
OFC’s Free Show Floor Business Programming
OFC’s business-focused show floor programming, 26-28 March 2024, features presentations by experts from major global brands and key industry organizations, and provides participants with high-level perspectives on hot topics like intra and inter data center connectivity, infrastructure and machine learning/automation. Encompassing three theaters, these programs—Market Watch, the Network Operator Summit and the Data Center Summit will address the state of the industry, emerging trends and recommended courses of action for how to tackle today’s toughest business challenges.
OFCnet: OFC’s Live High-speed Optical Network
In addition to the five days of technical conference sessions featuring peer-reviewed presentations and invited speakers, OFC will offer live interoperability demonstrations conducted by leading optics companies running over OFCnet. OFC’s live high-speed optical network facilitates booth-to-booth fiber connectivity for on-site optical demonstrations and connects CENIC (the Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California) to the OFC exhibition. This connectivity creates fresh avenues for exhibitors collaborating with affiliated academic institutions to showcase advancements and capabilities within a live, fully operational network environment in real-time.
“In 2023, 19 organizations came together to support large-scale optical networking demonstrations with nine companies contributing equipment to extend the reach of the demonstrations across multiple booths,” added OFC General Chairs. “Now in 2024, OFCnet will showcase 30 live demonstrations creating a unique platform to showcase innovation.”
Registration: This year’s conference will continue to offer a hybrid format, accommodating both in-person and virtual participating 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.