18 Mar 2026
14:30 - 15:30
Expo Theater II
The rapid acceleration of AI workloads is fundamentally reshaping data center architectures and driving unprecedented demand for high-bandwidth, power-efficient, and low-latency connectivity. To support this demand, data center connectivity is evolving rapidly across the key connectivity applications: scale-up, scale-out, scale-across, and data center interconnection (DCI):
- Scale Up is within a single rack inside a data center
- Scale Out between racks within a single data center
- Scale Across is between different data center buildings
- DCI is the connections between data centers
Each of these applications represents significant growth opportunities, with industry analysts projecting the data center switch market alone to approach $6 billion by 2030 as operators re-architect networks to meet AI-driven performance requirements.
This panel will examine evolving optical technologies enabling this unprecedented growth, from advanced coherent optical engines to innovations in direct detect technologies such as linear pluggable optics (LPO) and co-packed optics (CPO). In addition to high-speed optical solutions, we will explore the broader migration from copper to fiber-based technologies and the implications for performance, power, and scalability. Attendees will gain practical insight into the trends, challenges, and technology choices shaping the next generation of data center connectivity.
Another key development that the DCI space will benefit from is the emergence of hollow core fiber (HCF), an optical waveguide that transmits light through an air- or vacuum-filled core rather than solid glass, enabling roughly 50% faster signal propagation and 33% lower latency. This technology reduces signal distortion and increases power handling for applications in data centers, high-frequency trading and AI.
Technology showcase sponsored by Lightwave. Visit booth 5361
Moderator
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Sean Buckley
Lightwave, Editor In Chief, United States
Speakers
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Jason Eichenholtz
founder and CEO, Relativity Networks,
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Julia Larikova
VP Product Line Management, Nokia,
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Mario Simard
product line manager, VIAVI Solutions,
Presented By
