Nokia launches optical solutions optimized for AI-era network demands
Nokia introduced a range of optical networking products tailored to meet the demands introduced by increased Artificial Intelligence (AI) data traffic. These developments are designed to accommodate diverse application needs and improve network efficiency while aiming at cost reductions.
Growing AI traffic and Data Center Interconnect (DCI) needs have exceeded what incremental advancements of previous technologies can manage. As application requirements vary, solutions that fit specific performance, reach, and efficiency profiles are necessary. Nokia's offerings focus on application-specific optimization to enhance transport performance and streamline operations.
The company unveiled a modular approach to coherent optical transport, featuring digital signal processors and optical front ends using Indium Phosphide and Silicon Photonics. This strategy enables assembling technologies catered to distinct network functions, delivering a coherent optical transport suite with options ranging from 1.6T to 3.2T capacity pluggables, full-band transponders, and embedded transponders designed to optimize fiber capacity and power usage.
In addition, Nokia introduced a new multi-rail in-line amplifier geared for multi-fiber setups. This amplifier can support up to 160 fiber pairs in a single rack, representing a 40-fold density increase compared to prior solutions, which assists network operators in scaling services and capacity within existing footprints.
David Heard, President of Network Infrastructure at Nokia, said, “The industry is at a critical inflection point, requiring a whole new dimension of scale, trust and innovation. At Nokia, we are connecting intelligence by leveraging our unmatched global scale, deep vertical integration, and a co-creation model with our customer base. The result is trusted solutions that drive the best economics, lowest power and AI-enabled efficiency to advance connectivity for the AI era.” Ron Johnson, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Optical Networks at Nokia, stated, “With the industry’s highest level of vertical integration and in-house manufacturing capabilities, Nokia is uniquely positioned to provide innovative solutions for our customers. Our building block approach to solution development will enable us to provide application optimized solutions for our customers improving scalability and simplifying operations while driving down cost, power and space per bit.” Kyle Hollasch, Lead Analyst, Transport Hardware at Cignal AI, added, “AI is fundamentally changing optical networks — the connectivity demands are unprecedented. Hyperscalers, service providers, and enterprises are each investing heavily in network infrastructure, but with distinct deployment models and performance requirements that cannot be efficiently addressed with a one-size-fits-all approach. Nokia's innovative building-block approach to optical engine development and its vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities positions it to meet the wide range of power, performance, and economic demands driven by the AI supercycle.”
Nokia plans to begin sampling the new coherent optical solutions in mid-2027, with General Availability (GA) expected later that year. The multi-rail optical line system will become available in the second half of 2026.