The 2025 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) will spotlight more than 600 global exhibitors – from global technology leaders to emerging innovators – Exhibition: 01 – 03 April (Technical Conference: 30 March – 03 April) in San Francisco’s Moscone Center.
OFC is the ultimate platform for showcasing innovations and groundbreaking applications that redefine connectivity. With increased capacity demands for data centers and the rise of AI-driven applications, the industry is increasingly focused on energy consumption and sustainability. OFC’s exhibitors represent the full spectrum of the optical communications supply chain, driving advancements that transform technology and contributing to a more sustainable and connected future.
Innovations in Optical Networking, Quantum Technologies and AI-driven Connectivity
Through live demonstrations, interactive exhibits and in-depth discussions with industry experts, OFC 2025’s exhibition will offer a dynamic look into the future of optical communications and networking. Leading global brands will showcase groundbreaking optical components, devices, systems, specialty fiber products, software and testing equipment and more.
OFC is an event that highlights established leaders shaping the industry’s trajectory and the startups driving innovation. Each plays a critical role in advancing transformative solutions to global challenges such as quantum networking, artificial intelligence (AI), space optics and data center connectivity.
“OFC has always been the cornerstone of innovation for the optical networking community,” said Elaine Wong, University of Melbourne, Australia, OFC General Chair. “This year’s exhibitor lineup underscores our commitment to providing a space where technology pioneers and industry leaders converge to shape the future of global communications, with a renewed focus on sustainability and energy-efficient solutions that address the industry’s most pressing challenges.”
Leading brands such as Cambridge Industries USA, Inc., CIENA Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., Coherent Corp, Corning Incorporated, Go!Foton, Infinera, Lumentum, Marvell, Semtech Corporation and TeraHop US Inc. will showcase innovations in key areas like 800G, 1.6 Terabit technology, Coherent PON, Linear Pluggable Optics (LPO) and multicore fiber, making OFC 2025 the ultimate destination for collaboration, exploration and the emergence of practical solutions.
OFCnet: Live Demonstrations That Push Boundaries
At the heart of the event is OFCnet, a unique live high-speed optical network connecting exhibitor booths with research networks such as CENIC, Internet2 and ESnet. Introduced in 2022 and developed in collaboration with partners including CENIC, Ciena and Lumen, OFCnet enables attendees to experience cutting-edge advancements in real-world conditions. Catalyzing collaboration between exhibitors, research laboratories and commercial ventures, OFCnet showcases the latest innovations, from research breakthroughs to commercial deployment, highlighting their critical roles in advancing the evolution of optical networking.
Featured demos include:
- Quantum Networking: Experience secure, ultra-fast data transmission in action, unlocking the future of communications.
- AI-Powered Optimization: Learn how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing network management and efficiency.
- Interoperability at Scale: See seamless communication across network elements, showcasing solutions for real-world challenges.
- Big Data Meets Big Science: Explore how advanced optical technologies are transforming data-intensive industries, from scientific research to high-performance computing.
More information on the demonstrations is here.
This year’s OFCnet features equipment and services provided by Adtran, Astound, CENIC, Ciena, Cisco, Corning, ESnet, EXFO, Huber + Suhner, Internet2, Juniper Networks, Lumen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Utah Education Network and Viavi.
“OFCnet is at the forefront of innovation, enabling seamless 400Gbps to 1.6Tbps WAN services provisioned across multiple optical domains over OFCnet’s network infrastructure, that extends to external telecom facilities,” said Sana Bellamine, 2025 Chair, OFCnet. “Additionally, OFCnet demonstrates real-time advancements in telemetry, picosecond-level precision timing and quantum networking, including quantum repeaters in support of secure communication. OFCnet’s fiber sensing setup in the Bay Area highlights its collaborative efforts with industry and research partners, providing a valuable dataset that has the potential to drive breakthroughs in specific science disciplines such as seismology. This is all made possible by the talented multi-disciplinary OFCnet team and our visionary partners.”
Expert Perspectives at OFC 2025 Show Floor Theaters
Market Watch, the Network Operator Summit, and the Data Center Summit, which will be held in the show floor theaters, will offer perspectives from industry leaders and experts, highlighting the industry’s current environment and future prospects.
Innovation Through Interoperability: Live Demonstrations at OFC 2025
Interoperability demonstrations, led by organizations such as Ethernet Alliance, OIF and Open ROADM, will showcase breakthrough technologies and the latest industry standards. The live demonstrations will span a range of technology areas, including 800G solutions, OpenZR+ optics, energy-efficient interfaces and Common Management Interface Specification (CMIS) implementations.
Advancing Energy-Efficient Solutions for Data Centers and AI Applications
A growing focus on energy efficiency will be evident at OFC 2025, with solutions addressing the escalating power consumption challenges in data centers, mainly due to increased capacity demands and the rise of AI-driven applications. Technology demonstrations, product launches and theater programming will explore innovations like linear drive pluggable optics (LPO), co-packaged optics (CPO), optical switching and other emerging solutions designed to reduce power consumption in optical interfaces within the network.
About OFC
The 2025 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) is the premier conference and exhibition for optical communications and networking professionals. For 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. OFC will be held in-person, 30 March – 03 April 2025, at the Moscone Center, San Francisco, California, USA, with on-demand access to content available post-conference. All technical sessions, workshops, panels and exhibit floor sessions—with speaker permission—will be accessible to Full Conference registrants.
Learn more and engage on LinkedIn, follow @OFCConference on X and watch highlights on OFC’s YouTube channel.
