Driven by the exponential growth in parameter sizes of AI large models, demand for optical communications from AI computing infrastructure has surged. As the critical bridge connecting computing power and end applications, optical communications is entering a new era defined by ultra-high speed, high energy efficiency, full-optical implementation and intelligence.

Global enterprises continue to ramp up investment in AI infrastructure, with optical devices & modules, optical chips and advanced fibers emerging as high-growth segments. According to IDC, global AI infrastructure spending will exceed $100 billion by 2028. LightCounting forecasts that the global Ethernet optical module market will reach $18.9 billion in 2026 (up 35% year-on-year) and surpass $35 billion by 2030, with 800G and 1.6T high-speed optical modules dominating the market.

Remarkable technological breakthroughs have been achieved across optical communications subsectors in recent years. Silicon photonics has overcome conventional bottlenecks, becoming the preferred technology for high-speed optical modules and CPO. 1.6Tbps per-wavelength transmission has been commercialized, with 2.4Tbps coherent technology scheduled for mass production in 2027. Hollow-core fibers, breaking physical limits of traditional solid-core fibers, are accelerating large-scale deployment. F5G-A drives the migration from gigabit to 10G access networks; CPO/NPO/LPO and all-optical switching technologies mature rapidly. Breakthroughs in optoelectronic convergence including silicon photonic integration and thin-film lithium niobate chips further improve system performance and reduce power consumption. Emerging 6G R&D and diversified scenarios such as industrial internet also fuel demand for high-speed, low-latency optical networks.

In 2026, AI computing investment remains the core driving force of the optical communications market. Demand for high-speed optical modules continues to boom, while optical interconnect technologies evolve rapidly. CPO, LPO and OCS are gradually deployed, becoming foundational supports for large-scale AI clusters.Nevertheless, the industry still faces multiple challenges: the transmission limit of conventional optical fibers awaits breakthroughs; chip integration and fiber loss control remain key technical priorities. Inconsistent equipment interface standards hinder industrial collaboration; technical barriers persist in core CPO patents and advanced processes. The 10G optical network industry chain lacks maturity, with prominent conflicts between cost and scale effects.

In this context, CIOE, along with the optical communication industry chain, is hosting the 2026 Information and Communication Industry Development Forum. The forum will focus on hot topics such as high-capacity long-haul optical transmission, intelligent upgrading of 10G optical networks, optical interconnects for AI computing clusters, silicon photonics and optoelectronic co-packaging. CIOE looks forward to gathering global elites from industry, academia, research and application sectors to explore technological innovation, practical deployment and industrial collaboration, empowering optical communications to serve as the core engine for high-quality development of the digital economy.

Organizer

China International Optoelectronic Exposition 

Optical Communication Committee of China Institute of Communications

Consulting Group of Transmission and Access Network of Telecommunication Science and Technology Committee of MIIT

Technology Standard Research Institute of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology

Cooperation

Photonics Society of Chinese Heritage (PSC)                   

Guidance

China Mobile                   China Telecom                   China Unicom

Media Partner

C114                   Optical Communication PRO