In this episode, we talked to two experts who are driving innovation and collaboration in the optical networking industry from the Optical Internetworking Forum:

Nathan Tracy, president of OIF

and

Jeff Hutchins, OIF Secretary/Treasurer & Physical and Link Layer (PLL) Working Group Energy Efficient Interfaces (EEI) Vice Chair (Ranovus)

We talked about OIF's activities during the OFC 2025 tradeshow and its efforts to drive new network collaboration and interoperability among a diverse group of industry players, the AI boom and network management platforms like CMIS.

About the Podcast 

In this latest episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we speak with Terry Thorn, Vice President of Commercial Operations for Ayar Labs.

Ayar has been developing new optical I/O systems to accommodate new AI models, which are expected to grow exponentially. Optical I/O technology can enhance link density within and across nodes. Optical I/O enables nodes to connect at scale, unlike traditional interconnects, functioning as a single, giant GPU.

The company has been getting the attention of key investors, including Advent Global Opportunities, AMD, Intel Capital, Light Street Capital and NVIDIA.

In March, the company unveiled its Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express™ (UCIe™), an optical interconnect chiplet to maximize AI infrastructure performance and efficiency while reducing latency and power consumption.

During this podcast, we discussed how Ayar sees the next-gen optical I/O technologies space shaping up this year, funding, company developments, and the role of co-packaged optics.

About the Podcast 

Broadband Pulse is tracking new broadband build-out developments in this new weekly news roundup series. 

We're tracking new builds from various providers, including Comcast, Fidium, Glo Fiber, Kinetic, Lyte Fiber, Metronet, Right Fiber and Surf Internet..

You can also read about these deployments in Lightwave+BTR's weekly Building Broadband feature on our website, www.lighwaveonline.com. 

In this episode of Lightwave+BTR's vshow daily podcast for Day Three of OFC 2025, we looked at the following key trends and news headlines: 

About the Podcast 

In Lightwave+BTR's daily podcast for Day Three of OFC 2025, we tracked various trends and news from the show, including: 

Retym raises 180 million to drive AI Infrastructure Innovation

Ciena, HyperLight and McGill University trial 3.2 terabits, 448 Gigabits per lane IMDD 2km transmission

Open ROADM multi-source agreement members demonstrated an 800G pluggable ROADM link

Lightwave+BTR examines the marriage of AI and optical networking

About the Podcast 

In the first episode Lightwave+BTR's daily podcast for Day One of OFC 2025, we're breaking down the key announcements, presentations, and conversations at the San Francisco show.

Some of the highlights of the day included: 

Quantum takes center stage at OFC 2025

LPO MSA releases Linear Pluggable Optical Modules specification

OIF celebrates optical industry interoperability at OFC

Ethernet Alliance unites around Ethernet innovation and interoperability at OFC 2025

2025 Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews Honorees

About the Podcast 

In this latest episode of the Broadband Pulse podcast, we speak with Sev Sadura, VP of product management at Belden.

Belden has been going through a transition. The company, well-known in the optical and broadband arenas as a supplier of cabling and other infrastructure, has recently completed its acquisition of Precision Optical Technologies.

Precision brings several things into the Belden fold. For one, Belden can leverage Precision Optical Technologies’ optical transceiver capabilities to grow its solutions offerings in the Enterprise Solutions segment and broadband markets.

Also, Belden strengthens its broadband capabilities with Precision’s PON expertise. The combination of Belden fiber and network products with Precision’s capabilities will now feature enhanced PON components, positioning them more prominently in the fiber network. This enhancement will enable additional use cases and opportunities for MSOs, telcos, data centers, and enterprise customers.

Precision’s PON Extender for XGS-PON, an optical module designed for passive and low-noise extended PON links, received a 4.5 score on Lightwave+BTR’s 2025 Innovation Awards.  

Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:

Opening | 0.00

Host introduction of guests | 0:20

State of the broadband market| 1:21

The new presidential administration’s potential influence on broadband policy| 3:33

Broadband customers’ key concerns| 4:48

Fiber versus wireless broadband investments| 9:53

Labor and workforce challenges| 12:13

Final thoughts/Closing | 15:17

About the Podcast 

Dave Stehlin, CEO of TIA addresses new opportunities for broadband under the new presidential administration. 

Stehlin is a veteran of the telecommunications and broadband industry. Earlier in his career, he led two pioneering Ethernet startups: Ceterus Networks and later Overture Networks.

He was also a proud member of our country's service. Before coming into the networking industry, Dave was a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Here's a timeline of the interview's key moments:

Opening | 0.00

Host introduction of guests | 0:20

TIA’s activities and plans for 2025? | 1:01

The new presidential administration’s proposed tariff policies. | 2:50

The Rip and Replace program, which reimburses smaller telecom providers for replacing Huawei and ZTE equipment in their networks | 4:50

New proposals to accelerate the BEAD program | 6:30

Build America Buy America | 10:43

Ensuring security in broadband networks | 11:58

Financial and policy support for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) | 16:09

Final thoughts/Closing | 19:08

About the Podcast 

Broadband Pulse is tracking new broadband build-out developments in this new weekly news roundup series. 

We're tracking new builds from various providers, including BroadbandOne, eX² Technology, Fidium, GoNetspeed, HyperFiber, Intrepid Fiber, Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) and Vero Networks.

You can also read about these deployments in our Lightwave+BTR's weekly Building Broadband feature on our website at www.lighwaveonline.com. 

Broadband Pulse is tracking new broadband build-out developments in this new weekly news roundup series. 

We're tracking new builds from various providers, including Comcast, Fidium, ImOn Communications, Lumos, Nexstream, and Vero Fiber.

You can also read about these deployments in our weekly Building Broadband feature on our website at www.lighwaveonline.com.