Speakers at “The Evolution for Next-Generation Optical Networks” workshop session at ECOC 2018 in Rome delivered a compelling vision of next-generation optical networks and how they will support cloud and 5G services. The presentations from experts at operators, equipment suppliers and academic institutions based in the US, China and Europe were very well received by the audience in a packed room with more than 200 attendees. Speakers covered a wide range of key topics, including: bandwidth growth; enhanced 200G via probabilistic constellation shaping; 400G and beyond single-carrier operation; optical integration; and machine learning in optical networks.
This workshop session was a fascinating insight into some of the latest developments for optical networks and I look forward to future sessions, including an ON2020 workshop being planned for the OFC 2019 show floor.