NEC Corporation launched a new 25Gb/s SFP28 bi-directional (BiDi) optical transceiver designed for 80km transmission, expanding its optical product portfolio. The new module enables high-speed bi-directional transmission over a single fiber, reducing deployment costs and simplifying installation for long-haul and metro applications. Commercial shipments are expected to begin at the end of November 2025.
NEC positioned the device as an upgrade path from 10Gb/s transceivers while avoiding the cost and complexity of 100Gb/s-class coherent solutions. By combining a high-output laser with a high-sensitivity receiver, the transceiver achieves a 30dB link budget, supporting deployment in networks with high fiber loss or dark fiber. Its use of WDM technology allows different wavelengths for upstream and downstream transmission on a single fiber, minimizing the number of fibers required and eliminating the need for additional relay equipment previously required for distances beyond 40km.
The 25G SFP28 BiDi is specified for 25.78Gb/s NRZ signals, with uplink at 1289nm and downlink at 1314nm. It supports industrial temperature operation (-40°C to +85°C) with maximum power consumption of 2.5W—approximately 20% lower than conventional designs using optical semiconductor amplifiers. The module is fully compatible with existing SFP ports, allowing seamless upgrades to higher capacity.
- Form factor: SFP28
- Bitrate: 25.78Gb/s (Ethernet signal)
- Wavelengths: 1289nm (uplink), 1314nm (downlink)
- Link budget: 30dB, supporting up to 80km
- Power consumption: 2.5W (Max., industrial temp range)
- Electrical/Optical interface: 25.78Gb/s NRZ
“Our 25G SFP28 80km BiDi addresses the growing demand for high-capacity and cost-effective network upgrades while delivering industry-leading energy efficiency,” said NEC.
🌐 Analysis
NEC’s introduction of the 25G SFP28 BiDi reflects demand for cost-efficient upgrades in mobile backhaul, regional interconnects, and data center links. While hyperscale networks are accelerating toward 100G and 400G coherent optics for backbone capacity, operators in regional and access networks continue to need affordable, long-reach 25G solutions. NEC’s emphasis on power efficiency and single-fiber operation directly addresses both operational cost concerns and sustainability goals. Competitors such as II-VI (now Coherent), Lumentum, and Eoptolink have also advanced long-reach 25G optics, highlighting an active market segment.
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