OIF convened its Q2 2025 Technical and Market Awareness & Education (MA&E) Committees Meeting in Tallinn, Estonia, advancing key implementation agreements (IAs) that directly support the scaling of next-generation optical networks. The session featured robust technical collaboration on Coherent CMIS (C-CMIS) 1.4 and Flex Ethernet 3.0, along with a strategic discussion on 448Gbps electrical signaling for AI workloads. A highlight of the event was a keynote by Telia Estonia’s Tarko Tikan, who presented Telia’s blueprint for building a secure, autonomous national IP/MPLS network.
OIF also recapped its interoperability demo at OFC 2025, reviewed ecosystem feedback from its 448Gbps AI Workshop, and looked ahead to its next showcase at ECOC. These meetings are designed to synchronize technical development across the optical networking ecosystem and ensure industry-wide alignment. Additionally, Jia He (Huawei) was re-elected as Chair of the Networking & Operations Working Group.
“As network requirements evolve and grow more complex, OIF’s collaborative environment is where real, measurable progress happens,” said Sam Kocsis, OIF Technical Committee Vice Chair (Amphenol).
Key Implementation Agreement Highlights:
- C-CMIS 1.4 (Coherent Common Management Interface Specification):
- Enhanced maintenance/replacement signal control
- Improved consequent action control
- Payload type support and expanded alarming
- CD (chromatic dispersion) target set
- New CDB (Control Data Block) command to display Coherent Application Attributes
- Supports ZR and ZR+ modules at 400G, 800G and beyond
- FlexE 3.0 (Flexible Ethernet):
- Enables Flex Ethernet Groups using 800G PHYs
- Introduces 100G calendar slots
- Adds payload type overhead
- Designed for hyperscale, high-capacity transport networks
- Enhances Ethernet service flexibility and scalability
Additional Updates:
- Public release of presentations from OIF’s 448G Signaling for AI Workshop (April 2025), which featured insights from hyperscalers and ecosystem players.
- Guest address from Telia Estonia’s Tarko Tikan, highlighting resilient and secure national network strategies.
- Next major interoperability showcase to be held at ECOC 2025.
