SoftBank Corp. has partnered with Cisco Systems to begin deploying an “All Optical Network” across metro networks in Japan. The project eliminates the need for optical-electrical conversion, cutting energy consumption by about 90% while delivering large-capacity, 400G-class connectivity. The first deployment phase in Osaka Prefecture was completed in September 2025, with nationwide rollout planned by 2027. The initiative builds on SoftBank’s 2023 nationwide all-optical core network deployment and marks a major expansion toward metro-scale integration to support AI workloads and Beyond 5G/6G applications.
The metro network design combines Cisco’s routed optical network architecture with SoftBank’s simplified optical multiplexing system. It uses Cisco’s 400G-capable routers equipped with Silicon One Q200 chips and OpenZR+ coherent transceivers for direct optical interconnects. This eliminates intermediate transponders and amplifiers, enabling compact, power-efficient infrastructure that can scale to 6.4 Tbps per link. SoftBank’s custom passive optical multiplexer and Cisco’s pluggable Open Line System further reduce rack space and power requirements, simplifying deployment across Japan’s dense metro footprint.
SoftBank and Cisco said the new architecture will provide the scalability and flexibility needed to handle exponential data growth from AI, cloud, and edge applications. It also supports Japan’s carbon-neutral goals through dramatic efficiency gains in both equipment and network operations. The companies plan to extend the network nationwide by 2027.
• All-optical metro network cuts energy use by ~90% versus traditional optical-electrical configurations
• Cisco’s 400G OpenZR+ coherent optics eliminate the need for transponders
• SoftBank’s passive optical multiplexer supports up to 6.4 Tbps per link with no external power
• Cisco Silicon One Q200 chip boosts router switching capacity 7× while halving energy consumption
• Nationwide rollout expected by 2027 to support AI and Beyond 5G/6G services
“Partnering with Cisco to deploy the All optical network across Japan’s metro networks represents a major step forward in building a sustainable and future-ready communication infrastructure,” said Teruyuki Oya, Vice President, Head of Mobile & Network Division, SoftBank Corp.
https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/news/press/sbkk/2025/20251023_01
🌐 Analysis: This collaboration places SoftBank among the first major carriers to extend routed optical network principles into metro domains, a move that aligns with global trends led by AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefónica. By integrating Cisco’s Silicon One and OpenZR+ technologies, SoftBank is positioning Japan’s metro infrastructure for AI-era scalability while aggressively pursuing power efficiency and carbon-neutral goals.
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