Focus on Optical Communication: Sustained Demand-Side Momentum, Diverse Technology Matrix Gathers a Group of Industry Leaders

In recent years, the AI wave has been driving optical communications towards higher speeds (800G/1.6T), integration (CPO/Silicon Photonics), and premiumization. The global optical communication market continues to expand, having now surpassed $50 billion. Driven by technological upgrades, surging application demand, and market expansion, the entire industry chain—from optical chips and optical modules to optical fibers and cables, and optical communication equipment—is developing rapidly. The global optical chip market is in a period of rapid growth. According to a report by the optical communication industry market research firm Light Counting, the global optical communication chipset market is expected to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17% from 2025 to 2030.

Regarding optical modules, the capital expenditures of the four major North American cloud providers (Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft) exceeded $220 billion in 2024, accounting for 80% of global AI computing investment. Their procurement of 800G optical modules constitutes over 70% of global demand. Domestically, Alibaba Cloud and Tencent Cloud are accelerating the upgrade from 400G to 800G, driving the Chinese market to grow to 70 billion RMB by 2025. Additionally, in 2023, the global market size for fiber optic connectors reached $4.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.53%, and is expected to reach $7 billion by 2027.

According to CRU data, the global demand for optical fiber and cable in 2023 was approximately 539 million core kilometers, and it is expected to grow by 6.2% year-on-year to 568 million core kilometers in 2025. A report by Reports and Data anticipates the global optical fiber market will reach $11.18 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of about 9.3%.

As the annual premier event for the laser, optics, and optoelectronics industry in Asia, the Laser World of Photonics China will be held grandly at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from March 18-20, 2026. In 2026, Laser World of Photonics China is proudly launching the Integrated Photonics and Optical Communication Zone, focusing on the complete ecosystem from "Devices → Modules → Systems →Scenario Application," covering crucial areas like 5G-A, data centers, and AI computational power. Simultaneously, the zone will incorporate cutting-edge innovative photonics technologies, aiming to establish a core hub for the global optical communication industry and elevate industry development to new heights.

Integrated Photonics and Optical Communication Zone

Diverse Technology Matrix Gathers Industry Leaders to Explore New Opportunities in Photonics-Electronics Convergence

In the field of optical chips, Chinese optical chip manufacturers are continuously increasing their market share and optimizing their product structure, having made significant progress in low-speed and 10G optical chips. For low-speed optical chips (below 2.5G), domestic manufacturers have largely achieved mass production and domestic substitution. For high-speed optical chips (25G and above), although overseas manufacturers still hold certain advantages, domestic optical chip companies are demonstrating strong momentum in catching up. This exhibition has gathered a group of core players in the domestic optical chip field: Everbright, Dogain, Huachen Xiguang Technology, PHOGRAIN, OSRAM, Guangjun Heyue, Weifang Academy of Advanced Opto-electronic Circuit, Heptagon, Bright Diode Laser, Protocol, CETC.....

In the field of optical devices, Chinese manufacturers have achieved structural breakthroughs, possessing significant global competitiveness in passive devices; in the field of active devices, localization of mid-to-low-end products is mature, and high-end products are accelerating their catch-up to overseas leading levels. Laser World of Photonics China has also gathered numerous high-quality optical device companies deeply involved in specific segments, covering key areas such as lasers, optical components, photonic integration, and packaging materials. Participants include Precilasers, JUHERE, Microphotons Technology, Lightstar, SiCART, Youopto, Photonteck, CSRAYZER, HOSTECHN, etc., who will collectively showcase the innovative strength and complete ecosystem of China's optical device industry.

In the field of optical modules, domestic manufacturers, leveraging mature hard skills in packaging & manufacturing and efficient market responsiveness, have secured a firm position in the global competitive landscape, becoming an important force driving industry development. Chinese manufacturers have achieved a leap from "following" to "leading" in the 800G optical module field, forming a China-dominated pattern in the global optical module market. Laser World of Photonics China has attracted many high-quality companies in the field to confirm their participation, including Coherent (formerly II-VI), Flyin, Beogold Technology, Ziguan Photonics, UNI-Infolink, Yufan Photonics, MILLI-TECH, B&A Technology, Shijia Photons, TBCOM, etc., who will collectively present cutting-edge technological achievements and innovative solutions in the optical module field.

In the field of optical fiber and cable, the global market exhibits a pattern of "Asia-Pacific dominance, mature Europe & America, and rising emerging markets." The Asia-Pacific region (especially China, India, and Japan) is the core region for current optical fiber and cable demand, primarily driven by China's "East Data West Computing" project, 5G base station construction, and digital transformation. Laser World of Photonics China has also gathered a group of high-quality companies from the optical fiber and cable industry chain, covering key segments such as communication fibers, specialty fibers, sensing fibers, and materials, fully demonstrating China's profound accumulation and diverse innovative vitality in this field. Exhibiting companies include YOFC, SCITLION, Shanghai Hanyu, Yangtze Optical Electronic, Hengtong Optic-electric, Fasten Optoelectronics, Aolinhaishen, BrightCore, Sublime Photonics, Changjin Photonics, Zhenfei Optical, Shanxi Intelligent Sensing Light, etc., who will collectively present cutting-edge products and application solutions in the optical fiber and cable field.

In the field of optical communication equipment, the market is highly concentrated. Leading enterprises, relying on profound technological accumulation, extensive channel networks, and continuous R&D investment, continue to shape the industry landscape. The global market is dominated by giants like Huawei, Ciena, Cisco, and Nokia, while in China, manufacturers like Huawei, ZTE, and FiberHome have built a solid local industrial foundation. Simultaneously, a group of specialized companies with core technologies and innovation capabilities in specific segments is growing rapidly, jointly promoting the coordinated development of optical communication systems, test & measurement, automation equipment, and key subsystems.

Laser World of Photonics China has successfully attracted numerous high-quality companies in the optical communication equipment field. Their businesses cover the entire industry chain from chip packaging and module testing to system integration. Participants include DEVISER, HG Pack, YPO, Ceyear, REB Automation, SHENGAOXIN, Laile Optoelectronics, BEYOND,  as well as international companies like Finetech and Liquid Instruments. They will collectively showcase technological breakthroughs and end-to-end solutions in the optical communication equipment field.