Coherent transceivers at 100G and 400G have already taken the optical industry by storm, and adoption of 800G pluggables are starting. The reason? Their compact, pluggable form factor, which allows them to be plugged directly into switch and router ports. This eliminates the transponder between the router or switch and the Line System, which leads to cost, space, and power savings. Coherent 800G pluggables reduce power consumption and cost per bit, up to one-third vs 400G ZR/ZR+ technology. In addition to lower power consumption and cost per bit, it truly offers long distance transmission of commonly used 400G rates at its initial release, while allowing 800G for metro applications. Previous 400G coherent generation transceivers achieved this level of maturity but over time with multiple upgrades.
Beyond switches and routers, it marks an industry shift from embedded to pluggable optics. Cell site gateways, muxponders, transponders, regenerators, demarcation devices and many types of networking gear designed for pluggable optics will be more versatile thanks to the expanded set of choices using pluggable technology. One such example is the Fujitsu IPoDWDM Edge Networking solution – a line of access/edge optimized routers and line system that leverage 400G pluggables including end-to-end control and management using Vituora Network Control Solution. Another is the Ultra Optical System T700, transponder, muxponder, regeneration and demarcation neutral host platform that leverages any industry standard optical pluggable including the Ultra Optical System P300 800G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggagble transceiver for optical transport.
Francois Moore, Optical Architect and Advisor, discusses the Ultra Optical System P300 800G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable transceiver at MWC Barcelona 2025.
Industry standards for 800G ZR/ZR+ transceivers
The unbridled success of 400G ZR/ZR+ optical transceivers, particularly for metro data center interconnect applications, has paved the way for the next generation. The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) 800ZR implementation agreement was published in Q4 2024 and ensures interoperability between vendors. Similarly the OpenROADM MSA, which specifies higher performance metrics required for regional and long-haul applications, was updated in April 2025. At OFC 2025 and MWC Barcelona 2025, 1Finity exhibited the Ultra Optical System™ P300 800G ZR/ZR+ coherent pluggable transceiver. The Ultra Optical System P300 complies with both standards.
Just as 400G coherent pluggables expanded the metro DCI market, 800ZR+ pluggables will have a similar impact on regional and long-haul optical transport. Volume shipments are expected for 2026 and industry analyst forecasts have been upgraded due to increasing hyperscaler demand. To understand why the time has come for 800G pluggables, let’s review key drivers and enablers.
The insatiable demand for bandwidth: AI and Cloud
The consistent growth of 5G and FTTH networks creates growing bandwidth demand for cloud services providers. AI has significantly boosted that demand. Distributed Large Language Model (LLM) training across multiple data centers requires intensive network bandwidth. Whether it’s training, inference, or agents, the AI infrastructure of tomorrow is being built today.
Power savings and sustainability
Continuous advancements in chip fabrication continue to drive ever-higher transistor densities. This innovation- notably the transition from 5nm to 3nm significantly boosts DSP efficiency by minimizing power loss from leakage, capacitance, and switching operations. Leveraging this progress, the Ultra Optical System P300 transceiver utilizes a 3nm DSP, achieving up to a one-third reduction in energy consumption and cost per bit compared to 400G coherent pluggables.
Network management
Strategies for managing coherent optics in a Service Provider (SP) IPoDWDM use case vary between operators. Based on SP organization three distinct methods are being used- hierarchical interfacing with IP & optical controller, Optical controller and IP controller. These methods are all using industry standards. There is one other method that is non-standard using a direct in-band channel. The in-band channel can result in interoperability issues leading to vendor lock-in and will increase hardware cost. Of the standard methods, the Industry is trending toward the Optical controller methodology where it interfaces with the IP controller northbound interface (NBI) or the router directly.
The Ultra Optical System P300 800G ZR/ZR+ pluggable can be deployed in all three management scenarios mentioned previously. The Virtuora Network Controller solution from 1Finity provides end-to-end comprehensive and scalable management for coherent pluggables, including support for the 1Finity IPoDWDM Edge Networking solution and subsequently, for third-party routers and switches.
Dashella Taylor, Director PLM, reviews key decision criteria when selecting coherent pluggables
