Coherent Expands POLS Portfolio with Full C-Band Amplification for AI Datacenter Networks — Coherent Corp.

Event summary

Coherent Corp. launched an expanded Pluggable Optical Line Systems (POLS) portfolio with full C-band amplification in a compact QSFP form factor on September 17, 2026.
The enhanced POLS supports up to 32 DWDM wavelengths over a single fiber pair, enabling up to 25.6Tbps of AI datacenter traffic across links from 2km to 200km.
The system integrates key optical transport functions into QSFP modules, featuring 21dBm output power, variable gain, low power consumption, and autonomous plug-and-play operation.
The enhanced POLS is generally available and shipped in high volume, supporting 400G and 800G ZR and ZR+ applications.

The big picture

Coherent's expansion of its POLS portfolio addresses the growing demand for high-capacity, flexible optical connectivity solutions driven by the scaling of AI infrastructure. The integration of full C-band amplification into a compact form factor aligns with the industry's shift towards more automated, open, and high-capacity optical networks. This strategic move positions Coherent to capture a larger share of the market for AI datacenter interconnect solutions.

What we're watching

Adoption Pace: How quickly AI infrastructure operators and cloud providers will integrate the enhanced POLS into their networks.
Competitive Response: Whether competitors will accelerate their own developments in pluggable optical line systems to match Coherent's advancements.
Technical Performance: The real-world performance of the full C-band amplification in high-capacity datacenter environments.