Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum, Inc. (IOWN Global Forum)

The IOWN Global Forum is a trade association dedicated to developing technical standards for an all-photonics telecommunications network. Established in January 2020 by founding members NTT, Intel, and Sony, its core mission is to accelerate the innovation and adoption of photonics-based technologies to create a smarter, more sustainable world. The Forum aims to achieve significant advancements by 2030, including 100 times less power consumption, 125 times increased transmission capacity, and 200 times lower end-to-end latency in communication infrastructure. While operating globally, a press release from its founding period indicated a base in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

The Forum's work primarily focuses on two key technology segments: IOWN Networking and IOWN Computing. It develops technical architectures, use cases, and conducts proof-of-concept (PoC) activities, producing deliverables such as technical reports, reference implementation models, and specifications for industry use. These efforts provide design guidance for diverse applications, including mobile fronthaul, cloud computing, cyber-physical systems, and AI-integrated communications, with the goal of impacting market segments like energy, healthcare, mobility-as-a-service, finance, and entertainment.

Comprising over 180 member organizations, the IOWN Global Forum continues to expand its influence and drive the transition from vision to implementation. Dr. Katsuhiko Kawazoe serves as its President and Chairperson. Recent activities include the 2026 Annual Member Meeting in Sydney, Australia, which gathered over 250 delegates to advance deployment models for photonics-driven innovation, particularly in the context of the AI era. The Forum also actively showcases its vision for future AI networking at major industry events like OFC 2026 and MWC 2026, emphasizing the development of faster, more resilient, and economically viable networks.