Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC)

The Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC) is recognized as the premier global event for professionals in optical communications and networking. Its core mission is to serve as a vital platform where industry leaders, researchers, and innovators converge to share cutting-edge research, explore advancements, and drive innovation in optical technologies. While the conference itself is held in various locations annually, it is co-sponsored and managed by Optica (formerly OSA), the IEEE Communications Society, and the IEEE Photonics Society.

OFC offers a comprehensive program that includes dynamic business programming, a large exhibition featuring global companies, and high-impact peer-reviewed research. The event showcases a broad spectrum of technologies and solutions, encompassing fiber optics, 5G networks, data centers, cloud infrastructures, optical modules, components, and test and measurement tools. Technical sessions, workshops, tutorials, and invited speakers cover critical topics such as fiber-optic transmission, silicon photonics, coherent systems, optical amplifiers, network disaggregation, and quantum communications.

In recent years, particularly highlighted at the 2026 conference, OFC has demonstrated a significant strategic pivot towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure. This shift reflects the industry's evolving demands for higher bandwidth and lower latency within AI data centers, moving beyond its traditional focus on telecommunications. The conference has become a key venue for major companies to debut new products and solutions tailored for AI networks, with a strong emphasis on increasing optical fiber density and enhancing energy efficiency in optical interfaces.