Device technology development for beyond 100G optical transport network

The capacity of the optical transport network has been expanding for over 30 years, which has enriched the communication environment of users. This expansion has also helped to reduce the cost of communication lines and facilitate the growth of the Internet and the widespread use of smartphones. In the near future, an optical transport network with a capacity beyond 100 Gbit/s per wavelength (beyond 100G optical transport network) and its device technology will be needed in order to provide more sophisticated communication services such as IoT (Internet of Things) and 5G (fifth-generation) mobile access. This article reviews NTT laboratories' development of device technology for the beyond 100G optical transport network.