Dr Gonzalo Camarillo, Chair of the Marketing Steering Committee, the IOWN Global Forum and Head of Implementation Components, Ericsson, on adopting APNs.
By the end of this decade, the way we consume and transmit data will be drastically different. In 2022, the average mobile user in Europe went through about 15GB of data per month – mostly for streaming, browsing and gaming.
Fast-forward to 2030, and that number is expected to skyrocket past 75GB.
AI, cloud gaming, immersive media and ultra-HD streaming are pushing our networks to their limits.
Right now, most of our digital infrastructure is built on electronic switching – using electric signals to move data. It’s worked well so far, but it’s starting to buckle under the demand for instantaneous data processing and response. A few milliseconds of lag might not matter when loading a webpage, but what about self-driving cars or remote surgery? Even the tiniest delay could have serious consequences.
And then there’s the sustainability issue. Data centers already consume around 1% of global electricity, and by 2030, that number could almost triple. As our data demands grow, so does the strain on energy resources. If we don’t rethink how we build our networks, we’ll hit a wall – both in speed and sustainability.
Breaking through bottlenecks
So how do we fix this? The answer lies in All-Photonics Networks (APNs), which use light instead of electricity to transmit data. This network infrastructure is faster, more energy efficient and incredibly scalable.
Unlike traditional networks, where copper wiring leads to resistance and heat loss, fiber optics transmit data with very little heat loss. In fact, researchers have already hit speeds of 1 petabit per second – enough to stream 10 million 8K-resolution videos simultaneously.
Latency also gets a major upgrade. Today’s networks rely on optical-to-electromagnetic conversions, which introduce delays. But all-photonic systems process data entirely in light form, reducing response times from milliseconds to microseconds.
For industries relying on split-second data exchange, that’s a game changer.
Another benefit of APNs is long-distance reliability. Traditional networks need constant signal amplification as electrical signals weaken over distance. Optical fibers, on the other hand, can transmit data across long distances with much lower signal losses – ideal for global connectivity and submarine Internet cables.
Industry changing capabilities
Financial services
In the financial world, speed and resilience are everything. Trading platforms, payment processors, and banks rely on low-latency networks to execute transactions and back up their data in real-time. Even a tiny delay can mean millions lost in high-frequency trading.
With APNs, financial institutions can move data seamlessly across global markets, allocate computing power on demand and ensure real-time backups in case of system failures. Disaster recovery (natural or man-made) also improves – if one data center goes down, another can take over instantly, preventing disruption and downtime.
Remote media production
Live broadcasters face a shortage of skilled professionals, limiting their ability to deliver high-quality productions for streamed events. APNs allow skilled media operators to work from anywhere, bridging the talent gap and expanding access to top-quality production in all regions. Resilient, uninterrupted broadcasts are ensured through flexible, optical networks that perform under any condition.
This breaks down geographical barriers as production teams can work on high-resolution footage from anywhere in real time. Remote media production can happen seamlessly, eliminating the need for expensive on-site infrastructure.
AI and LLM training
AI development is notoriously power hungry. Training large-scale AI models requires massive computational power, often in centralized data centers that consume huge amounts of energy. Traditionally, computing and storage must be collocated to avoid lag, making it hard to scale efficiently.
Photonics change that by enabling ultra-fast data transfers between separate computing locations. AI training can now happen in renewable-powered data centers, dramatically cutting energy use without sacrificing performance.
Security is also boosted. Sensitive data like medical records or financial transactions can stay within secure environments, while high-speed photonic connections allow remote AI processing without exposing raw data.
The path to light-powered networks
Of course, making the shift to photonic networking isn’t as simple as flicking a switch. Governments, tech leaders and researchers need to collaborate to standardize protocols, develop blueprints, invest in infrastructure and scale production. Groups like the IOWN Global Forum are already working on developing proofs of concepts, defining early use cases and testing environments to accelerate adoption.
One key step is expanding fiber optic deployment. While many urban areas already have solid fiber networks, rural and underserved regions still lag behind. Upgrading network management systems and developing energy-efficient data centers will also be critical.
A photonics-driven future
We’re standing at the edge of a massive shift in connectivity. All-Photonics Networks won’t just make the Internet faster – they will reshape entire industries – from finance to media production to AI.
But this shift isn’t just about speed. It’s about building a more sustainable, resilient and intelligent infrastructure that can keep up with the demands of the future. With the right investments and collaboration, we can create networks that are not only more powerful but also more efficient and environmentally sound.
As 2030 approaches, the question isn’t if we should transition to photonics – it’s how fast we can make it happen.
