Functional Architecture for End-to-End Deterministic Networking with Software-Defined Optical Interconnect
This document defines the functional architecture of Deterministic Networking with Software-Defined Optical Interconnect that provides deterministic-QoS connections for NIC-to-NIC communication, leveraging site-to-site optical transport paths, primarily by Open APN as a foundation technology.
Shared Risk Link Group Fiber Identification with Fiber Sensing for Open APN PoC Reference
This Proof of Concept explores SOP-based fiber sensing as a non-intrusive method to identify Shared Risk Link Groups (SRLGs) by detecting correlated polarization changes. Using existing coherent transponders, it enables real-time hardware tagging of fibers, enhancing network resilience, redundancy validation, and operational efficiency without disrupting live traffic.
FUTURES Dallas 2025 – AI Infrastructure of the Future
Hosted by the IOWN Global Forum, FUTURES Dallas is a free, public-access event that explores how we build the infrastructure to support AI at scale. From power and compute to connectivity and local impact, industry leaders and civic voices will share insights on the challenges and opportunities shaping our future. Join us in person or […]
Use Case and Technology Evaluation Criteria – Construction Site
To address challenges in safety and efficiency, IOWN’s ultra-high-capacity, low-latency network supports AI-based risk prediction and safety monitoring. Connecting multiple construction sites enables smooth collaboration, accelerates project completion, and reduces risks. This document presents the use case requirements and technical evaluation criteria for remote construction site inspections for the construction industry, outlining specific use cases […]
ITU Secretary-General and the IOWN Global Forum President and Chairperson Meet to Accelerate Further Collaboration
Geneva – July 30, 2025 -Dr. Katsuhiko Kawazoe, President and Chairperson of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (the IOWN Global Forum) visited Ms. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and agreed to accelerate further collaboration between ITU and the IOWN Global Forum to achieve a more sustainable and […]
Japan Regional Workshop 2025-II
To accelerate the IOWN Global Forum activities, the Japan Regional Workshop will be held
Industry Event: MWC Barcelona 2026
The IOWN Global Forum will return to Barcelona this March for Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026. At MWC Barcelona 2026, technology, policy and commerce come together to shape the future of connectivity, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to share ideas, insights, and emerging technologies that are driving global change. During the event, the […]
Traffic Monitoring with Fiber Sensing for Open APN PoC Reference
This document describes requirements for regional traffic flow monitoring using fiber sensing in APNs. By investigating its feasibility and proving that fiber sensing can monitor traffic in real time and reduce costs, we will verify the usefulness of fiber sensing in APN fiber and show the potential of fiber sensing for traffic flow monitoring services […]
IOWN Global Forum Annual Member Meeting April 2025 – Highlights
Executive Summary On 22-25 April 2025, the IOWN Global Forum hosted its Annual Member Meeting 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden, welcoming 246 registrants from over 59 organizations representing 19 different countries. Additional attendees joined both in-person and online on Thursday 24 April for the FUTURES Stockholm event, a Member Meeting session open to the public. With […]
IOWN Global Forum’s 2025 Annual Member Meeting in Sweden Marked New Milestones
Members from industry-leading organizations met to advance their mission to revolutionize lives through technology STOCKHOLM – May 27, 2025: The 2025 Annual Member Meeting of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (IOWN Global Forum) recognized its progress and shared its latest plans to deliver the networks of the future. More than 250 delegates across […]
2025 OCP APAC Summit
The Open Compute Project APAC Summit will showcase the latest innovations and technical advancements from around the world. The Summit will feature talks from experts who are researching and designing the next generation of hyperscale data center facilities and infrastructure, as well as an exhibit bringing together buyers and vendors. The IOWN Global Forum’s Technology […]
KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Japan
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation’s flagship conference brings together adopters and technologists from leading open source and cloud native communities for two days of collaboration, learning, and innovation to drive the future of cloud native computing. The IOWN Global Forum is a Gold sponsor of the event. Forum member Hidetsugu Sugiyama, Chief Architect, Telco CTO […]
Driving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
The document outlines the current strategies that leverage Data-Centric Infrastructure and Open All-Photonics Network for energy efficiency and sustainability projects, as well as the initiatives within the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (IOWN Global Forum). It highlights the challenges in these areas and presents approaches aimed at addressing them effectively.
Mobile Fronthaul over APN PoC Step 2-1
Anritsu, Nokia, and NTT have completed a technology demonstration following the PoC Reference for Mobile Fronthaul over APN Version 2.0. We applied APN to the mobile fronthaul between RU and DU to switch vDU sites according to day and night traffic variations to save power. This corresponds to Step 2-1 in the reference. In this […]
Open APN Architecture PoC Report
This document reports on the outcomes of the Open APN Architecture Proof of Concept (PoC), as defined in the Open APN Architecture PoC Reference, Version 1.0. The PoC focused on validating APN-G and APN-T functions. NOKIA’s product portfolio was tested against specified benchmarks and demonstrated compliance with key features, including APN-G support and flexible bridging […]
New IOWN Global Forum Report Outlines Future of Digital Economy, Powered by All-Photonics Networks
Research from Omdia reveals how next-generation communications infrastructure is key to a safer, smarter and more sustainable world Stockholm – April 24, 2025: The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (the IOWN Global Forum) today revealed the findings of a new whitepaper, ‘The All-Photonics Network Enables the Next-Gen Digital Economy’, developed by the global […]
The All-Photonics Network Enables the Next-Generation Digital Economy
Optical networks are the arterial connectivity underpinning all consumer, enterprise, and national digital economies. Optical networks have a vast reach, connecting mobile and residential broadband consumers, enterprises, and governments, both to other users and to a panoply of computing applications. The value of the optical network is the transmission of tremendous bandwidth across the entire […]
Evolving Networks at the Speed of Light
Five years ago, the IOWN Global Forum was founded with a clear purpose: to revolutionize communications infrastructure to deliver the solutions and opportunities of tomorrow. As the world navigates intensifying political, socioeconomic, and environmental challenges, technological advances will play an increasingly vital role in tackling them. At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona last month, we […]
IOWN Global Forum at MWC: The Executives’ Viewpoint on Photonics
Part of its half-day session, the IOWN Global Forum held a panel of executives from member companies who discussed Forum technology, titled “The Executives’ Viewpoint: Driving Optical Technology Evolution.”
IOWN Global Forum Shares a Photonic Future at MWC Barcelona 2025
For the first time, the IOWN Global Forum hosted a booth and a half-day session at MWC Barcelona 2025 to spread the word about the possibilities of photonic technology for society.
The Importance of Forum Technology for the Broadcast Industry
IOWN Global Forum members, Yuki Katsumata of TBS Television and Hiroshi Kuno of Sony, discuss the Forum Use Case titled “Remote Media Production for Broadcast Industry” that highlights the ability of IOWN Global Forum technology to address significant near-future issues that face the industry.
How Forum Technology Will Revolutionize the Financial Industry
IOWN Global Forum Use Case leaders, Yoko Inaba of NTT DATA and Moto Yuichiro of MUFG Bank, discuss the Forum Use Case titled “Services Infrastructure for Financial Industry” that details how IOWN Global Forum technology is poised to address the digital infrastructure needs of the industry.
IOWN Global Forum Working Group Chair Masahisa Kawashima Discusses Societal Impacts of Forum PoCs
IOWN Global Forum Technology Working Group Chair Masahisa Kawashima of NTT discusses the Forum’s current Proof of Concepts and their impact on business and wider society.
Why IOWN Global Forum PoCs are Important for Business & Society, from Forum Member Katsushi Shindo
IOWN Global Forum Member Katsushi Shindo of NTT shares why Forum Proof of Concepts are essential for business and wider society and the future of the program.
