Industry Leaders to Define Specification for Next-Generation 400G Optical Links

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LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 16, 2026--

A group of industry-leading networking, semiconductor, and optics companies today announced the formation of the 400G Optical MSA (400 Gbps Optical Multi-Source Agreement) to develop the specifications for optical interfaces required to enable a broad ecosystem of interoperable solutions. Under the MSA, participating companies will address the technical challenges of achieving optical interfaces utilizing 400G optical technology to ensure optical interoperability for transceivers and interfaces produced by different manufacturers and in various form factors. These new optical specifications target the next generation of AI Infrastructure equipment that is required to address the industry’s ever-growing need for increased bandwidth.

The 400G Optical MSA Group founding members include Broadcom, Cisco, MACOM, NVIDIA, and Semtech.

The initial goal of the MSA is to develop specifications for single-wavelength optical links operating at 400G at reaches up to 500m. The specifications will aim to leverage the latest link training and maintenance concepts to improve the performance and reliability of the links.

The new interfaces defined by the 400G Optical MSA will double the speed per wavelength for 400G, 800G, and 1.6 Tbps Ethernet applications. This effort is intended to complement the work currently taking place in other industry bodies such as the IEEE 802.3. By focusing on 400G per wavelengths, the 400G Optical MSA will be able to provide link level specifications for next-generation AI Infrastructure equipment.

“The rapid build out of AI infrastructure requires 400G optical links to support high-radix applications within the backend networks,” said Vasu Parthasarathy, 400G Optical MSA co-chair. “By forming this MSA group, we can ensure these specifications are defined ahead of market timing requirements, ensuring industry-wide interoperability and helping to drive greater economies of scale.”

“The 400G Optical MSA will enable a multi-source ecosystem which is essential for wide industry adoption,” said Mark Nowell, 400G Optical MSA Chair, “We look forward to expanding the membership of the group as this will enable us to accelerate the deployment of 400G optical links needed to meet the growing demands of AI workloads.”

Please visit https://www.400GOpticalMSA.com for more information on the 400G Optical MSA. To become a member, contact [email protected].

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CONTACT: 400G Optical MSA PR Contact:

Jennifer Mewett

Pacific Bridge Marketing

(714) 452-4507 |[email protected]

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SEMICONDUCTOR DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

SOURCE: 400G Optical MSA

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PUB: 03/16/2026 10:00 AM/DISC: 03/16/2026 10:00 AM

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