“Phototransistor”, a core technology that is an element of optoelectronic convergence devices



NTT, also known as Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, is a prestigious telecommunications company hailing from Japan. With a storied history spanning numerous decades, NTT has solidified its position as a premier provider of cutting-edge communication services and solutions.

In preparation for the year 2025, NTT is gearing up to unveil a groundbreaking semiconductor chip project named the “Photonics Convergence Device.” This state-of-the-art device harnesses the power of light to process signals. In response to market demands, NTT is even considering the establishment of new facilities within Japan, capitalizing on existing manufacturing bases. The Photonics Convergence Device will lay the foundation for the highly advanced optical communication infrastructure known as IOWN (Innovative Optical and Wireless Network), expected to revolutionize power consumption in the telecommunications industry. Mass production is scheduled for the fiscal year 2029.

IOWN, a visionary initiative, aspires to seamlessly integrate optical and wireless technologies, ushering in the era of the next-generation network. Facilitating collaboration among 117 countries, the IOWN Global Forum is at the forefront of this transformative movement. Moreover, esteemed organizations including NVIDIA, Oracle, and Amazon Web Services have already committed to adopting APN IOWN1.0.

The imminent advent of the IOWN era promises a network with unparalleled attributes, boasting latency reduced to 1/200th of current systems, transmission capacity increased by a factor of 125, and power efficiency improved by 100 times. This remarkable leap forward will enable communication speeds of 1,000 terabits per second, eclipsing the capabilities of today’s 5G technology. Anticipated to revolutionize diverse sectors such as business, entertainment, medicine, and education, this groundbreaking advancement will accelerate the proliferation of high-capacity data communication.