We meet future capacity demand before it arrives
There is a fundamental limit to the quantity of error-free information that can be transmitted over any communication channel. We are fast approaching that boundary. Bell Labs, however, doesn’t view Shannon’s limit as an obstacle, but rather as a guidepost pointing us in new directions of optical innovation. We’re moving beyond increasing bitrates over a single optical wavelength, to exploring the huge levels of capacity unlocked by multi-fiber, multi-mode and multi-core technologies. Bell Labs is researching the potential of optical fiber in new settings, whether in the data center or feeding end devices. And we’re re-envisioning the role of the optical networks not merely as a means of transferring information, but as a platform for sensing, analytics and automation.
- Connecting the far reaches of the solar system with low-power quantum detection
- Meet our optical researchers
- Optical research and vision
- Innovator spotlight
- Project members
- 2023 IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Service Award
- Network X Awards
- Fiber Connect 2022 Award
- Latest Optical Research News
- How glass fiber is shaping the internet
Connecting the far reaches of the solar system with low-power quantum detection
How low-power quantum detection could unlock new satellite and deep-space optical transmission capabilities.
The women driving Nokia research and innovation
Learn what inspires the women who are at the forefront of Nokia research and standards development.
Optical research and vision
Innovator spotlight
Bell Labs and Keysight set a new record in coherent optical transmission
2023 IEEE Photonics Society Distinguished Service Award
Nicolas K. Fontaine recognized for outstanding contributions to the mentorship and education of students and young professionals.
Network X Awards
Our 100G PON proof of concept won the 'Outstanding Next-Gen #PON Innovation award at Network X.
Fiber Connect 2022 Award
We are proud to have been awarded Most Innovative award at Fiber Connect 2022 for our research division Nokia Bell Labs’ 100G PON proof of concept demo.
Latest optical research news
Nokia Bell Labs sets a new world record of 800 Gbps for transoceanic optical transmission
1.53 Petabit per Second Transmission in 55-mode Fiber with Standard Cladding Diameter
Nokia showcases first 100Gb/second fiber broadband technology in the US
Nokia Bell Labs selected for ARPA-E funding to develop energy-efficient data center technologies
How glass fiber is shaping the internet
As part of the Verge’s in-depth look at the role of fiber optics in the internet, Bell Labs’ Tod Sizer and Vivian Chen describe the relentless pursuit of optical innovation necessary to keep pace with the world’s insatiable appetite for capacity.
How glass fiber is shaping the internet
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Driving optical network scale
New innovations in optical networks will deliver further scaling in network capacity, while simplifying operations and architectures.