Fujitsu to Launch Open All-Photonics Network Lab in Europe for Global Network Innovation

Fujitsu has announced the establishment of its Open All-Photonics Network (APN) Lab in Düsseldorf, Germany, scheduled to open from November 2024 to March 2025. This lab will be the first of its kind outside Japan and aims to advance the adoption of APNs and the global spread of the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN).

Located at Fujitsu Technology Solutions GmbH in Düsseldorf, the lab will offer visitors a firsthand experience of the Open APN technology, showcasing its ease of use and flexibility. Network carriers, data center operators, and vendors can use the facility to test APN functionality and multi-vendor interoperability.

Open APNs are designed to connect products from various vendors, offering high capacity, low latency, and minimal power consumption. Fujitsu plans to introduce a new IOWN service in Japan starting fiscal 2025, with expectations that APNs will see broader adoption.

Fujitsu’s commitment to open-sourcing network technologies, including mobile networks, continues with the opening of this lab. The facility will support the understanding and utilization of APN technology, contributing to the development of sustainable network solutions.

As AI, big data, and 5G technologies become increasingly prevalent, there is a rising demand for high-capacity optical data transmission between wireless base stations, core networks, and data centers. In Europe, where energy costs are high, reducing power consumption is a priority for network carriers and data center operators.

Düsseldorf, a hub for telecom companies, is strategically located near Düsseldorf International Airport and major European cities, making it an ideal location for the lab. The lab will allow companies to experience Fujitsu’s APN solutions and explore future network services through practical use cases.

This initiative follows a contract with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) to conduct field trials for the overseas deployment of APNs in Europe. After the lab’s closure in March 2025, Fujitsu plans to conduct further field trials and expand its APN labs globally, including in North America.