Adtran launches industry’s first auto-tunable 50G C-band plug for 5G fronthaul

Rhea-AI Summary

Adtran has launched AccessWave50™, the industry's first full C-band tunable 50Gbit/s SFP56 DWDM PAM4 pluggable transceiver, designed for expanding 5G fronthaul capacity. The innovative solution replaces two 25Gbit/s transceivers with a single 50Gbit/s unit, featuring:

• Power consumption below 3W
• Zero-touch provisioning and auto-tuning capabilities
• 15km transmission range over SMF28 fiber
• Full C-band tunability
• Compliance with I-temp requirements for outdoor applications

The technology will be demonstrated live at OFC 2025, showcasing its ability to address growing bandwidth demands at the mobile network edge while optimizing fiber utilization and reducing operational costs for mobile network operators.

Positive

• First-to-market with full C-band tunable 50Gbit/s transceiver technology
• 50% reduction in hardware requirements by replacing two 25Gbit/s transceivers
• Energy efficient design with power consumption under 3W
• Simplified deployment through zero-touch provisioning and auto-tuning features

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecommunications Engineering Expert

Adtran's launch of the AccessWave50™ represents a significant technical advancement in 5G fronthaul infrastructure. By introducing the industry's first full C-band tunable 50Gbit/s SFP56 DWDM PAM4 pluggable transceiver, they've effectively doubled transport capacity while keeping power consumption under 3W – a crucial efficiency metric for network operators.

The technical implementation is impressive: replacing dual 25G transceivers with a single 50G unit not only reduces hardware footprint but optimizes fiber utilization in increasingly congested network environments. The integrated zero-touch provisioning and auto-tuning capabilities eliminate the operational complexity typically associated with DWDM deployments, addressing a major pain point for mobile network operators.

What's particularly noteworthy is the 15km transmission capability over standard SMF28 fiber, enabled by Adtran's patented distance optimization and signal shaping technology. This allows operators to leverage existing fiber infrastructure while upgrading capacity – a significant cost advantage when scaling 5G networks. The G.metro technology integration further enhances spectral efficiency, making this a compelling solution for bandwidth-constrained environments.

With 5G densification accelerating and AI-driven edge applications demanding more capacity, this product addresses concrete technical challenges in the fronthaul segment at precisely the right time. The compliance with I-temp requirements for outdoor deployment also eliminates a common deployment barrier for fronthaul technologies.

Financial Analyst

Adtran's AccessWave50™ launch strategically positions the company to capture value in the rapidly expanding 5G infrastructure market where operators face intense pressure to scale capacity while controlling costs. This product directly addresses both the technical and financial challenges mobile operators encounter during network upgrades.

The economic proposition is compelling: by consolidating two 25G transceivers into a single 50G unit, operators can achieve hardware consolidation while reducing power consumption below 3W per module. Given the scale of 5G deployments and rising energy costs, the sub-3W power profile represents meaningful operational expense reduction across thousands of deployment points.

For Adtran, this product extends their existing AccessWave portfolio with higher-margin, differentiated technology at a time when mobile operators are actively planning capacity upgrades. The full C-band tunability introduces additional value by reducing inventory complexity and simplifying sparing requirements – a hidden but significant cost factor for operators maintaining diverse network equipment.

While revenue projections aren't specified, the product addresses clear market needs as 5G densification continues and edge computing demands increase. The timing aligns with global operators' transition to higher-capacity fronthaul, potentially opening new revenue streams for Adtran within existing customer accounts and creating opportunities with new operators seeking cost-effective scaling solutions. The competitive differentiation from being first-to-market with this capacity point could strengthen Adtran's position in the optical networking segment beyond this specific product launch.

News summary:

• 5G expansion and AI-driven edge applications are fueling demand for higher-capacity, cost-effective fronthaul solutions for mobile networks
• Adtran’s AccessWave50^™ is the first full C-band tunable SFP56 PAM4 transceiver for 50G transport, cutting power consumption below 3W
• Live demo at OFC 2025 will showcase seamless 50G integration with zero-touch provisioning and 15km transmission over SMF28 fiber

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Adtran today launched the industry’s first full C-band tunable 50Gbit/s SFP56 DWDM PAM4 pluggable transceiver. The AccessWave50^™ is specifically designed to help mobile network operators expand 5G fronthaul capacity while reducing operational costs and energy consumption. By replacing two 25Gbit/s transceivers with a single 50Gbit/s unit, it enhances network efficiency, lowers power dissipation to less than 3W and simplifies deployment. The transceiver supports zero-touch provisioning, auto-tuning and smart tunable technology, ensuring plug-and-play efficiency without requiring manual wavelength configuration. At OFC 2025, Adtran will showcase the AccessWave50^™ in a live demo, highlighting how it addresses growing bandwidth needs at the mobile network edge.

Adtran’s AccessWave50™ will support mobile network operators as they expand 5G fronthaul capacity.

“5G networks must keep pace with rising data demands from AI applications, IoT expansion and growing network densification. Meeting these challenges requires a new generation of more efficient, scalable and cost-effective fronthaul solutions,” said Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran. “AccessWave50^™ advances the proven capabilities of our AccessWave25^™, doubling capacity while maintaining ultra-low power consumption. It simplifies the move to 50Gbit/s for mobile network operators by cutting hardware costs and optimizing fiber utilization. At OFC, we’ll showcase how AccessWave50^™ enables operators to scale their infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively in response to soaring data demands.”

AccessWave50^™ features Adtran’s patented distance optimization and signal shaping technology, ensuring robust performance over 15km on SMF28 fiber. Its full C-band tunability and smart tunable technology enable easy integration with existing mobile network operator (MNO) software platforms. In line with MOPA recommendations, it supports automatic wavelength selection, simplifying network operations while improving deployment efficiency. AccessWave50^™ also incorporates G.metro technology, providing added flexibility for operators looking to maximize spectral efficiency. Fully compliant with I-temp requirements for outside plant applications, it delivers reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions – a key requirement for 5G fronthaul deployments. With 50Gbit/s Ethernet and 50Gbit/s eCPRI transmission protocol compliance, the module supports 5G fronthaul while minimizing infrastructure costs. What’s more, its ultra-low power dissipation of under 3W makes AccessWave50^™ a sustainable solution for MNOs seeking scalable, cost-effective upgrades.

“As mobile operators transition to 50Gbit/s transport, they need solutions that streamline deployments and maximize efficiency,” commented Ross Saunders, GM of optical engines at Adtran. “AccessWave50^™ transforms fronthaul with unmatched scalability and significant power savings. Unlike fixed-wavelength solutions, its full C-band tunability reduces inventory complexity, simplifying operations and boosting spectral efficiency. Leveraging Adtran’s patented distance optimization and signal-shaping technology, it enhances network performance while minimizing power consumption. With industry-leading low-power dissipation and compliance with key 5G fronthaul protocols, AccessWave50^™ offers a clear route to higher-capacity mobile transport.”

About Adtran

ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN and FSE: QH9) is the parent company of Adtran, Inc., a leading global provider of open, disaggregated networking and communications solutions that enable voice, data, video and internet communications across any network infrastructure. From the cloud edge to the subscriber edge, Adtran empowers communications service providers around the world to manage and scale services that connect people, places and things. Adtran solutions are used by service providers, private enterprises, government organizations and millions of individual users worldwide. ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. is also the majority shareholder of Adtran Networks SE, formerly ADVA Optical Networking SE. Find more at Adtran, LinkedIn and X.

Published by

ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.

www.adtran.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250325366406/en/

For media

Gareth Spence

+44 1904 699 358

public.relations@adtran.com

For investors

Peter Schuman

+1 256 963 6305

investor.relations@adtran.com

Source: ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Adtran's new AccessWave50™ transceiver (ADTN)?

AccessWave50™ features 50Gbit/s capacity, power consumption under 3W, full C-band tunability, zero-touch provisioning, and 15km transmission range over SMF28 fiber.

How does AccessWave50™ improve efficiency for 5G fronthaul operations?

It replaces two 25Gbit/s transceivers with a single 50Gbit/s unit, reducing power consumption and simplifying deployment with auto-tuning technology.

What transmission protocols does Adtran's AccessWave50™ support?

AccessWave50™ supports 50Gbit/s Ethernet and 50Gbit/s eCPRI transmission protocols for 5G fronthaul applications.

When will Adtran demonstrate the AccessWave50™ technology?

Adtran will showcase AccessWave50™ in a live demo at OFC 2025.

How does AccessWave50™ address environmental challenges in 5G deployments?

It's fully compliant with I-temp requirements for outside plant applications, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environmental conditions.