Coherent Announces General Availability of Industry-First 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO With High Optical Output Power

Rhea-AI Summary

Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR) has announced the general availability of the industry's first 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO with 0dBm optical output power, designed for metro and regional ROADM-based line systems. This high-power coherent transceiver features:

- Compact QSFP28 form factor with reduced power dissipation and network footprint
- Eliminates need for costly muxponders and transponders
- Optional Tunable Optical Filter for colorless ROADM configurations
- Built with InP photonic integrated circuits and in-house digital signal processor

The product targets IP-over-DWDM deployments, enabling network operators to upgrade metro DWDM networks from 10G to 100G while addressing capacity bottlenecks for bandwidth-intensive services like mobile video, autonomous cars, and AI inference.

Positive

• First-to-market advantage with unique high-power coherent transceiver in QSFP28 form factor
• Product enables significant cost reduction by eliminating need for expensive network components
• Addresses growing market demand as networks transition from 10G to 100G
• Vertical integration capability with proprietary technology (InP PICs and DSP)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Telecommunications Infrastructure Expert

Coherent's new 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO with 0dBm optical output power represents a significant technical achievement in optical networking. This is the first high-power coherent transceiver in the compact QSFP28 form factor - a breakthrough that enables direct router-to-ROADM connectivity without intermediate transponders.

The technical advantages are substantial: the high output power allows operation over ROADM-based metro and regional networks, dramatically simplifying network architecture while reducing both CapEx and OpEx for operators. The optional Tunable Optical Filter further enhances flexibility for colorless ROADM deployments.

What makes this truly distinctive is Coherent's vertical integration capability. By manufacturing their own InP photonic integrated circuits and digital signal processors in-house, they've achieved an integration level competitors haven't matched in this form factor. This vertical integration typically translates to better performance, reliability, and supply chain resilience.

The timing is optimal as networks transition from 10G DWDM to 100G, driven by bandwidth-intensive applications like video streaming, autonomous vehicles, and AI. The endorsements from Juniper and Adtran - major networking equipment providers - validate market demand and suggest adoption potential in real-world deployments.

While many optical component announcements represent incremental improvements, this product potentially enables a fundamental network architecture shift toward more efficient IP-over-DWDM implementations, eliminating entire layers of equipment in the process.

Technology Investment Analyst

Coherent's introduction of the industry's first high-power 100G ZR pluggable transceiver represents a strategic product innovation that strengthens their competitive positioning in the optical components market. The timing is particularly advantageous as the pluggable 100G coherent market is experiencing rapid growth, according to the cited Cignal AI analyst.

Three key business implications stand out. First, by enabling direct router-to-ROADM connections, this product addresses the critical market need for network simplification and cost reduction - core priorities for telecom operators facing margin pressures. Second, Coherent has secured endorsements from significant ecosystem partners including Juniper Networks and Adtran, indicating potential design wins and integration into larger networking solutions.

Most importantly, Coherent remains "the only QSFP28 solution available" in this category according to the analyst quote, giving them first-mover advantage in a growing segment. Their vertical integration capabilities - controlling both the InP photonic integrated circuits and the digital signal processor technology - create meaningful barriers to entry and potential margin advantages.

The product directly targets the metro/regional network upgrade cycle, where operators are transitioning from 10G to 100G while seeking to minimize capital expenditures. By eliminating the need for separate transponders and muxponders, Coherent is positioning themselves at the forefront of the IP-over-DWDM architectural shift that promises significant total cost of ownership advantages for network operators.

SAXONBURG, Pa., March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a global leader in photonics, announces general availability of the industry's first 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO featuring 0dBm optical output power, designed for metro and regional ROADM-based line systems. 

The new 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO stands apart as the market's only high-power coherent transceiver in the compact QSFP28 form factor, significantly reducing both power dissipation and network footprint. Ideal for IP-over-DWDM deployments, this solution eliminates the need for costly muxponders and transponders, enabling network operators to scale efficiently while achieving superior performance. An optional Tunable Optical Filter further enhances its versatility, supporting colorless ROADM configurations. 

"Coherent continues to redefine optical networking with innovations like the high-power 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO," said Dr. Beck Mason, Executive Vice President, Telecommunications at Coherent. "We designed it to enable cost-effective, energy-efficient IP-over-DWDM solutions." 

"The pluggable 100G coherent market is growing rapidly as access and enterprise networks transition from 10G DWDM, and Coherent remains the only QSFP28 solution available," said Scott Wilkinson, Lead Analyst at Cignal AI. "The addition of a high-power option, which enables operation over existing ROADM networks, expands the 100ZR market deeper into metro applications." 

“Higher-power coherent pluggables are key to enabling cost-effective IP-over-DWDM architectures, particularly in metro and regional networks. Coherent’s new 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO delivers the performance needed to simplify ROADM-based transport while improving network efficiency and scalability. Through our long-standing collaboration, we’ve worked together to advance coherent DSP technology, empowering operators to expand capacity, reduce costs, and transition to more flexible, open optical networks,” said Dr. Christoph Glingener, CTO of Adtran. 

“100G ZR/ZR+ 0dBm pluggable technology in the prolific QSFP28 form factor is driving IPoDWDM adoption across the WAN. Coherent’s 100G ZR/ZR+ transceiver, as part of an optimized IPoDWDM system, simplifies IP optical convergence in access, aggregation, and service edge architectures, including brownfield transformations,” said AE Natarajan, Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Juniper Networks. “Ideal for upgrading metro DWDM networks from 10G to 100G and extending reach over dark fiber, this transceiver has potential to deliver compelling TCO benefits by addressing capacity bottlenecks for evolving bandwidth-hungry services such as mobile video, autonomous cars, and AI inference. Combined with Juniper’s expansive portfolio of IPoDWDM-optimized solutions, operators now have a new tool to enhance operations and experiences.” 

Built with the vertical integration capability of Coherent, including InP photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and in-house digital signal processor (DSP), the product is now generally available. Visit booth #1519 at OFC 2025 in San Francisco April 1-3 to learn more about these transceivers and the extensive portfolio of high-performance optical networking solutions from Coherent.  

About Coherent 

Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.  

Media Contact: 
innovations@coherent.com 

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee13886a-6fd5-4ddc-83f6-dd16fd491d19

FAQ

What are the key features of Coherent's new 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO transceiver (COHR)?

The transceiver features 0dBm optical output power, compact QSFP28 form factor, reduced power dissipation, and optional Tunable Optical Filter for ROADM configurations.

How does the new Coherent (COHR) 100G ZR transceiver benefit network operators?

It enables cost-effective IP-over-DWDM solutions, eliminates need for muxponders/transponders, and allows efficient network scaling with superior performance.

What market applications is Coherent's (COHR) new 100G ZR transceiver targeting?

It targets metro and regional ROADM-based line systems, supporting bandwidth-intensive services like mobile video, autonomous cars, and AI inference.

What technological advantages does Coherent's (COHR) 100G ZR QSFP28-DCO offer?

It's the only high-power coherent transceiver in QSFP28 form factor, built with InP photonic integrated circuits and in-house DSP technology.