1、June 2025McKinsey DirectOpportunities in networking optics:Boosting supply for data centersPotential shortfalls in networking optics supply could hinder data center and AI expansion.How can players boost supply and seize growth opportunities,especially in high-bandwidth transceivers?This article is

2、a collaborative effort by Bill Wiseman,Henry Marcil,Lari Hmlinen,and Pankaj Sachdeva,with Wendy Zhu,representing views from McKinseys Industrials&Electronics;Technology,Media&Telecommunications;and Semiconductor Practices.Networking optics are mission-critical components in advancing AI and data cen

3、ter infrastructure build-outs.To move the massive amounts of data required for AI training and inferencing,hyperscalers and other data center operators need increased access to optical transceivers capable of rates of 800 gigabits per second(Gbps)or even 1.6 terabits per second(Tbps)and higher.1 But

4、 these crucial components could be in short supply in the near term:Production of 800-Gbps transceivers is expected to fall 40 to 60 percent short of demand through 2027,and shortfalls of 30 to 40 percent in the supply of 1.6-Tbps transceivers are likely to persist through 2029,according to McKinsey

5、 analysis.Addressing these shortages will require industry standards,collaboration,capacity scaling,and significant investment of capital expenditure to ensure the necessary capacity by 2030.2 The amount of capital expenditure needed depends on where the data center is located and the type of constr

6、uction involvedretrofitting,new build,or expansion.This article explores current trends in networking optics technology as well as the market factors affecting production of higher-data-rate transceivers.It illustrates how industry leaders could act today to ease bottlenecks in component supplies an