Fujitsu announced plans to establish an open all photon network (APN) laboratory in Düsseldorf, Germany from November 2024 to March 2025. Its purpose is to popularize APN and promote the global expansion of innovative optical wireless networks (IOWN). This laboratory is the first of its kind outside of Japan.

Visitors will be able to personally experience the benefits of open APN technology, including its ease of operation and versatility. Network operators, data center operators, and suppliers will be able to use laboratory verification of APN functionality and multi vendor connectivity.

Open APNs facilitate the connection of products and solutions from multiple vendors, while also providing high capacity, low latency, and low power consumption. Japan plans to launch new IOWN services starting from fiscal year 2025, and it is expected that APNs will become more popular.

Fujitsu has always been committed to open source network technology, including mobile networks. With the establishment of the Open APN Laboratory, the company will continue to promote understanding of open APN technology and encourage wider use of this low-power, high-capacity technology as part of its commitment to creating a sustainable society.

With the popularity of artificial intelligence, big data processing, and 5G worldwide, there is an increasing demand for larger optical data transmission capacity between wireless base stations, core networks, and data centers. In addition, with the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure, network operators and data center operators are prioritizing reducing electricity consumption, especially in Europe where energy costs are soaring.

D ü sseldorf is the location of many telecommunications related companies. The Open APN Laboratory will be located near D ü sseldorf International Airport and major European cities, making it convenient for network operators in Germany and other parts of Europe to access.

The laboratory will allow companies to experience the use of Fujitsu developed APNs and personally experience the benefits they provide, as well as obtain information about future network services by introducing APNs use cases.

The establishment of the Open APN Laboratory is part of a contract with the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) aimed at conducting on-site trials for deploying APNs overseas in Europe.