IOWN: a photonics-based
technology revolution

Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN)

It is an initiative for future communications infrastructure to create a smarter world by using cutting-edge technologies.



IOWN is built around photonic technology for ultra-high capacity, ultra-low latency and ultra-low power consumption.

What is IOWN?
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IOWN. Turning Science Fiction Into Science Fact

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Building the Next Generation of Sustainable, Speed-of-Light Technology

Read about the benefits of IOWN

NTT’s Vision for Photonics-Powered Innovation

Discover how NTT is turning next-generation network concepts into reality. Learn more about our’s vision for photonics-based innovation, our role in the IOWN Global Forum, and the real-world applications transforming industries like finance and construction.

Vito Mabrucco, NTT brand evangelist, being interviewed

IOWN use cases

  • Masahisa Kawashima, IOWN Technology Director, IOWN Development Office at NTT, Inc. talking about IOWN and AI

    Secure AI Training, Powered by IOWN

    Masahisa Kawashima, IOWN Technology Director, IOWN Development Office at NTT, Inc., shares how IOWN connects enterprise R&D sites to remote AI data centers through photonic networks, enabling high-performance AI training while sensitive data remains protected on site.

  • Steven Lim, SVP NTT Global Data Centers, interviewed by Vito Mabrucco, brand evangelist

    Reimagining Data Centers with IOWN

    Explore how NTT is using IOWN to optimize data centers for AI, cut energy use, and extend infrastructure capabilities.

  • DJ MASA interacting with our EMG-based avatar control interface

    Building a more inclusive future with Project Humanity and IOWN

    Project Humanity reimagines inclusion through technology. With IOWN, NTT is enabling real-time, barrier-free experiences that help people connect and create, without limits.

    Discover the project
  • Dr. Norio Sato, group leader of the Device Innovation Center of NTT, explains the first hardware where optical engines are deployed in the server.

    The Photonics Revolution

    By combining light and data, PEC delivers faster processing, reduced power consumption, and a foundation for sustainable digital growth.

    Read more about PEC
  • Binary code represented in blue and orange colors and getting out of the network

    Making Optical Networks Work for Business

    NTT is making optical networks easier to deploy and manage with automation and digital twin technology, boosting speed, agility, and business value.

    Read NTT Insight
  • Woman checking infrastructure

    Data-Centric Infrastructure

    NTT’s Data-Centric Infrastructure reimagines enterprise computing with optical networking, dynamic resource orchestration, and massive energy savings.

    Read NTT Insight

The All-Photonics Network Enables the Next-Generation Digital Economy

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Pioneering
the future together

Through the IOWN Global Forum, a global consortium of over 170 companies and organizations from around the world, we are building a new digital foundation that enables global innovation, accelerates sustainable growth, and transforms how we live and work. This next-generation network and computing infrastructure will power the future of AI, data, and connectivity at a scale the current internet cannot support.

General pictures of IOWN Global Forum members at the end of an event

Our initiatives at IOWN Global Forum

  • Sean Lawrence from NTT Inc at the IOWN Global Forum booth at MWC

    Open APN

    Sean Lawrence, Head of IOWN Development Office at NTT, shared how Open APN is improving performance, reducing power consumption, and creating a more flexible infrastructure.

  • Remote surgery exhibit at the R&D Forum

    Building the Next Internet

    With 160+ leading companies, the IOWN Global Forum accelerates photonics-based communications and computing.

  • Yosuke Aragane from NTT Inc

    IOWN Global Forum: Business Value

    Yosuke Aragane explores how IOWN can bring significant business values and foster innovation across industries.

  • Katsutoshi Itoh from Sony

    Early Adopter Use Cases

    Katsutoshi Itoh from Sony discusses early adopter use cases, showcasing how these technologies are set to transform finance, broadcasting and AI.

  • Rod Naphan from Fujitsu

    Transformative Applications

    Rod Naphan from Fujitsu helps us to discover how photonics will help reduce energy consumption across global networks while also enabling transformative applications.

Foundational
Technologies

IOWN’s Foundational Technologies lay the ground for the paradigm change from electronic to photonics ahead

The platform that connects and controls networks, sensors, devices and systems.

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The real and digital worlds combine to predict the future.

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A network which uses photonics-based technology in everything from networks to computers and devices.

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Service Platforms

IOWN Service Platforms unlock the potential in the Foundational Technologies to improve value:

The solution to share real-time, totally synchronized remote experiences in all kinds of fields.

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The integration of fixed and wireless networks combined with environment information to optimize traffic.

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Creating a simplified system with data hubs instead of individual data processing units.

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Continue your journey

Research and Development for the long term

Uncover the research shaping tomorrow's solutions.

Explore our AI-driven innovations

Dive into our latest AI research and see how intelligence drives innovation.

Discover our sustainability insights

See the innovations we're building today for a better tomorrow.

Building the Future of Connectivity: IOWN

Explore IOWN, the network powering tomorrow's digital economy.