Furukawa Electric and Lightera's Snap-Beam™ Connector for Co-Packaged Optics Wins ECOC Fibre Infrastructure Innovation Award 2026

Compact, high-density optical connectivity technology advances next-generation CPO systems for AI and data-center networks

MALAGA, Spain, Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Furukawa Electric and Lightera today announced that Snap-Beam™ Connector, Compact, Detachable Optical Connector for PIC Integration, developed by Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., has won the Fibre Infrastructure Innovation Award at the ECOC Exhibition Industry Awards 2026. Furukawa Electric was recognized for its innovation in optical connectivity technology supporting next-generation co-packaged optics (CPO) and high-capacity optical communications infrastructure.

The award-winning Snap-Beam Connector is designed to provide compact, detachable optical connectivity between photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and optical fibers in CPO systems. By enabling high-density optical I/O in a small footprint, the technology supports the practical implementation of next-generation AI infrastructure and high-performance data-center networks.

The Snap-Beam Connector is currently being exhibited at the Lightera booth 1058 during ECOC 2026. In addition, Furukawa Electric will present the latest progress of the technology during the ECOC 2026 Technical Conference on Thursday morning 11:15 – 11:30AM Conference Room 2.2. The presentation will introduce an 8 × 40-channel gang connector utilizing Snap-Beam technology, enabling simultaneous connection of 320 optical channels for CPO applications.

About Snap-Beam Connector

Snap-Beam Connector is a compact, detachable optical connector technology developed by Furukawa Electric for PIC and CPO applications. The technology combines expanded-beam optical coupling, easy and automatic connection utilizing magnets, and reflow compatibility to enable high-density optical interconnections with low insertion loss and excellent usability.

Related Information

• ECOC Exhibition Industry Awards 2026 [ecocexhibition.com]
• Previous Snap-Beam™ Connector Press Release [furukawaelectric.com]

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions. Built on a legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

With operational headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera serves customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets.

Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a pioneer in advancing the next generation of infrastructure through integrated solutions in connectivity, information, energy, and mobility, to create a safe, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Please visit lightera.com 

SOURCE Lightera, LLC