The FutuRe Optical NeTworking (FRONT) Workshop 2025 took place on July 10, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. This one-day event brought together leading experts in optical networking to discuss cutting-edge technologies and architectural advancements shaping the next generation of fixed networks. The 2025 edition was co-located with the ICTON Conference, allowing participants to attend both events.
About the Workshop
The FRONT Workshop is dedicated to discovering technologies that enable progress towards future generations of optical networks. Its objective was to foster a revolution in fixed network technology, leading to extensive Fiber-To-The-Everywhere/Everything (FTTE) networks capable of supporting new service categories and reaching new markets and end users.
This year’s edition expanded its scope to cover technologies and systems enabling various application areas of short-reach optical networks, from AI clusters to 6G x-haul networks. The workshop featured keynote talks, invited presentations, and panel discussions with global participants, creating an academic salon atmosphere for free discussion of future communications technologies.
Key Topics
The workshop covered a wide range of cutting-edge topics in optical networking. The topics of primary interest included:
- Optical Communication systems and networks for AI clusters and Data centers
- Optical Communication systems and networks for x-haul and next generation FTTx
- Optical interconnects for AI clusters and data centers
- Optical x-haul for 6G
- Optical signal processing for next generation transceivers
Program – July 10, 2025, Barcelona, Spain
The workshop was structured around two main themes: morning sessions focused on optical communications for AI clusters and data centers, while afternoon sessions shifted to optical communication for x-haul and next-generation FTTx. Each part featured keynote speeches from international experts, invited talks by speakers based in Europe, and interactive discussions.
| Time | Session | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30–09:00 | Welcome | Ioannis Tomkos (2024 Roadmap presentation) Chuck Mattera (Avalanche Thinking Inc; Former President & CEO, COHERENT Inc) Josep Solé-Pareta (UPC, Local Chair of ICTON’25) |
| 09:00–09:30 | Keynote Speech | Paolo Costa (Microsoft) |
| 09:30–10:30 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | Yosef Ben Ezra (NewPhotonics) Nicola Calabretta (Eindhoven University of Technology) Ana Gonzalez (iPRONICS) Frank Smyth (Pilot Photonics) |
| 10:30–11:00 | Coffee break | |
| 11:00–12:00 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | Ioannis Tomkos (University of Patras) Pantelis Diamantopoulos (NTT) Antonio Teixeira (PICadvanced) Luca Poti (CNIT) |
| 12:00–12:30 | Panel discussions | |
| 12:30–14:00 | Break | |
| 14:00–14:30 | Keynote Speech | Polina Bayvel (UCL) |
| 14:30–15:30 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | Ernesto Ciaramella (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna) Paolo Monti (Chalmers) Vanessa Villegas (Telefónica) Massimo Tornatore (Politecnico di Milano) |
| 15:30–16:00 | Coffee break | |
| 16:00–17:00 | Invited Talks – 4 talks (15 minutes each) | Josep Fabregas (CTTC) Adam Kapovics (Eurescom GmbH) Antonio Napoli (Nokia) Ivan Cano (Huawei) |
| 17:00–17:30 | Panel discussions | |
| 17:30–18:00 | 2025 Roadmaps preparation | Ioannis Tomkos (2025 Roadmap preparation) |
Panel Topics
DC/AI clusters: The morning sessions focused on optical communications for AI clusters and data centers, featuring invited talks and discussions from both international and European experts.
X-Haul/FTTx: The afternoon sessions shifted to optical communication for x-haul and next-generation FTTx, again with a mix of keynote speeches, invited talks, and interactive panels.
Keynote Speakers
The workshop showcased distinguished keynote speakers who provided global perspectives on advancements in optical networking:
- Paolo Costa (Microsoft)
- Polina Bayvel (University College London)
Invited Speakers
A lineup of esteemed invited speakers contributed valuable insights on relevant technology developments:
- Yosef Ben Ezra (NewPhotonics)
- Nicola Calabretta (Eindhoven University of Technology)
- Ana Gonzalez (iPRONICS)
- Frank Smyth (Pilot Photonics)
- Ioannis Tomkos (University of Patras)
- Pantelis Diamantopoulos (NTT)
- Antonio Teixeira (PICadvanced)
- Luca Poti (CNIT)
- Ernesto Ciaramella (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna)
- Paolo Monti (Chalmers)
- Vanessa Villegas (Telefónica)
- Massimo Tornatore (Politecnico di Milano)
- Josep Fabregas (CTTC)
- Adam Kapovics (Eurescom GmbH)
- Antonio Napoli (Nokia)
- Ivan Cano (Huawei)
Organizers
Co-Chairs
- Prof. Ioannis Tomkos — University of Patras ([email protected])
- Prof. Josep Prat † — Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Technical Program Chairs
- Prof. Dan Marom — Hebrew University of Jerusalem ([email protected])
- Dr. Raul Muñoz — Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya ([email protected])
International Technical Program Committee
- Dr. Laia Nadal — Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC)
- Dr. Pantea Nadimi Goki — National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications (CNIT)
- Dr. Claudia Hoessbacher — Polariton Technologies
- Dr. Luca Poti — National Inter-University Consortium for Telecommunications (CNIT)
- Prof. Moshe Nazarathy — Technion University
- Prof. Antonio Teixeira — University of Aveiro
- Dr. Jose Manuel Rivas Moscoso — Telefónica
- Prof. Stelios Sygletos — Aston University
- Dr. Dimitris Klonidis — Ubitech
- Prof. Konstantinos Yiannopoulos — University of Peloponnese
- Prof. Michael Logothetis — University of Patras
† In memoriam
Venue
The FRONT Workshop 2025 was held at the UPC Vèrtex Building, a modern and well-equipped facility located within the university district of Barcelona, Spain. The event took place in the “Sala d’Actes” (Conference Room) of the Vèrtex Building, on the Campus Nord, alongside the main Auditorium. FRONT 2025 was co-located with ICTON.
Location and Surroundings
The UPC Vèrtex Building (Edificio Vèrtex) is located in the heart of Barcelona’s university district, providing a modern and accessible venue for the FRONT 2025 Workshop. The area combines academic energy with the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
Venue Address: UPC – Edificio Vèrtex (VX), Plaça d’Eusebi Güell, 6, Les Corts, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. View on Google Maps
Highlights of the Location:
- Convenient public transport access via Metro and Bus
- Walking distance to the Camp Nou stadium and university green spaces
- A short metro ride from Barcelona’s cultural and historical landmarks, including Plaça Catalunya, the Gothic Quarter, and the Sagrada Família
This central location offered participants an excellent opportunity to explore Barcelona’s rich architectural heritage, cultural sites, and Mediterranean atmosphere while attending the workshop.
Related Events
The FRONT Workshop was scheduled to coincide with the ICTON Conference (July 6, 2025, Barcelona), allowing participants to attend both events.
Conclusion
The FRONT Workshop 2025 continued its mission of bringing together industry leaders, academics, and researchers to advance innovative solutions for the future of optical networks. Spanning AI clusters and data centers in the morning and x-haul and next-generation FTTx in the afternoon, the workshop fostered open dialogue, strengthened collaboration across academia and industry, and contributed to the preparation of the 2025 technology roadmaps shaping the path towards future generations of optical networks.