Announcement of Contract Award for Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ‘Research Project on Deployment of All-Photonics Network Technologies in Overseas AI Data Centers’

Purpose of the research is to validate adoption of open* all-photonics networks in AI data centers in overseas markets

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ACCESS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO Kiyo Oishi; hereinafter “ACCESS”) today announced that it has been awarded a contract from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) for a “Research Project on Development of All-Photonics Network Technologies in Overseas AI Data Centers.” ACCESS will conduct the project in collaboration with its U.S. subsidiary, IP Infusion (Headquarters: Santa Clara, California), a global leader in open networking solutions. The project will leverage IP Infusion’s expertise in optical communication technologies and open network operating systems (OS), as well as its strong relationships with telecom operators worldwide.

The following three use cases will be verified through this project. They are important use cases for AI data centers, and this verification will accelerate adoption of All-Photonics Networks (APNs) in the AI data center market. An All-Photonics Network (APN) is an advanced optical architecture that utilizes end-to-end light paths to transmit and route data in the optical domain, bypassing high-power-consuming electronic processing to deliver massive bandwidth and near-zero latency.

1. External connections for AI data centers

2. Internal connections at AI data centers

3. Distributed AI data center solutions

MIC announced a ‘Comprehensive Strategy for Digital Overseas Expansion 2030’ in June 2025, positioning APNs as core infrastructure for supporting the coming AI era and aiming for Japanese companies to rank among the top three in global market share for high-end optical transmission equipment by around 2030.

Meanwhile, as investment in AI data centers surges globally due to growing demand for generative AI and cloud services, the market for AI data center communications equipment has become effectively oligopolistic, with increasing reliance on proprietary solutions from specific GPU vendors. Consequently, the market structure makes it difficult for Japanese companies with strengths in the optical transmission field to enter the AI data center market, and their current involvement is limited to low-value-added areas such as optical cables and the provision of land and power.

To break through this structure, ACCESS and IP Infusion aim to use this project to facilitate the adoption of open network operating systems and promote the use of APNs in AI data centers, thereby eliminating vendor lock-in, diversifying the supply chain, fostering an open ecosystem, and creating opportunities for market entry. Distributed AI data centers that leverage the high capacity, low latency, and low power consumption of APNs will also serve as a model for addressing Japan-specific land constraints, power, natural-disaster, and renewable-energy challenges, and as a stepping stone to global expansion.

ACCESS and IP Infusion will contribute to the global deployment of Japan’s all-photonics networks through this project.

* “Open networking” refers to open specifications and functions of the disaggregated hardware and software that build a network, enabling the freedom of multi-vendor equipment, choice of services, and interoperability.

About ACCESS

Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (TSE Prime Market: 4813) has been providing advanced IT solutions centered on mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting, the automotive industry and energy infrastructure providers around the world. Utilizing its network virtualization technology expertise and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialization of DX/IoT solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company maintains subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally.

For more information, visit https://www.access-company.com/en/

About IP Infusion

IP Infusion develops open network software for carriers, service providers, and data centers. Its flagship OcNOS® platform powers disaggregated networks worldwide, allowing operators to reduce TCO and avoid vendor lock-in. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., IP Infusion is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD.

For more information, visit https://www.ipinfusion.com/

IP Infusion and OcNOS are trademarks or registered trademarks of IP Infusion. ACCESS is a registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries. All other trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, or registered service marks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.