SoftBank and Cisco Light Up Japan’s First All-Optical Metro Network — Slashing Energy Use by 90%

In a bold move to redefine urban connectivity and sustainability, SoftBank Corp. has partnered with Cisco to launch Japan’s first All-Optical Metro Network. The initiative, announced in October 2025, marks a major leap in telecom infrastructure—one that promises to cut energy consumption by up to 90% while preparing Japan’s cities for the data demands of the AI era.

The Technology Behind the Transformation

Scope of All optical network deployment

At the heart of this next-generation network lies Cisco’s Routed Optical Networking architecture, a paradigm shift that eliminates the need for traditional optical-electrical-optical (O-E-O) conversions. Instead of converting light signals into electrical ones at each node—a process that consumes significant power and space—the new system enables end-to-end optical transmission across metro networks.

• Cisco 8000 Series Routers: Built for scale and efficiency, supporting 400G and beyond. These routers enable massive throughput with minimal energy draw.
• Cisco Silicon One Q200 Chips: Custom-built ASICs delivering up to 7x the switching capacity of previous generations while consuming half the power.
• Segment Routing and EVPN: Advanced routing protocols optimize traffic flow, reduce latency, and simplify operations across metro domains.

Why It Matters: Energy, AI, and the Future of Connectivity

SoftBank’s new metro network isn’t just about speed—it’s about sustainability. By removing power-hungry transponders and simplifying the network architecture, the all-optical design dramatically reduces energy use and carbon emissions. This aligns with SoftBank’s broader commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

• Massive bandwidth for data-intensive applications
• Lower latency for real-time services like autonomous vehicles and smart cities
• Reduced operational complexity through converged infrastructure

Deployment and Roadmap

The first phase of the rollout was completed in Osaka Prefecture in September 2025. SoftBank plans to expand the network nationwide by 2027, building on its nationwide core optical network completed in 2023. This metro layer will serve as the connective tissue between core and access networks, enabling seamless, high-speed data flow across Japan’s urban centers.

A Strategic Alliance

This collaboration deepens the longstanding relationship between SoftBank and Cisco, who have worked together on multiple network modernization efforts. According to SoftBank’s CTO Keiichi Makizono, “This next-generation network will not only support our growing data demands but also contribute significantly to our sustainability goals.”

Kevin Wollenweber, SVP and GM of Cisco Networking, echoed the sentiment:

Our Routed Optical Networking solution is designed to help customers like SoftBank build a more scalable, efficient, and sustainable internet for the future.