OFC 2020 is still happening, the show's management said, despite recent exhibitor pull-outs, which include Infinera, Viavi and Ciena.

Phil Harvey, Editor-in-Chief

February 27, 2020

4 Min Read
OFC 2020 management: The show will go on

The Optical Fiber Conference (OFC) is holding steady and said it is still going to put on a show.

After a run of about 40 years the optical networking trade show, which is set to begin March 8 in San Diego, is looking to be in trouble as more exhibitors and participants are pulling out due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19, caused by a new member of the coronavirus family that's similar to SARS and MERS.

The spread of the new virus shut down Mobile World Congress Barcelona, one of the world's largest telecom and tech trade shows, earlier this month.

This morning, optical networking vendor and key OFC exhibitor Infinera pulled out of the show.

"While we were looking forward to attending OFC 2020, the premier optical networking conference, and showcasing our latest innovations, our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, and our concern extends to the welfare and well-being of our customers, partners and others in our community," said Tom Fallon, Infinera's CEO, in a statement emailed to the media and investors.

OFC management replied to Light Reading's inquiries with the following:

"We are excited to confirm that OFC 2020 is still on and going strong. The conference will be held as planned 8 – 12 March in San Diego, California, with a high-quality technical program and exhibition. OFC Management is fully committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all OFC attendees. We have heard from many exhibitors that they are committed to attend OFC and we thank them for their continued engagement. OFC Management respects the decision of exhibitors who decided to cancel their participation and look forward to partnering with them in the future."

Several other companies have backed out of OFC and we'll keep a running list.

Company

Status

Details

Acacia Communications

Withdrawal confirmed.

The optical components vendora announced on February 27 it was pulling out "due to growing global concerns surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak."

Ciena

Withdrawal confirmed.

Announced and reported on February 25.

Cisco

Withdrawal confirmed.

The networking giant said on February 28 that it won't be at OFC or the HIMSS event, which was scheduled for the same week.

Fujitsu Network Communications

Withdrawal reported.

Mentioned on Twitter by Cignal AI analyst Scott Wilkinson.

Huawei

Exhibition withdrawal confirmed.

The company may have N. American, European and other staff attending technical sessions but it won't be hosting a booth on the show floor.

Infinera

Withdrawal confirmed.

The optical networking vendor announced its withdrawal on February 27.

Intel

Withdrawal confirmed.

Intel confirmed its withdrawal from OFC in a February 27 email to Light Reading.

Lumentum

Withdrawal confirmed.

The optical components vendor annnounced its decision on February 25.

Nokia

Withdrawal confirmed.

The company announced its OFC withdrawal on February 28.

OFS

Withdrawal confirmed.

The optical fiber maker announced its withdrawal from OFC on February 27.

Verizon

Withdrawal reported.

Verizon reps told Heavy Reading that they were not sending staff to OFC this year.

VIAVI

Withdrawal confirmed.

The network test company announced to analysts and press via email on February 26 that it "has chosen to cancel its participation in OFC 2020."

Source: Companies, industry analysts, Light Reading

Phil Harvey, US Bureau Chief, Light Reading

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About the Author(s)

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

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