Oclaro Inc. (Nasdaq: OCLR) is announcing a 100Gbit/s coherent optical module on Thursday, saying its devices will start shipping in April.

The company joins Opnext Inc. (Nasdaq: OPXT) as the first two to declare readiness for 100Gbit/s transponders that conform to the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) framework, fitting in a module 5 inches by 7 inches.

The MI 8000XM, as Oclaro calls its device, stems from technology developed at Mintera, which Oclaro acquired last year. But one key component, the digital signal processor needed for coherent reception, comes from the outside, from NTT Electronics Corp. (NEL) .

Why this matters
With Oclaro and Opnext both set to ship in April, it looks like the 100Gbit/s supply chain is shaping up as expected.

The target here is the second generation of 100Gbit/s systems. The first generation is being built with in-house components, which is helping keep the systems expensive. Vendors have an interest in seeing that change, because price is continually being cited as a sticking point for 100Gbit/s adoption. (See 7 Things to Know About Carrier Ethernet.)

The Oclaro and Opnext announcements suggest the supply chain will be ready for that second generation, which should lower costs and, in theory at least, help stoke 100Gbit/s demand. So far, that scenario is holding together.

For more
A few other 100Gbit/s items of note.

— Craig Matsumoto, West Coast Editor, Light Reading