Marvell is demonstrating next-generation Ethernet and optical networking technology designed to move AI data centers toward 3.2-terabit-per-second (Tbps) optical links.

The important distinction is the physical connection. These are not 3.2T Cat6-style copper cables. Marvell’s 400G-per-lane PAM4 technology provides a path toward 3.2T optical Ethernet interfaces carried over fiber. Very short data-center links can still use copper direct-attach cables, while longer rack-to-rack and switch-to-switch connections increasingly rely on fiber optics.

At ECOC 2026, Marvell is also demonstrating 1.6T coherent optics and a 102.4 Tbps co-packaged-optics platform. Co-packaged optics places optical interfaces closer to switch silicon, reducing the electrical distance data must travel before entering fiber.

The technology complements the company’s broader U.S. AI-networking expansion. BitcoinVersus.tech recently covered GlobalFoundries and Marvell expanding U.S. chip capacity for AI networking.

As AI clusters grow, the physical network is becoming as important as the accelerators: Ethernet switches, copper DACs, optical transceivers, fiber cabling and silicon photonics all determine how quickly thousands of GPUs can communicate.

Source: Marvell ECOC 2026 announcement.

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