Applied Optoelectronics has started construction to expand its Pearland, Texas, manufacturing campus, adding nearly 400,000 square feet of capacity intended to scale production of 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers.

The work covers two adjacent properties at 14621 Kirby Drive and 11555 N. Spectrum Boulevard in Pearland. The added space is tied to the company’s plan to increase output of its 800G and 1.6T optical transceivers used for fiber-optic links in AI and cloud infrastructure.

For data center operators, the key point is straightforward: 800G is already a mainstream port speed in high-performance networks, and 1.6T is the next step in pushing more bandwidth per fiber. More manufacturing capacity doesn’t change link budgets or switch architectures, but it can affect supply availability and lead times for the optics that determine how quickly networks can be built out or upgraded.

“As we continue to grow and expand our Houston-area footprint, Pearland offers us access to a strong workforce, excellent infrastructure, and room to scale our operations,” said Dr. Stefan Murry, chief financial officer and chief strategy officer at Applied Optoelectronics. “These facilities will be instrumental in supporting our long-term growth strategy, enabling us to expand production of advanced optical transceivers and strengthen AOI’s position as a key supplier to the AI and cloud infrastructure markets.”

Quentin Wiltz, mayor of the City of Pearland, said the project “will bring high-quality jobs, strengthen our local economy, and deepen the innovation ecosystem that makes Pearland a destination for forward-looking companies.”

Links: Applied Optoelectronics | Pearland Economic Development Corporation

Source: Applied Optoelectronics