Atlanta, September 29th / PRNewswire / -- SCTE TechExpo —— AOI (Nasdaq ticker: AAOI), a leading provider of advanced optical communications and HFC network products that support AI, today announced its schedule for demonstrations, new products, milestone celebrations, and speeches at the SCTE TechExpo 2026 event to be held in Atlanta from September 29th to October 2nd.

For the complete interactive multi-channel press release, please visit: https :// www.multivu.com / aoi /9418951- en-aoi-ships-millionth-amplifier-unveils-new-products-at-scte-techexpo-2026

Under the theme “Network Intelligence . Delivered .”, AOI will be receiving customers and partners at booth 1448 in Hall B this week. The exhibits will include the Quantum18 ® amplifier product portfolio, the QuantumLink ™ software product portfolio for remote network management and predictive maintenance, as well as the debut of the new QuantumWave ™ adjustable module. This module is designed to standardize the transmission optics between network cores, aggregation nodes, and access nodes.

Create Milestones

In the center of the booth, AOI, there will be a golden Quantum 18 HGD amplifier display device that is capable of operating normally, to commemorate one of the most important hardware milestones in the industry: the shipment of the 1 millionth 1.8GHz amplifier by AOI Quantum Bandwidth.

This milestone reflects over 25 years of manufacturing innovation. AOI has been producing HFC amplifiers since 1997, initially based on the GainMaker platform. For many years, it has produced and sold these amplifiers for industry technology suppliers as a ODM partner. In 2023, AOI launched the Quantum Bandwidth brand, combining its accumulated manufacturing experience with intelligent, predictive software to support autonomous network operations with AI, enabling faster fault detection and response. To date, AOI has shipped over 1 million 1.8GHz amplifiers, becoming an important part of the national broadband network infrastructure.

AOI, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Broadband Business, Steve Pederson stated: " SCTE TechExpo is where our customers learn about future trends. This year, we have brought the results of our dedicated research and development efforts to realize our vision for future connectivity. Whether it's the 3.0GHz real-time network running at the booth or the 1 millionth 1.8GHz amplifier that we have shipped, every element we displayed this year reflects the same commitment: to build the intelligent infrastructure that operators need to provide a broadband experience that people can trust."

Booth Site: How AOI Helps Customers Expand Spectrum and Manage Intelligent Networks

One of the highlights of the booth was a demonstration of a pioneering concept, showcasing real-time operation at 3.0GHz downlink on a coaxial network, indicating that the spectrum migration path can continue to go beyond 1.8GHz. The demonstration was composed of actually functional hardware, including a 3.0GHz concept amplifier, SC-QAM, OFDM channels, and a 3.0GHz DOCSIS signal generator.

The on-site demonstration wall also showcased the complete QuantumLink remote management software platform of AOI. This platform runs in real-time on actual AOI amplifiers and nodes. Today, the company launched new AI drive functions within this platform, enabling operators to transform visualizations into immediate actions. The new features include:

• AI Driven Automatic Fault Detection and LocationTracing the source of network failures has long been a slow and manual process, often requiring technicians to be on-site. QuantumLink Central utilizes AI to detect faults and remotely and automatically pinpoint the exact location of the issue, thereby reducing troubleshooting time and minimizing the need for on-site visits.
• Network Health and Device HealthQuantumLink Central provides operators with a clear and real-time view of the overall network health status. The health insights driven by AI help teams quickly identify the areas that require the most attention, thereby allowing them to prioritize their work and shift from passive troubleshooting to proactive network management.

AOI Broadband Service Software and the person in charge of AI, Sahil Yadav, stated: "Every hour that the on-site team spends identifying the source of network issues is an hour that cannot be used for the next upgrade. We build these new AI capabilities in QL Central to relieve operators of this burden. It provides them with a clear view of network health, early warnings of potential failures, and automated tools for remotely locating and resolving issues. This is a practical step towards autonomous network operations, and we look forward to demonstrating it on-site in SCTE TechExpo."

AOI will also showcase a variety of configurations from its Quantum18 amplifier family, including versions HGBT, HGD, MB, BLE, Bridge, and GSN Node, allowing engineers and procurement teams to get up close with these popular amplifiers that currently support North American broadband networks.

Debut: QuantumWave Adjustable Module

SCTE TechExpo 2026 is also the public debut of the new QuantumWave ™ 25G adjustable SFP; it is the latest member of the Quantum Bandwidth product family. With operators deploying DOCSIS 4.0 and distributed access architectures (DAA), the transmission links between CCAP or virtualized cores, aggregation hubs, and Remote PHY / Remote MACPHY devices are increasingly unable to meet the demands of traditional 10G connections. QuantumWave provides a more cost-effective and smaller-sized option for relay and backhaul links. Operators can initially deploy 10G and switch to 25G as traffic demand increases, without the need to replace optical modules.

The main advantages include:

• Dual-mode operation at 10G/25G speedsIt can be configured as 10G or 25G within the same hot-swappable SFP28 module, allowing for capacity expansion without the need to replace hardware.
• Simplify inventoryThe narrow-line-width C-band tunable laser covers 48 DWDM channels (channels 16 to 63 of ITU, with an interval of 100GHz), and a single part number can replace spare parts that are differentiated by wavelength.
• Longer transmission distanceOn single-mode fiber, the maximum distance can reach up to 40 kilometers at 25G and up to 80 kilometers at 10G, when equipped with a APD receiver and a CDR with electronic dispersion compensation.
• Suitable for external networksThe operating temperature range is from -20°C to 85°C, and it supports cold start at -40°C. A copper top cover is used to assist in heat dissipation.
• Low power consumptionPower consumption is less than 4.5W under a single 3.3V power supply.

Speech segment: "Intelligent 6GHz HFC Network"

AOI Broadband Business Software and the person in charge of AI, Sahil Yadav, will give a speech on the integration of expanded spectrum and network intelligence. In the session titled "Intelligent 6GHz HFC Networks", the discussion guests will explore what insights the current 1.8GHz network AI driven operations can bring to the transition towards 3GHz and 6GHz, including how to transform intelligent amplifier telemetry into predictive insights, and how operators need to build trust before automated takeover. This session is considered essential content that technology and business leaders, network architects, and operational teams that are deciding how to incorporate AI and expanded spectrum into their network roadmaps should not miss. Attendees with a full pass can participate in this session from 12:45 to 2:00 on Wednesday, September 30th, at the Convergence stage. For more details, please see here.

New Insights: AOI TechExpo Blog Series

AOI has published two new blogs as reference resources for cable operators to plan their next round of network upgrades. In the Q&A blog "What is Really Needed to Get a Network Up and Running" ( AI ), Sahil Yadav, the Senior Director of Broadband Business Software Development at AOI, explains why accurate telemetry and network visualization, rather than the AI models themselves, are the foundation for moving AI from pilot projects to a production environment, and where operators should start with automation.

The accompanying checklist blog “DOCSIS 4.0 Deployment: Questions Every Operator Should Ask” covers key issues that operators should answer before replacing amplifiers: which parts of the network should be upgraded first, whether passive devices, power supplies, and transmission optics are ready, and how remote management can change daily operations.

Launch “Hot Topics”

“Hot Topics” is a new video series launched by AOI, which combines frank conversations with important industry guests with the tasting of chicken wings and the latest, spicy sauces. In each episode, guests gradually taste increasingly spicy sauces while answering sharp questions. The first episode invited the president of CableLabs and CTO Mark Bridges; during the tasting process, they discussed technical decisions that define the next chapter of broadband, priorities for operators, and industry changes. You can watch the first episode here.

AOI " Spicy Slice " Season 2 is launched

The " Spicy Slice " promotional campaign of AOI is back, bringing a new round of bold experts from the cable industry. While tasting the new spicy sauce, they also embrace new challenges! You can watch the new season here. Welcome to the booth to try various flavors such as Packet Loss Pete (created for the cautious), and Coaxial Combustion (created for those who dare to try the most).

New White Paper: Beyond 1.8GHz: Assessing the Path to 3.0GHz

AOI has also released a new white paper titled "Beyond 1.8GHz: Assessing the Path to 3.0GHz HFC Networks" to assist wired operators in planning their next phase of spectrum expansion. This white paper provides operators with a three-part decision-making framework that covers engineering constraints, engineering countermeasures, as well as operational and economic factors. You can read the white paper here.

New Podcast Episode: “The Layer 1 Lounge” within AOI Studio: “Beyond DOCSIS 4.0: Is 3GHz the Future of Wired Networks?”

The wired industry is vigorously advancing the deployment of DOCSIS 4.0 at 1.8GHz, so why have engineers already begun discussing 3GHz? In this podcast episode, AOI, the head of broadband business product management, Corey Chapman, analyzed what is truly required to push HFC networks to 3.0GHz: the physical principles of signal loss, trade-offs in amplifier architecture, energy efficiency constraints, and the consensus that is still being formed within the industry.

More resources:

• AOI Quantum Bandwidth
• AOI HFC Amplifiers
• QuantumLink
• QuantumWave
• AOI Newsroom
• AOI Studio

About AOI

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. (AOI) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced optical communications and HFC network products. These products are fundamental components of global AI data centers, cable television, and broadband fiber access networks. AOI provides this critical infrastructure to tier-one customers in the cloud computing, cable television broadband, telecommunications, and FTTH markets. The company has research and development facilities in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as engineering and manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Shugran, Texas, and in Taipei and Ningbo, China. For more information, please visit www.ao-inc.com.