NTT's iOwn fund will be jointly operated by NTT and partners from the U.S., South Korea, Taiwan and Japan - Nikkei

NTT is establishing a multinational investment fund worth approximately $500 million to advance its next-generation optical communications technology, according to reports. The fund will be jointly operated by NTT and partners from the U.S., South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. This initiative aligns with NTT’s broader strategy to promote the adoption of its Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) technology in global data centers and other infrastructure applications.

The IOWN initiative, which leverages photonic technology, aims to deliver ultra-high capacity, ultra-low latency, and ultra-low power consumption in communications infrastructure. NTT has been actively working to position IOWN as a global standard for next-generation networks, with collaborations already underway in regions such as Taiwan and Japan. For instance, in 2024, Chunghwa Telecom and NTT activated the world’s first international IOWN All-Photonics Network (APN) between the two countries, achieving 16.92 milliseconds over 3,000 km.

The new fund is expected to accelerate the development and deployment of IOWN-based solutions, particularly in AI and smart infrastructure applications. NTT has also partnered with companies such as Edgecore Networks and Chunghwa Telecom to demonstrate cross-border AI inference and intelligent transportation systems. These efforts underscore the growing importance of open, modular infrastructure in supporting distributed computing and global connectivity.

By securing investment from key technology markets, NTT aims to strengthen its position in the evolving landscape of optical networking and AI-driven infrastructure. The fund’s structure and international collaboration reflect the increasing demand for scalable, low-latency solutions in data-intensive industries.