Globalfoundries IncStrong AI and data center optical networking demand drove 62% YoY growth in its communications infrastructure business.

GlobalFoundries Inc. is expanding its photonics presence through a new partnership with SMART Photonics. The collaboration will offer an open-access manufacturing service combining silicon and indium phosphide photonics, helping customers develop next-generation optical products that move data faster and more efficiently. The move builds on accelerating demand for optical networking technologies in AI and data center applications: in the second quarter of 2026, GlobalFoundries' communications infrastructure and data center business recorded 62% year-over-year revenue growth, its seventh consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. The company works with four of the five largest optical transceiver players and is moving toward 1.6 terabit and 3.2 terabit optical modules, with production of its 200-gigabit-per-lane technology already underway. The financial contribution from the SMART relationship will likely take some time to show up in results, though strong AI and optical networking demand is expected to boost the photonics portfolio in the long run.
Globalfoundries IncStrong AI and data center optical networking demand drove 62% YoY growth in its communications infrastructure business.
Coherent Inc
Tower Semiconductor LtdSMART Photonics partners with GlobalFoundries to offer open-access silicon and indium phosphide photonics manufacturing.