400G Makes Headlines — But 10G, 40G, and 100G Still Rule the Ground Game

TFO Blog 400G Makes Headlines — But 10G, 40G, and 100G Still Rule the Ground Game

Summary:
While the optical industry is focused on the evolution of 400G, 800G, and 1.6T technologies, the reality on the ground tells a different story: most active deployments in 2025 still rely heavily on 10G, 40G, and 100G transceivers.

According to Mordor Intelligence, transceivers in the 10–40 Gbps range account for more than 42% of all global unit shipments, driven by sustained demand in enterprise, campus, and edge networks. These speeds continue to dominate real-world builds—not only due to legacy equipment—but because they still match the throughput needs of the majority of switching infrastructure.
Source: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/optical-transceiver-market

Company Homepages

• Mordor Intelligence: https://www.mordorintelligence.com
  
  

• LightCounting: https://www.lightcounting.com
  
  

• Lightwave: https://www.lightwaveonline.com
  
  

• TenFourOptics: https://www.tenfouroptics.com
  
  

Transceiver Tip of the Day

QSFP-40G-SR4 modules use MTP/MPO connectors — not LC.
To connect to 10G ports, use an MTP to 4× LC breakout cable with Type B polarity and verify proper lane alignment. Most 40G deployment failures stem from cable mismatches, not the module itself.

Action Points

• Focus your replenishment on 10G–100G modules—these are still the transceivers causing real deployment delays.
  
  

• Use ROY to instantly match legacy part numbers or EOL OEM SKUs.
  
  

• TFO modules are tested in real switches, include BER/eye data, and ship with lifetime coverage.
  
  

What It Means for You

• IT leads: Don’t delay rollouts waiting on 400G. TFO can keep your current projects moving now.
  
  

• Procurement: 10G and 40G are still the most reordered SKUs. Secure them ahead of Q4 lead-time risk.
  
  

• Install teams: Reduce site risk. TFO modules are plug-and-go—validated, fast, and backed for life.
  
  

Shopper Watchlist – In-Stock by Speed

• 1G Modules (SFP 1G) – Copper (T), SX, LX/LH, ZX, and more
  https://tenfouroptics.com/collections/sfp-1g
  
  

• 10G Modules (SFP+ 10G) – SR, LR, ER, ZR, BiDi, DWDM, and more
  https://tenfouroptics.com/collections/sfp-10g
  
  

• 40G Modules (QSFP+ 40G) – SR4, LR4, ER4, breakout-ready
  https://tenfouroptics.com/collections/qsfp-40-gigabit

 Get 20% off your next order with CODE: #greenlights4life