The Rise of MPO16 in 800G Transceivers: Why It’s Outpacing MPO24

As the demand for higher bandwidth and faster data transmission grows, the technology underpinning network infrastructure is rapidly evolving. Among the key innovations is the rise of 800G transceivers, a critical enabler for next-generation data centers and high-performance computing environments. A notable trend accompanying this advancement is the increasing adoption of the MPO16 (Multi-Fiber Push-On with 16 fibers) connector. While the MPO24 connector was once seen as a promising candidate, several factors have positioned MPO16 as the more favorable choice for 800G transceivers.

 

The Appeal of MPO16 for 800G Applications

MPO16 is gaining traction in 800G transceivers primarily because of its optimized design and alignment with emerging Ethernet standards.

1. Alignment with 400G and 800G Standards

MPO16 perfectly complements the requirements of modern 400G and 800G optical transceivers, which often rely on 8 channels which is equivalent to 16-fiber lanes. For instance, an 800G transceiver which may utilize 8 fibers for transmission and 8 fibers for receive. MPO16 provides an ideal match with these channel architectures, eliminating unused fibers and optimizing cost and efficiency.

2. Improved Fiber Utilization

MPO24 connectors, as their name implies, house 24 fibers, but many of these fibers remain unused in 800G deployments. For example, in a setup requiring 8 transmit and 8 receive fibers (16 total), an MPO24 connector leaves 8 fibers unused, resulting in wasted resources, unless a conversion module is used to convert two MPO24 to three MPO16. In contrast, MPO16 ensures 100% fiber utilization, reducing waste and supporting leaner, more efficient designs.

3. Lower Insertion Loss and Better Performance

MPO16 connectors often offer lower insertion loss compared to MPO24 due to fewer fibers and better alignment in a single row in the connector housing. This translates to improved signal integrity and a more reliable connection, especially critical in high-speed 800G networks where even minor losses can impact overall performance.

4. Simpler Cable Management

In hyperscale data centers, where space and airflow are critical concerns, cord and trunk cable sizes can have an impact. Although the size of the MPO connector itself is the same, optimizing fiber utilization for modern base-8 and base-16 optical transceivers reduces unnecessary cord and cable bulk.

 

Why Not MPO24 for 800G Transceivers?

Despite its early adoption in some high-density applications, MPO24 has fallen out of favor for 800G transceivers due to several key disadvantages.

1. Over-Engineering for Current Needs

MPO24 was designed with flexibility and higher fiber density in mind, making it suitable for legacy multi-lane systems requiring more fibers. However, as Ethernet standards have settled around 16 fibers for 800G applications, MPO24’s extra fibers have become redundant unless managed through conversion modules. This over-engineering introduces unnecessary complexity and cost without providing meaningful benefits.

2. Higher Costs

The additional fibers in MPO24 connectors increase complexity, material costs, and the higher insertion loss and misalignment risk require more rigorous quality control during manufacturing to reduce failure rate. These factors contribute to higher overall costs, making MPO24 less attractive when MPO16 can fulfill the same function more efficiently. Cost of network management increases with larger and complex networks like hypercenters, unless if the network is based on duplex or quad transceivers.

3. Incompatibility with Emerging Standards

Futureproofing is a critical concern for network operators. MPO16’s alignment with evolving Ethernet standards, such as 400GBASE-DR4, 800GBASE-DR8, and beyond, makes it a more viable option for long-term deployments. In contrast, MPO24’s architecture does not align as well with these standards, limiting its applicability in next-gen networks.

4. Backbone Splitting Incompatibility

Although MPO24 has higher density, its deployment creates incompatibility and network deployment inefficiencies. It is suitable for low bandwidth SFP and SFP-DD deployment using LC duplex connectors and MPO to LC modules. However, it does not work well when transitioning to higher bandwidth transceivers. The example below shows the transition from 50G SFP to 800G transceivers using MPO24 connectors which results in unused fibers.

 

As shown in the example below, by deploying MPO16, a much smoother transition can be achieved without any port wastage.

 

Conclusion: MPO16 as the Optimal Choice for 800G

The transition to 800G transceivers marks a significant leap in data center technology, and selecting the right connector is a critical part of ensuring reliable, cost-effective performance. MPO16 has emerged as the clear winner, offering a perfect balance of fiber density, efficiency, and alignment with current and future Ethernet standards.

While MPO24 remains useful in some legacy applications, its disadvantages—such as higher costs, unused fibers, and greater complexity—make it less suited for 800G transceivers. As the industry continues to push the boundaries of speed and scalability, MPO16 is poised to play a central role in the next wave of optical networking innovation.