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GlobalFoundries Reports Strong Demand for Chinese Optical Modules Amid Data Centre Expansion

economy-finance · 2026-09-27

GlobalFoundries, a US contract chipmaker, is expanding its footprint in China to serve domestic optical module manufacturers more effectively. Shankaran Janardhanan, senior vice-president of the company's photonics and radio frequency division, described demand in the optical networking module segment as "strong" during an interview with the South China Morning Post. The demand surge is tied to the ongoing data centre construction boom. GlobalFoundries is carving out a niche by catering to Chinese optical module makers, deepening its presence in the Chinese market. The company's photonics and radio frequency division is directly involved in serving this segment. Janardhanan's comments underscore the robust appetite for Chinese optical modules despite broader geopolitical tensions in the semiconductor sector. The interview was published by the South China Morning Post. No specific financial figures, production volumes, or timelines were disclosed in the source material.

Key facts

  • GlobalFoundries is a US contract chipmaker.
  • The company sees strong demand for Chinese optical modules.
  • Demand is driven by the data centre construction boom.
  • Shankaran Janardhanan is senior vice-president of the photonics and radio frequency division.
  • Janardhanan described demand in the optical networking module segment as "strong".
  • GlobalFoundries is deepening its presence in the Chinese market.
  • The firm is carving out a niche serving China's optical module makers.
  • The comments were made in an interview with the South China Morning Post.

Entities

Artists

  • Shankaran Janardhanan

Institutions

  • GlobalFoundries
  • South China Morning Post

Locations

  • China
  • United States

Sources