Lumentum Holdings Inc. announced the formation of the SmartTuning Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) group with other industry suppliers to standardize an interoperable self-tuning feature for full-band tunable dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) pluggable optical transceivers. Simplified and automated optical solutions are critical to addressing the rapidly growing demand for high-capacity 5G and next-generation mobile networks. The SmartTuning MSA supports this by standardizing the self-tuning feature which will enable multi-vendor interoperability to aid the scale of 5G fronthaul applications. In contrast to fixed wavelength transceivers, tunable solutions require only a single part number allowing for easier forecasting and inventory management. Incorporating the plug-and-play, self-tunable feature adds an extra layer of automation which further simplifies network installation and operation practices. Self-tunable DWDM pluggables eliminate the need for labeling or tracking fibers, reducing the overall operational cost for service providers. Additionally, the self-tuning functionality does not require new integration–within systems, the function can be enabled or disabled.