No Bullshit, Just Optics: Why Thomas Weible Is the Engineer’s Engineer at BalticNOG 2025

At BalticNOG 2025, we’re not just putting speakers on stage — we’re putting ideas that matter in front of the people who build and defend the internet daily. And when it comes to people who live that ethos, Thomas Weible isn’t just a fit — he’s a force.

As the Co-Founder and CTO of Flexoptix GmbH, Thomas has built a career by making optical networking radically simpler, smarter, and more human. His philosophy? No levels, no buzzwords, no bullshit. Just real engineering, accessible tools, and practical guidance for getting things done at the speed of light.

From Software to Silicon: A Unique Trajectory

Thomas started in software, a background that continues to shape his approach to hardware. At Flexoptix, he helped pioneer a product philosophy that treats transceivers not as rigid, vendor-locked hardware but as programmable, adaptable tools.

If you’ve ever flashed a transceiver on-site with Flexbox and thought, “That just saved me hours of pain,” you’ve felt the impact of the approach: engineer-first, interoperability-driven, and constantly aware of the realities of production networks.

Making 400G and Coherent Tech Less Scary

With bandwidth needs skyrocketing and hyperscale operators sucking up available optics, technologies like 400G and coherent transmission are becoming increasingly relevant to everyone, not just the Googles and Amazons of the world.

But let’s be honest: many people are still confused by the terminology, the options, and the practical deployment challenges.

That’s where Thomas shines. In past appearances at events like DENOG, SwiNOG, and Netnod Tech Meetings, he’s done what few in the optics world even attempt: break down advanced topics in a way that’s not just technically accurate but fun to learn.

You can expect the same at BalticNOG 2025. His talk will be for real people running real networks, not for vendors trying to out-buzzword each other.

Why Flexoptix Is More Than a Vendor

Flexoptix isn’t your typical hardware company. It’s become a cult brand among engineers, and Thomas is at the heart of that culture.

At a time when many vendors force lock-in, opaque pricing, and “open” standards that are anything but, Flexoptix has taken the opposite route:

• Transparent specs
• Multi-vendor interoperability
• DIY configurability
• Real-time human support (no ticket black holes)

Thomas helped define that ethos, which is why his presence at BalticNOG isn’t just a technical session — it’s a cultural moment. It’s about how we should build and maintain internet infrastructure: openly, practically, and with deep respect for the people doing the hard work.

What You’ll Take Away

By the end of his session at BalticNOG, you’ll know:

• What matters in deploying 100G/400G optics across multivendor environments
• How programmable optics can simplify logistics and reduce OpEx
• What’s coming next in coherent transceiver technology — and what’s hype vs reality
• How to rethink vendor relationships in favor of flexibility and control

But more than that, you’ll leave inspired. Thomas reminds us that even in a world of exploding complexity, we can still build tools that serve engineers, not the other way around.

Don’t Miss It

BalticNOG 2025 isn’t about theory — it’s about what works. Thomas Weible embodies that spirit. Whether running a large organization, or just trying to keep the bits flowing without breaking your SLA (or your budget), ISP, or optimizing a regional network, this session will matter.

Join us in Vilnius from September 24 to 25. Come for the content, stay for the culture, and leave with a notebook full of ideas — and maybe a Flexbox in your backpack.