Optical transport networks have been increasing data rates to scale network bandwidth over the past 45 years. With the latest coherent modem technology, commercially available transport technology is now only 1.5 dB from the Shannon limit. Going forward, gains in spectral efficiency will be limited and performance improvements will be more incremental, especially longer reach applications. The most cost-effective path forward is to increase capacity by increasing the baud rate and employing the additional capabilities that new DSPs and coherent optics provide. Read the report to learn how 800G technology brings performance improvements, expanded capacity, and more cost-effective solutions.