Over the past several years, cable operators have seen their networks transform into the premier platform for transmission of data services, both for residential and business customers. In order to accommodate the growth of services and transmission speeds, the networks have been divided into smaller and smaller clusters of customers forming independent service groups.
CORNING, N.Y. –– Mike Knott, FTTH market development manager for Corning Optical Communications, has been named to the board of directors of the Fibre to the Home Council Europe (FTTH Council Europe), following elections held at the organisation’s Spring 2018 General Assembly.
Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has chosen Corning’s optical solutions for the expansion of its national network for high-speed connectivity and fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) applications.
The agreement builds on the existing relationship between the two parties, which has seen more than 1.5 million kilometres of optical fibre supplied across the provider’s network. The companies are additionally collaborating to develop a program of advanced technical training to STC fibre engineers and technicians.
Corning has agreed to buy substantially all of 3M’s Communication Markets Division to for $900 million in cash. The deal is part of the company’s strategy to spend $1 billion to $3 billion in acquisitions, Corning said.
3M’s communications business, which has annual global sales of about $400 million, consists of optical fibre and copper passive connectivity products for the telecom industry – including xDSL, FTTx and structured cabling systems – and, in certain countries, telecom system integration services.
Advances in data centre-related infrastructure are largely driven by increased network demand for higher bandwidth, faster service and ubiquitous access. Because of these trends, very high fibre-count cables (more than 3,000 optical fibres) become essential for connecting hyperscale data centres within a campus over distances of less than 10km. Another application space that is currently a topic of active interest in the industry is metro data centre interconnect (DCI).
By Jennifer Cline and David Hessong
Corning has announced its newest singlemode optical fibre, Corning SMF-28 Ultra 200 fibre, which it claims is the industry’s first 200-micron fibre with a 9.2 micron nominal mode-field diameter (MFD). SMF-28 Ultra 200 fibre enables the design of smaller, lighter, fully backwards-compatible, high-fibre, high-density cables.
Network owners have much to consider when designing access networks. The network has to be able to support high-data rates and to maximise coverage area from the central office. Ideally, it should take advantage of low cost installation techniques and hardware miniaturisation. Once deployed, the network may have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years so upgrades to higher data rates must be supported. Finally, but not least, backwards compatibility is essential to ensure that new installations can be connected to equipment that has been already installed.
As data demand ramps ever higher, researchers are looking to innovative amplifier designs to help transport a broader light spectrum through optical fibres, finds Andy Extance
Duncan Ellis shares his views about the increased focus on automation from network operators, and how the physical layer has so far stubbornly resisted the move
Switching off copper networks where fibre has been deployed is the end game, so why are so few operators doing it, wonders Pauline Rigby
With demand for fibre to the premises increasing, Keely Portway looks at the role training plays in ensuring installation skills remain available to meet this growing demand
