Corning introduces 'revolutionary' fibre

Corning has introduced its latest innovation, Corning SMF-28® Contour optical fibre, to help telecommunications operators address the ever-expanding number of connected devices, build-out of 5G networks, and advances in cloud computing.

Networks perform at their best when errors are minimised during fibre installation and when existing infrastructure is used efficiently during upgrades. Corning engineered SMF-28 Contour fibre to meet those needs. This ground-breaking product will allow customers to seamlessly upgrade their optical infrastructure, enabling the cost-effective deployment of future-ready networks. The fibre offers:

• Superior bendability designed to reduce the impact of errors during installation and optimise reach in densely cabled environments where 5G networks are being deployed. SMF-28 Contour fibre is an ITU-T G.657.A2 fibre that has 10 times the macrobend resilience of G.652.D fibres and seven times the macrobend resilience of G.657.A1 fibres. The associated increase in microbend resilience enables dense, high-fibre-count cables needed to meet the demands of future high-capacity networks.

• Exceptional compatibility with legacy networks while providing superior bend protection, which can mean up to 50% faster installation by minimising corrective splice loss work. Other G.657.A2 fibres also provide bend protection but with a compromised, lower mode field diameter. SMF-28 Contour fibre does not compromise, providing both G.657.A2 bend protection and a matched 9.2-micron mode field diameter in the same product.

• Wide spectrum and industry-leading low-loss transmission across all the wavelengths that constitute the communication systems of today and tomorrow. First, SMF-28 Contour fibre’s industry-leading low attenuation delivers 10% longer reach in all networks and up to 20% wider access-network coverage. Second, SMF-28 Contour fibre’s bend loss protection enables up to twice the network reach in new long-wavelength fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) systems. Together, these features enable larger FTTH subscriber areas and greater revenue potential.

SMF-28 Contour fibre is available in a standard 242-micron configuration and a smaller 190-micron configuration. Smaller-diameter designs are increasingly important because while bandwidth demands have grown, the space available for network infrastructure has not. The 190-micron version of SMF-28 Contour fibre enables smaller cables with higher fibre counts – maximising use of existing infrastructure.

“Corning’s revolutionary SMF-28 Contour optical fibre is the latest example of our ability to solve tough industry challenges,” said Dr. Bernhard Deutsch, vice president and general manager, Corning Optical Fibre and Cable. “Operators today are looking to deploy future-ready networks as efficiently as possible, often in densely cabled environments, and we’ve designed this new product to answer those needs. Fifty years after Corning scientists invented the first low-loss optical fibre, we’re proud to help drive a new era of industry growth and network transformation.”