Fiber Optic Market Trends

May 2023- University of Maryland researchers have successfully tested an optical fiber consisting of thin air that operates constantly. The most typical optical fibers are lengthy glass strands that closely restrict light across great distances. However, due to glass breakage and laser energy dispersion out of the fiber, these fibers are not suitable for directing extremely high-power laser beams. Furthermore, long before light signal transmission or gathering, glass fiber must be put down due to the requirement for the physical support structure. Using auxiliary ultrashort laser pulses to carve fiber optic waveguides in the air itself, Howard Milchberg and his team at the University of Maryland's Departments of Physics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, & Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics in fact have established an optical guiding technique that overcomes both restrictions.

It is precisely the refractive index structure of an optical fiber. These brief pulses create a ring of higher-intensity light structures known as "filaments," that heat the air molecules for producing an expanded ring of low-density heated air around a centre undisturbed zone. Extremely high average powers may be steered using air itself as the fiber. Additionally, the air waveguide may be arbitrarily "unspooled" & pointed in any direction at the speed of light enabling the gathering of distant optical signals, such as those needed for the detection of radioactive sources and contaminants. Using this method, air waveguides up to 50 meters long may be created. These waveguides can last for about tens of milliseconds before being cooled by the surrounding air and dissipating. Long-distance continuous guiding should be possible with the right laser system for creating the waveguide; if this is accomplished, it will only be a matter of time until they are beaming high power constant laser beams as well as detecting pollution from miles away.

April 2023- By the fiscal year 2025, the NHAI intends to build an integrated network of about 10,000 km of optic fiber cables (OFC) infrastructure throughout India. NHLML, a special-purpose company owned by NHAI, will carry out the project's implementation. NHLML will build utility corridors beside national roads to enhance the OFC infrastructure. The OFC network would enable internet connection in India's rural areas and speed up the country's migration to cutting-edge 5G and 6G technology. The Delhi-Mumbai Motorway and the Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor have already been recognized by NHAI as potential pilot routes for the construction of digital highways.

The construction of the OFC infrastructure is now under progress, and it will be finished in a year. Eligible users will be able to lease the OFC network on open-for-all, fixed-rate basis via a web portal. In collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the TRAI, a formal OFC allotment policy is being established. It is anticipated that the creation of digital highways within India will hasten the country's digital transition and catalyze its expansion and development.

According to news agency PTI, the OFC network would provide 'fiber-on-demand' or straight plug-and-play models for telecom and internet services. It will be leased out to qualified customers with the help a web portal on an "open for all" basis at a set price allocation process. The Department of Telecommunications and industry regulator Trai have been consulted during the finalization of the OFC allotment policy, according to PTI. In addition to being a catalyst for the nation's growth and development, the establishments of “digital highways” will also further its digital transformation. The country will be better prepared for a digital future thanks to the OFC infrastructure, which will increase connection in isolated and rural regions, allow for the adoption of cutting-edge technology, and improve connectivity there.

Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable Joint Stock Limited recently announced new variants of optical cables, high-density data center solutions, and simplified F.ODN pre-connected solutions during SCTE CABLE-TEC EXPO 2023. Its new dry all-dielectric fiber optic cable has a small diameter, reduced weight, and can be spliced without gel-filled compounds. It is specifically designed for fast and easy installations.

Windstream has extended its partnership with Coherent Corp. to enable 400G services and also enable 100G services at the edge of the network, leveraging the industry’s first 100G QSFP28 transceiver with 0 dBm digital coherent optics (DCO).

Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) announced that it had created the world’s slimmest fiber optic at 160 microns, known as Communication Fiber Optics (CFO). The origin of this innovation is rooted in the STL’s Center of Excellence in Maharashtra. Thus making them the pioneers in developing this technology and protecting it globally through patents.

On this account, Coherent Corp disclosed that they had launched their first pump laser module with an output power of 1200 mW in a ten-pin butterfly package, and since then, they have become the first company among those that are engaged in manufacturing integrated circuits worldwide.

In January 2023, OFS introduced DirectLase Premium Yb-doped optical fiber for directed energy fiber laser systems as its latest invention.

AFL- Multi-fiber Optic Connector Inspection System - FOCIS Lightning2 simplifies connection assessment (AFL—Fiber Optic Cleaning Supplier). Businesses, including data center providers and service providers, can quickly validate existing fiber interconnects using FOCIS Lightning2, thereby simplifying and accelerating the inspection of individual fiber connectors.

Corning Inc., a longtime partner with AT&T, increased its production capacity for optical cables once again when the carrier expanded its coverage area over a large part of rural Georgia.

The US-based firm Allegiant Stadium increased its copper cabling by 1.5 million feet, while fiber optic cables were extended by 227 miles in the facility. Increased bandwidth capacity is expected with the newly installed optical fibers.

Fiber Optics Industry Developments

July 2023- The expansion of Socket's fiber optic internet service for residences in western Boone County was announced on Tuesday. Tuesday saw a ribbon-cutting event at Socket's Columbia headquarters. The company's funding from the American Rescue Plan Act Broadband Infrastructure Grant made the expansion possible. According to a news release from Socket, president and chief operating officer Carson Coffman, the company is dedicated to its commitment in building vital internet infrastructure within Boone County. Customers will be able to access dependable, quick internet through their fiber network, enabling them to effectively work, attend school, and even schedule telemedicine visits with physicians.

June 2023- As the first Indian state to do so, Kerala's government has established a novel ISP (Internet service provider) called K-FON, short for "Kerala Fiber Optic Network," to increase its citizens' access to the internet. K-FON was created by the government to close the digital gap by "liberating the people from corporate-run telecom service providers like Airtel, BSNL, Jio, and Hathway's exploitation."It is said that K-FON provides comparable high speed and quality to other service providers at more cheap prices. The cheapest package, with a speed of 20 Mbps, will cost Rs 299 (without the GST) each month.

March 2023- Today, Metronet said that development on their multi-gigabit fiber optic network in Portage had officially started. Residents and companies in the entire city will have access to Metronet's 100% fiber optic internet thanks to the multimillion dollar expenditure that is wholly sponsored by Metronet. As the Certified Gigabit City after construction is finished, Portage will become one of the nation's top internet cities. In order to offer a cutting-edge, fiber-optic internet network with multiple gigabit speeds to the homes & businesses in Portage, Metronet is starting to build the necessary infrastructure, according to Ben Ruzick, Metronet Government Affairs Director. The neighborhood will benefit from seamless access to meet their various online demands thanks to the quick deployment of ultra-high-speed internet.

May 2022 - Prysmian Group, an energy and telecom cable systems company, has announced a partnership with Telstra to build a new sophisticated inter-capital fibre network in Australia. The national fibre network project is a multi-year programme in which Telstra will build a new "state-of-the-art inter-city dual fibre line" with up to 20,000 route kilometers of new fibre optic terrestrial cable, improving inter-capital capacity as well as regional capacity.

June 2022 - Prysmian Group is investing USD 30 million in its Jackson, Tennessee, factory to increase optical fibre capacity and expand its telecom network in order to better meet client demand.

March 2022 - Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. has introduced its new Z2C optical fibre fusion splicer, which incorporates its unique "NanoTuneTM" AI (artificial intelligence) programmed fusion technology as well as a revamped design with a better environmental resistant spring.