Corning has revealed the Corning SMF-28 contour optical fibre, to help operators address the expanding number of connected devices, build-out of 5G networks, and advances in cloud computing.
The product is designed to allow customers to seamlessly upgrade their optical infrastructure, enabling the cost-effective deployment of future-ready networks. It offers superior bendability properties to help reduce the impact of errors during installation and optimise reach in densely cabled environments where 5G networks are being deployed.
The company says that the ITU-T G.657.A2 fibre 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.
It also offers compatibility with legacy networks while providing superior bend protection, which can mean up to 50 per cent faster installation by minimising corrective splice loss work.
SMF-28 Contour fibre’s low attenuation enables delivery of 10 per cent longer reach in all networks and up to 20 per cent wider access-network coverage. In addition, the 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.
It is available in a standard 242-micron configuration and a smaller 190-micron configuration. Smaller-diameter designs are increasingly important due to space constraints. The 190-micron version of SMF-28 Contour fibre enables smaller cables with higher fibre counts – maximising use of existing infrastructure.
Corning will highlight SMF-28 Contour fibre at the virtual OFC event, from 7-11 June.
