Corning Inc. said Monday it has developed a new optical fiber-based technology that solves a traditional challenge for telecommunications carriers installing FTTH networks.
The new technology is based on a nanoStructures optical fiber design that allows the cabled fiber to be bent around very tight corners with virtually no signal loss, the company said. Corning said the new technology is more than 100 times more bendable than standard fibers.
The enhancement will enable telecommunications carriers to offer high-speed Internet, voice and HDTV services to most commercial and residential buildings. Current optical fiber installations lose signal strength and effectiveness when bent around corners and routed through a building.
"This is a game-changing technology for telecommunications applications," said Peter F. Volanakis, president and COO at Corning. "We have developed an optical fiber cable that is as rugged as copper cable but with all of the bandwidth benefits of fiber. By making fundamental changes in the way light travels in the fiber, we were able to create a new optical fiber that is over 100 times more bendable than standard fibers."
Corning said the technology achieves this while maintaining compatibility with industry performance standards, existing manufacturing processes and installation procedures.
Corning Inc. www.corning.com/opticalfiber
