press release

Fujikura Ltd. (President and CEO: Masahiko Ito) has begun sales a new fusion splice rack that is also compatible with ultra-high-core count optical cables.

In recent years, as the use of IT in various aspects of daily life has accelerated on a global level, the amount of data traffic used on communication networks has increased, and in response, there is a growing demand for ultra-high-core count optical cables that can handle large-volume, high-speed data communications. Fujikura has already launched Wrapping Tube Cable® (WTC®), ultra-high-core count optical cables with 3,456 and 6,912 cores, but the need for even higher core counts is expected to grow in the future.

As the amount of data exchanged over networks increases, data center that process that data are being expanded and their capacity is being increased in many places. In these data center, the optical cables used are becoming increasingly high-core, and there is a greater demand than ever for the efficiency of connection and branching work, making fusion splicers for ultra-high-core optical cables that make this possible.

The new fusion splicing rack for ultra-high-core optical cables that Furukawa Electric has recently started sales has a maximum Optcal Fiber count of 13,824 cores, but it has achieved high density by optimizing the size of the Optcal Fiber storage tray and the wiring and storage inside the rack. This makes it possible to wire and store approximately twice as much fiber as similar products already on the market in the same installation space.

Furthermore, due to the structure of conventional fusion splicing frames, Optcal Fiber splicing and branching work of ultra-high-core optical cables had to be performed by one worker. However, the newly released product is equipped with a new concept of removable Optcal Fiber storage tray (fusion unit/fusion tray), which allows multiple workers to splice and branch Optcal Fiber simultaneously, which is expected to make a significant contribution to reducing work time.

We are currently developing new fusion splicing racks for outdoor and wall-mounted installations in addition to the indoor installation type released this time. These products currently under development are based on the same concept as the indoor installation type released this time, so they are expected to achieve similar improvements in workability and shortened work time.

Furukawa Electric will continue to work to deliver high value to our customers by developing and Lineup (名) our lineup of advanced optical products, from ultra-high-core optical cables to peripheral devices and parts, as well as by providing total optical cable wiring solutions, including installation and maintenance.