press release

Fujikura Ltd. (Director, President and CEO: Masahiko Ito, hereinafter Fujikura) and US Conec Ltd. (President & CEO: Joe Graham, hereinafter US Conec) have recently announced that the two companies have agreed to collaborate to enable the development, production, and supply of compatible next-generation multi-fiber and duplex (2-fiber) very small form factor (VSFF) optical connectors (hereinafter multi-fiber: MMC optical connector, duplex: MDC optical connector). This collaboration will realize a multi-vendor supply chain for MMC and MDC optical connectors, maximizing synergy between Fujikura and US Conec.

The MMC optical connector is a multi-fiber connector that uses a more compact 1x16-fiber MT ferrule (TMT) than conventional products, achieving three times the density of conventional MPO optical connector ports and supporting higher-density optical cable installation infrastructure with ultra-low insertion loss. This new TMT ferrule uses the proven alignment structure of the MT-16 ferrule used in currently installed MPO-16 optical connectors, and is compatible with standard 125 um Optcal Fiber and 250 um pitch ribbon type optical cable installation technology. In addition, this TMT ferrule is fully compatible with Fujikura and US Conec products, greatly improving the stability of product supply.

US Conec's ELiMENT™ MDC optical connector is a duplex optical connector that uses 1.25 mm diameter ferrule technology, has the same size as an MMC optical connector, and is used in SFP-DD, QSFP-DD and OSFP pluggable optical transceiver MSA. It is three times denser than conventional duplex LC optical connectors and supports the port branching architecture of new optical transceiver designs.

400G+ next-generation link architectures employing cutting-edge pluggable optical transceivers and co-packaged optics require higher density optical cabling solutions that cannot be achieved with existing MPO, LC and SC optical connector technologies. Our MMC and MDC optical connectors address these challenges to business and data center performance requirements.

Commenting on the collaboration, Joe Graham, President & CEO of US Conec, said, "MMC and MDC optical connectors usher in a new era by offering unmatched density, easy insertion and removal, field replaceability and optimal carrier-grade performance. The joint effort between Fujikura and US Conec ensures that cutting-edge optical connector technology will enable rapid mass deployment while meeting robust supply chain requirements."

Fujikura's Director and COO, Okada Naoki, also said, "Tsunagu" Fujikura creates value for our customers and contributes to society through our cutting-edge connecting technologies, such as Optcal Fiber, optical cables, and Optcal Fiber connectivity. Fujikura's innovative technologies, 6,912-core ultra-high density optical cable SWR ^® (Spider Web Ribbon ^®)/WTC ^® (Wrapping Tube Cable ^®) and MMC/MDC optical connectors, provide optimal solutions."

About US Conec Ltd
US Conec is a global leader in the design and development of high-density optical interconnects. With 29 years of innovative experience, the company provides industry-leading components to data center and enterprise premise optical cabling, public network, on-board optical interconnect, industrial and military markets worldwide. Key product developments include singlemode and multimode MT and custom mass ferrules, MTP ^® brand MPO optical connectors, MXC ^® optical connectors, PRIZM ^® LightTurn ^® and PRIZM ^® MT lensed ferrule technology, ELiMENT™ brand MDC optical connectors, LC and SC optical connectors, IBC™ brand optical connector cleaning solutions and mass-fiber optical interconnect termination accessories. Headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina, USA, US Conec is owned by leading communications technology companies Corning, Fujikura and NTT Advanced Technology.