STL, a leading optical and digital solutions company, has announced that it has developed its slimmest fibre yet – a 180 micron optical fibre. This fibre enables the smallest diameters in cables with the highest fibre densities. STL showcased a next-generation microcable with 288 fibres capable of being deployed in 8 mm ducts, at FTTH Conference 2023, in Madrid, Spain. STL is among the first companies globally and the first in India to develop this industry-leading product.
This high-density microcable provides the best of both worlds to operators and installers. The 180 micron G657 A2 fibre combines bend-insensitive properties with a fully backward-compatible cable design which makes it a ‘ready to deploy’ innovation in the optical industry.
As the service providers densify the network with more fibre, duct space will be a precious asset. That is where STL’s high-density microcable will help operators to pack more capacity in limited duct space, thereby reducing costs and deployment times. Remarking on the compelling need for this product, Jitendra Balakrishnan, CTO Optical Networking, STL, said: “If it’s a problem for the end customers, operators or installers – it’s a problem worth solving for us. We need to make extremely smart use of the limited duct space in high- and medium-density areas, for rollouts to be fast and cost-effective. Our product is going to deliver just that.”
This announcement comes after a series of product innovations by STL. Recently, the company developed India’s first multicore fibre with 4X capacity. STL was the first company to launch Stellar – an A2 bend-insensitive fibre with full backward compatibility and among the top two companies globally to bring IBR (Intelligently bonded ribbon) cable technology into mainstream networks.
Along with the marquee 180 micron fibre and microcable, STL also showcased its integrated optical fibre offering at the FTTH Conference 2023. STL’s pre-connectorised optical connectivity kits – OPTO-BLAZE and OPTO-BOLT – come with plug-and-play capabilities for faster and easier installation and its OPTO-DOP’s is another unique design that eliminates the need to provision traditional cable coils at drop locations. This is a perfect solution for hassle-free, on-demand connectivity, according to STL.
Speaking about this development, Paul Atkinson, CEO-Optical Networking, STL, said: “The amount of fibre the world needs is immense. R&D and innovation in fibre design will be, according to us, the most important driver for future-ready networks. We are intensely focused on product innovations that will enable fibreisation in a scalable, faster and cost-effective way. STL’s high-density microcable and integrated optical connectivity offerings will deliver a lot of value for our customers. I am also very excited about the fact that it will significantly reduce the plastic in the ground and contribute to our customer’s sustainability goals.”
