Optical Communications Technologies | Industry Leading Optical Communication | Corning

Transforming the way the world connects

Since ushering in the telecommunications revolution with the invention of low-loss optical fiber in 1970, Corning has been continually innovating to increase the speed and capacity of optical networks, while reducing installation costs. Today, we are delivering solutions for growing segments like fiber to the home, wireless technology, and hyper-scale data centers.

A Seamless Flow of Data

A Seamless Flow of Data

Corning’s optical solutions keep communication flowing for consumers and businesses who want fast, reliable connection to the world anywhere, anytime. Because of our optical communications technologies, people have greater access to video, voice, and information than ever before. But it’s not enough. Consumers want to exchange data in the blink of an eye, and the demand for bandwidth is skyrocketing as network usage doubles every few years. Corning is responding with innovations for fiber to the home, wireless technology, and hyper-scale data centers—all making slow speeds and dropped calls a thing of the past.

To deliver more bandwidth directly to buildings, providers have turned to Corning’s fiber-to-the-home solutions for millions of homes. We’ve introduced technologies such as compact cabinets and micro-cables for crowded environments, which bring you more bandwidth and improve customer costs by speeding up installations.

In wireless, denser 4G and new 5G networks are driving a need for two orders of magnitude more fiber and connectivity compared to legacy networks. That has sparked Corning innovations, such as a multiuse platform that makes speedy deployments easier. We have also converged multiple solutions with the Corning® ONETM wireless platform, making it possible to text, tweet, and call at the same time, even in a football stadium. This powerful solution can handle 100,000 photos uploaded to social media every second.

The data centers of tomorrow also rely on our fiber optic cabling solutions, and we’re developing glass technologies that make all-optical inside switches, routers, and servers a reality.

Industry Leadership in Optical Communications

Solutions for Next-Generation Optical Networks

A Co-innovation Machine

A Co-innovation Machine

One billion kilometers of fiber and counting

Nearly 50 years ago, the predecessor to British Telecom challenged Corning to develop a fiber that could transmit light with loss less than 20 decibels per kilometer. Corning responded with the invention of the first low-loss optical fiber. These thin strands of glass birthed the optical communications industry and enabled the rapid explosion of the internet around the globe. 

Try imagining life without it: no internet, no emails, no music or video streaming.

After fiber, Corning also created cables for packaging and connectors that dramatically lower the cost of installing a network. Today, Corning has made more than one billion kilometers of fiber. We are an industry leader, able to provide our customers with integrated solutions that improve their network performance and lower costs. Corning gains a thorough understanding of customer challenges, and we use that knowledge to develop full-scale solutions that meet our customer needs.

Our Strategic Advantage in Optical Communications Technologies

Our Strategic Advantage in Optical Communications

Corning’s optical communications solutions are a prime example of our strategy.  They leverage our best-in-the-world expertise in three core technologies, as well as four expert manufacturing and engineering platforms. We’re also using fusion, one of our four manufacturing and engineering platforms, to create new interconnects for high-speed switches, routers, and servers.

Learn how Corning leverages its focused portfolio to uniquely address the Optical Communications market.

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