RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, the leading manufacturer of fiber optic solutions and founding member of the FTTH Council, announced today the introduction of the industry's first single-mode fibers designed specifically for FTTH (fiber-to-the-home), FTTD (fiber-to-the-desk) and general Access and Enterprise network applications.

The new single-mode fibers (SMF), introduced under the brand names PureAccess * and PureAccess-Ultra*, feature reduced bend radius capabilities enabling tighter routing and higher fiber density for component design and deployment of fiber in central offices, subscriber equipment, back-plane solutions, and premise wiring.

Addressing market demand for high-performance, bend-insensitive fiber, Sumitomo has developed PureAccess fiber that boasts a minimum bend radius of 15mm (0.6 in.), which is less than one-half that of current U.S. industry standards for single-mode fiber. PureAccess fiber meets ITU-T G.652 standards and is fully compatible with standard single-mode fiber exhibiting excellent splice and connector loss performances. This fiber has direct applications in the last segment of FTTH deployments allowing smaller electronic packages at the consumer's house through less concern with bending induced losses. The PureAccess fibers are manufactured at higher proof test levels to ensure the highest reliability when deployed within the rugged environment encountered in FTTX installations.

In response to the industry's need for component miniaturization and tight-access premise wiring, Sumitomo introduces PureAccess-Ultra fiber with a further reduced minimum bend radius to 7.5mm (0.3 in.). The fiber's super low minimum bend radius and high bending reliability resolves complicated premise wiring issues by enabling easy installation within small cabinets, outlets, and termination, switch, or joint boxes. With low fiber bending loss, optical fiber cord can now be installed easily along a wall, and excess cable lengths can now be handled and stored similar to UTP copper cables. PureAccess-Ultra fiber allows single- mode fiber to go where fiber has never gone before.

"Since Sumitomo has long been involved in the research and development of FTTX technology with major carriers throughout the world, we are well positioned to offer our customers the most reliable and innovative FTTX solutions", comments Bill Beasley, Sumitomo's director of marketing." By adding PureAccess and PureAccess-Ultra fibers to our latest FTTX innovations, such as our gel-free DriTube* ribbon cable, flame-retardant drop cables, and splicing solutions, we are able to give our customers a competitive edge in customer turn-up, time to revenue, and product quality when meeting end-user FTTX demands."

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave