Prysmian Group Introduces Breakthrough Innovation for Telecom Broadband Development

Prysmian Group, a world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, introduced a bend insensitive single-mode optical fibre with 180µm outer diameter. Prysmian's BendBrightXS 180µm will enable an unprecedented level of cable miniaturization and confirms Prysmian commitment to support the evolution of high-density optical networks.

As new technologies like 5G, IoT and augmented reality evolve, the optical networks must quickly adapt to meet new demands for increased capacity, higher density, and lower latency. Bend insensitive fibre optic cables are a crucial part of the world's shift towards flexible and reliable connectivity, and with their extreme fibre count and reduced diameter, they also make installation faster and cost-effective.

BBXS-180µm diameter fibre will enable new cable systems with extreme fibre density and smaller diameter. In 2009, Prysmian introduced BendBrightXS 200µm, the first-ever commercialized bend insensitive single-mode optical fibre, specially designed for high-density access networks. Since then, reduced diameter fibres have opened an innovative gateway for many new cable systems applicable to a variety of network configurations.

"Leveraging its proprietary BendBrightXS technology, Prysmian is reaching a new milestone in fibre miniaturisation" says Philippe Vanhille, Executive Vice President Telecom Business at Prysmian Group "BBXS-180µm will enable cable designers to offer strongly reduced cable dimensions and yield industry record cable density." The dimensional reduction of 180µm fibre corresponds to half of the cross-section area of legacy 250µm single-mode fibre while preserving a 125µm glass diameter. BBXS-180µm is fully compliant with G.652 and G.657.A2 global standards, and it can be spliced with any legacy standard single-mode fibre.

With its advanced ColorLock-XS coating system, BBXS-180µm ensures excellent bending performance and mechanical reliability.

Prysmian has invested heavily in R&D and product innovation, and this high level of technical expertise has allowed the Group to reach new milestones to be able to offer its customers world's best solutions of truly high quality, thus meeting the evolving needs of global connectivity which has a critical economic and social importance.

Network operators must act today to support the worldwide demand of tomorrow, and BBXS-180µm is expected to open new opportunities for high fibre count cables that are high-density, physically compact, and easily deployable for future-fit networks.