FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2010

Sumitomo Electric says PureAccess-R5 optical fiber exceeds ITU-T G.657.B3 standard

Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. announced that its PureAccess-R5 bending loss insensitive single mode optical fiber is fully compliant with the new ITU-T G.657.B3 recommended standard for macrobend at a 5-mm radius, for efficiently routing optical drop cables in applications including fiber to the home (FTTH) and Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). The fiber is also used for data center applications and central office (CO) routing. Demonstrating lower attenuation and bending loss at the 1550 and 1625 nm wavelengths and a higher proof stress level, the company says its PureAccess-R5 exceeds the requirements of the G.657.B3 standard.

Although a 100 kpsi [kilo-pound/square inch, unit of pressure] proof test is required in the G.657.B3 standard, Sumitomo Electric tested the full fiber length of PureAccess-R5 at an elevated 200 kpsi tensile stress. The company maintains that this proof test level is twice that of other commercially available G.657 fibers, and resulted in a significantly lower probability of a fiber stress fracture when deployed at 5-mm bends under bending strain, as in MDUs and other installations. The design of the PureAccess-R5 product also makes it backward compatible with G.652 single-mode fibers, splicing, and connectorization practices.


FULL PRESS RELEASE:

Sumitomo Electric's PureAccess - R5 Optical Fiber Exceeds the New ITU-T G.657.B3 Recommended 5-mm Fiber Bend Radius Standard

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (TOKYO:5802) (ISIN:JP3407400005), a leading global developer and manufacturer of optical fiber, cable and components as well as modules and subsystems for the information and communications industry, today announced that its PureAccess-R5 bending loss insensitive single mode optical fiber is fully compliant with the new ITU-T G.657.B3 recommended standard for macrobend at a 5-mm radius for efficiently routing optical drop cables and other applications inside the home and Multiple Dwelling Units (MDUs). The fiber is also ideal for data center applications and central office (CO) routing. Demonstrating lower attenuation and bending loss at the 1550 and 1625 nm wavelengths and a higher proof stress level,PureAccess-R5 exceeds the requirements of the G.657.B3 standard.

Although a 100 kpsi* proof test is required in the G.657.B3 standard, Sumitomo Electric tested the full fiber length of PureAccess-R5 at an elevated 200 kpsi tensile stress. This proof test level is twice that of other commercially available G.657 fibers, and resulted in a significantly lower probability of a fiber stress fracture when deployed at 5-mm bends under bending strain, as in MDU and other installations. The design of PureAccess-R5 makes it backward compatible with G.652 single-mode fibers, splicing, and connectorization practices. *kpsi: kilo-pound/square inch, unit of pressure

"Our global leadership in the technology of fiber optics has resulted in a fiber that demonstrates both outstanding strength and bend insensitive capabilities," says Shigeki Endo, general manager for the optical fiber & cable division at Sumitomo Electric. "Having added PureAccess-R5 to Sumitomo Electric's PureAccess bend insensitive product line is essential for the continued advancement of FTTH. Sumitomo Electric is pleased to provide our customers with a highly reliable and flexible bend insensitive fiber that facilitates overall space savings, resolves the most challenging FTTH, data center, CO, and MDU applications, and decreases deployment time and costs."

As an early innovator of bend insensitive fiber, Sumitomo Electric has shipped worldwide over 6 million km of its G.657.A1 category PureAccess fiber.

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