Corning Announces Technology Bendable Fiber Optics that Can Boost High-Speed Internet Speed

To quote Ricky Bobby from Talladega Nights, "I like to go really fast." And so does the rest of America, especially when it comes to high speed internet. Corning, Inc. is looking to make that happen with some new technology. Basically, they can make your high speed internet really, really high speed.

Corning, the world's leading optic fiber producers, announced that they have developed a faster optical fiber that is essentially "bendable." Optical fiber in communications is basically a lot of tiny fibers that can transfer signals and light at high speeds. Most long distance companies use it because they don't have to use a lot of repeaters to keep the signal going as with traditional methods like copper wire. Corning first introduced optical fibers to the public in the early 1970s.

Typically when optical fiber is bent such as to get around corners of walls, it loses signal strength. That's why high-rise buildings or other large complexes tend to have weaker high-speed signals, thus not giving you a true high speed connection. Corning found a way to improve the quality of the fibers to keep that signal strength and they are ready to implement the technology into common buildings and homes. It will be 100 times more bendable than the current fibers. They were able to strengthen the signals by changing the way light traveled along the fiber.

In a press release Peter F. Volanakis, president and chief operating officer at Corning Inc. called the development a "game-changing technology for telecommunications applications." And since the new technology is compatible with current industry technology, "customers don't have to sacrifice one benefit to get another."

One major company using the bendable fiber is Verizon Communications, Inc, makers of home and cell-phone based telecommunications services. They began working with Corning earlier this year to see if they could improve signal strength in multiple-dwelling buildings, namely high-rise apartments. "Continued innovation in advanced telecommunications networks is critical to the long-term success of Verizon," said Paul Lacouture, executive vice president of Engineering and Technology at Verizon Telecom Group in the press release. The new technology will be introduced on September 30 in Orlando, Florida during the Fiber-to-the-Home Conference.

In addition to optical fiber, Corning produces several other technology-based products such as enviro-friendly LCD screens, emission-reducing parts for car manufacturers, and specialty lenses for eye glasses, microscopes and telescopes. Corning has been developing technology for over 150 years.

SOURCE:

www.corning.com

URL for Press Release:

http://www.corning.com/media_center/press_releases/2007/2007072301.aspx