Optical Cable Corporation and FONS Corporation Collaborate on Various CEV Cable Assembly Items for Telco Applications - Fiber Optic Network Solutions and Optical Cable develop new fiber-optic cable for Controlled Environment Vaults - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Feb 14, 2000

Optical Cable Corporation, a manufacturer of fiber optic cable, and FONS Corporation, a manufacturer of fiber optic connectivity products, recently developed cable assembly products specifically designed for use in the rapidly growing application of Controlled Environment Vaults (CEVs) for a leader in smart broadband optical networks.

As fiber optic distribution is driven to within 500 feet of subscribers it must be buried in residential neighborhoods and housed in suitable environments including CEVs, which are below ground, two-piece structures. Since space is at a premium in these vaults, Optical Cable and FONS Corporation provided single-mode cable assemblies that are small in diameter, yet both flexible and rugged. The end customer for the project was a Regional Bell Operating company, with a very aggressive deployment schedule for delivering broadband voice, video, data and Internet services within their operating network. This deployment is the largest commitment to date from any major carrier to drive high-speed fiber optic-based technology deep into their network.

Working together, engineers from Optical Cable and FONS were able to quickly design and prototype a unique cable assembly that is approximately 50% smaller than standard cable without sacrificing strength and bend performance. FONS' extensive experience in the development and manufacture of a broad range of fiber optic interconnect devices enabled a rapid adaptation of existing designs to this new requirement. While Optical Cable Corporation's business base is commercial, its technology base is in small, lightweight, mechanically rugged military tactical fiber optic cables. With Optical Cable's versatile manufacturing processes, this technology was readily adapted to the new commercial application.

Robert Kopstein, President and Chief Executive Officer of Optical Cable commented, "Fiber optic distribution offers the highest speed delivery rates possible. Driving fiber optic distribution to within 500 feet of subscribers will enable high-speed services, both incoming and outgoing, through traditional customer interfaces like twisted pair copper wire, which is currently used for telephone service. This is a significant advantage compared to network architectures such as Fiber to the Node (FTTN) and Hybrid Fiber Coax (HFC)."

Mr. Kopstein added, "While single-mode cable currently accounts for approximately 25% of our revenue, we see it as the fastest growing part of our business going forward due to the insatiable demand for high speed and high bandwidth services like voice, video, data and Internet connectivity. We expect Optical Cable to be a major beneficiary of the deployment of fiber optic based technology deep into the local loop."

Established in 1992, FONS (Fiber Optic Network Solutions) Corp. is one of the United States' leading producers of fiber optic components, fiber management equipment, and cable assembly products. Headquartered in Massachusetts, FONS designs, manufactures, and distributes its wide range of products to customers in the telecommunications, datacommunications, and CATV industries.

Optical Cable Corporation manufactures and markets a broad range of fiber optic cables for "high bandwidth" transmission of data, video and audio communications over moderate distances. Optical Cable Corporation's cables can be used both indoors and outdoors and utilize a tight-buffered coating that protects the optical fiber. Further information on Optical Cable Corporation is available through the company's website on the World Wide Web at http://www.occfiber.com .