Corning (News - Alert) Incorporated has been helping FibreCo Telecommunications, a South African open-access network provider, in deploying its optical fiber in South Africa.

FibreCo Telecommunications is using Corning’s SMF-28e+(R) LL and LEAF(R) optical fibers in its new ultra-high-speed, long-distance fiber optic network in South Africa. This unique combination of low attenuation values and low polarization mode dispersion (PMD) with ITU G.652.D-compliant performance is expected to bring longer spans and reach. Also, SMF-28e+ LL fiber enables more repair margin which is important when fiber is damaged or cut, said the company officials.

“Corning's SMF-28e+ LL and LEAF optical fibers have the lowest attenuation, or signal loss, specification in the industry in their respective categories," said Barry Linchuck, division vice president and director, Worldwide Marketing, Corning Optical Fiber (News - Alert). "By using these products, FibreCo will have the ability to upgrade to even higher data rates as their customers demand new services."

This project first involves a 2,000-km link between Johannesburg and Cape Town connecting Bloemfontein, East London, and Port Elizabeth. The company officials confirmed that the additional routes will be built in the next phase to enhance network redundancy and resilience. The project's total distance is expected to cover 12,000 km.

"We are excited to utilize Corning optical fiber for our project," said Arif Hussain, FibreCo CEO. "Many submarine optical cables now connect South Africa to the rest of the world and a significant increase in terrestrial fiber capacity supply is required. Our network will provide the necessary high-speed capacity in South Africa as well as the ability for our customers to easily upgrade their networks to higher data rates without the need to re-install fiber."

The construction of the FibreCo network commenced back in April of this year and the first link is expected to be completed in 2013.

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