For most, we probably do not realize just how pervasive fiber optics is in much of what we do--an that inlcudes national defense too. The new F-35A Lightning II's development is underpinned with the very technology though. It's Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) provides precision air-to-air scan and track, as well as a solid air-to-surface targeting capability. EOTS retains the aircraft’s stealth and is linked to the jet’s integrated central computer through a high-speed fiber-optic interface. Without that interface, the fighter jet isn't, well, much of a fighter jet at all. To read more about the project check it out here. 

In an attempt to lead the way in innovation and network Telia Carrier to add Coriant CloudWave Optics to pan-European fiber-optic backbone network. Among the first implementations of the CloudWave Optics technology will be a 400G-enabled fiber route between Copenhagen and Frankfurt. Telia Carrier also will apply the technology to routes like a submarine cable long-haul link to London. We respect their drive to expand. Check out the story here as reporeted from lightwaveonline.com. Photocredit: commons.wikimedia.org

A new undersea cable constructed with Google’s backing has just gone online linking the US west coast with Japan. The name of the cable, fittingly, is FASTER, and it is, in fact faster. FASTER uses six fiber pairs to push all that bandwidth using 100 different wavelengths of light. The cable is about 10 million times faster than your broadband at home, to give you a little perspective. The project began in 2014 and has laid more than 5,592 miles of cable. It transmits 60 terabytes of data per second. Facebook and Microsoft have announced plans to lay a cable stretching from the US to Europe that will have a capacity of 160 Tbps. Let the competition continue! Read the story in its entirety here. Thanks to extremetech.com for the story and for photo credit too. 

I am very fascinatied by the history and development of fiber optics as a resource, and as an industry. I reently came across a really cool article written from Jeff Hecht that I thought is a great summary on how it all came to be. Jeff does a great job of giving us the big picture and showing us some of the major break throughs that occured to get us to where we are at today with this technology. Check out his article here.

Much as we would suspect, increases in fiber-optic broadband access increases value for multiple dwelling units (MDU) and for owners alike. This only makes sense as the growing prevalence of the internet has become ubiquitous and almost a staple of most households. A recent study commissioned by Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council Americas found that  availability of fiber-optic broadband access to individual apartments will increase rental and property values in multiple dwelling units (MDUs) by 8% and 2.8%, respectively. Check out the full article here as presented by lightwaveonline.com.  Photo credit to Nokia.