Since ushering in the telecommunications revolution with the invention of low-loss optical fiber in 1970, Corning has been continually innovating to increase the speed and capacity of optical networks, while reducing installation costs. Today, we are delivering solutions for growing segments like fiber to the home, wireless technology, and hyper-scale data centers.
Transforming the way the world connects
A Seamless Flow of Data
A Seamless Flow of Data
Corning’s optical solutions keep communication flowing for consumers and businesses who want fast, reliable connection to the world anywhere, anytime. Because of our optical communications technologies, people have greater access to video, voice, and information than ever before. But it’s not enough. Consumers want to exchange data in the blink of an eye, and the demand for bandwidth is skyrocketing as network usage doubles every few years. Corning is responding with innovations for fiber to the home, wireless technology, and hyper-scale data centers—all making slow speeds and dropped calls a thing of the past.
To deliver more bandwidth directly to buildings, providers have turned to Corning’s fiber-to-the-home solutions for millions of homes. We’ve introduced technologies such as compact cabinets and micro-cables for crowded environments, which bring you more bandwidth and improve customer costs by speeding up installations.
In wireless, denser 4G and new 5G networks are driving a need for two orders of magnitude more fiber and connectivity compared to legacy networks. That has sparked Corning innovations, such as a multiuse platform that makes speedy deployments easier. We have also converged multiple solutions with the Corning® ONETM wireless platform, making it possible to text, tweet, and call at the same time, even in a football stadium. This powerful solution can handle 100,000 photos uploaded to social media every second.
The data centers of tomorrow also rely on our fiber optic cabling solutions, and we’re developing glass technologies that make all-optical inside switches, routers, and servers a reality.
Industry Leadership in Optical Communications
Solutions for Next-Generation Optical Networks
A Co-innovation Machine
A Co-innovation Machine
One billion kilometers of fiber and counting
Nearly 50 years ago, the predecessor to British Telecom challenged Corning to develop a fiber that could transmit light with loss less than 20 decibels per kilometer. Corning responded with the invention of the first low-loss optical fiber. These thin strands of glass birthed the optical communications industry and enabled the rapid explosion of the internet around the globe.
Try imagining life without it: no internet, no emails, no music or video streaming.
After fiber, Corning also created cables for packaging and connectors that dramatically lower the cost of installing a network. Today, Corning has made more than one billion kilometers of fiber. We are an industry leader, able to provide our customers with integrated solutions that improve their network performance and lower costs. Corning gains a thorough understanding of customer challenges, and we use that knowledge to develop full-scale solutions that meet our customer needs.
Our Strategic Advantage in Optical Communications Technologies
Our Strategic Advantage in Optical Communications
Corning’s optical communications solutions are a prime example of our strategy. They leverage our best-in-the-world expertise in three core technologies, as well as four expert manufacturing and engineering platforms. We’re also using fusion, one of our four manufacturing and engineering platforms, to create new interconnects for high-speed switches, routers, and servers.
Learn how Corning leverages its focused portfolio to uniquely address the Optical Communications market.
Expertise in Glass
Expertise in Glass
Corning relies on its expertise in glass science to continually re-invent optical fiber, as well as create new applications, deliver higher performance, and reduce cost.
Corning relies on its expertise in glass science to continually re-invent optical fiber, as well as create new applications, deliver higher performance, and reduce cost.
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Precision Forming Process
Precision Forming Process
Corning applies precision forming to make optical connectors that align hair-thin fibers perfectly and eliminate the need for splices.
Corning applies precision forming to make optical connectors that align hair-thin fibers perfectly and eliminate the need for splices.
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Expertise in Optical Physics
Expertise in Optical Physics
With its expertise in optical physics, Corning has the ability to characterize and control the path of light in integrated optical solutions.
With its expertise in optical physics, Corning has the ability to characterize and control the path of light in integrated optical solutions.
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The Fusion Process
The Fusion Process
Corning is repurposing its proprietary fusion process, developed for LCD glass manufacturing, to create new glass interconnects for high-speed switches, routers, and servers.
Corning is repurposing its proprietary fusion process, developed for LCD glass manufacturing, to create new glass interconnects for high-speed switches, routers, and servers.
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Vapor Deposition
Vapor Deposition
Our vapor deposition process is essential to producing fiber. It makes glass so pure that if it replaced the water in the ocean, you could see the bottom clearly from any point on the surface.
Our vapor deposition process is essential to producing fiber. It makes glass so pure that if it replaced the water in the ocean, you could see the bottom clearly from any point on the surface.
Learn MoreFeatured Optical Communications Stories
Optical Communications Showcases Industry Leadership and Innovation
Optical Communications Showcases Industry Leadership and Innovation
Learn MoreCorning’s leadership in the Optical Communications industry takes many forms – innovative products, award-winning solutions, and a unique co-innovation approach with other leaders in the field. All are in the spotlight at the 2018 Optical Networking and Communication Conference & Exhibition (OFC) in San Diego, California.
Corning’s leadership in the Optical Communications industry takes many forms – innovative products, award-winning solutions, and a unique co-innovation approach with other leaders in the field. All are in the spotlight at the 2018 Optical Networking and Communication Conference & Exhibition (OFC) in San Diego, California.
2017 in Review: Corning Optical Communications
2017 in Review: Corning Optical Communications
Learn MoreWinning an Emmy was huge for our Optical Communications business last year, but they didn't stop there. 6 awards, 3 announcements, and 2 acquisitions later, we can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for this growing business!
Winning an Emmy was huge for our Optical Communications business last year, but they didn't stop there. 6 awards, 3 announcements, and 2 acquisitions later, we can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for this growing business!
5G Wireless: Building the Next Generation
5G Wireless: Building the Next Generation
Learn MoreCorning plays a leading role in the 5G transformation. From large datacenters to the connections to your home, Corning enables the fiber network infrastructure. This means Corning’s fiber dictates the coverage and capacity of the networks that you’re probably utilizing right now.
Corning plays a leading role in the 5G transformation. From large datacenters to the connections to your home, Corning enables the fiber network infrastructure. This means Corning’s fiber dictates the coverage and capacity of the networks that you’re probably utilizing right now.
The Journey to 1 Billion
The Journey to 1 Billion
Read MoreCorning Incorporated announced a significant milestone – delivering its 1 billionth kilometer of optical fiber. The company celebrated with an event on September 28, 2017, at its optical fiber manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina, the world’s first optical fiber manufacturing facility which today remains one of the world’s largest.
Corning Incorporated announced a significant milestone – delivering its 1 billionth kilometer of optical fiber. The company celebrated with an event on September 28, 2017, at its optical fiber manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina, the world’s first optical fiber manufacturing facility which today remains one of the world’s largest.
Connecting Indian Communities with Corning Technology
Connecting Indian Communities with Corning Technology
Read MoreIndia is the second largest smartphone market in the world with 300 million users across the country. Nearly 1.3 billion people are densely spread throughout the geography, making connectivity both difficult and in-demand.
India is the second largest smartphone market in the world with 300 million users across the country. Nearly 1.3 billion people are densely spread throughout the geography, making connectivity both difficult and in-demand.