Corning Inc. has released the latest addition to its family of singlemode optical fibers, Corning SMF-28 Ultra fiber. The fiber and cable maker says the new, premium singlemode optical fiber is the first in the market to combine the benefits of very low attenuation and improved macrobend performance in the same fiber (see “Bend matters, Part 1: A look at macrobending”).

Clearfield Inc. (NASDAQ:CLFD) says its FieldShield Fiber Delivery and Protection System enables network operators to deploy fiber-optic cable into areas that had proved unreachable with conventional approaches. The FieldShield family, which includes such novel elements as pushable fiber, will address applications in both the outside plant as well as within enterprises and data centers.

After showing it off at last fall’s SCTE Cable-Tec Expo, CommScope has announced the official commercial launch of its E2O (Electrical to Optical) hybrid cabling system. The cabling system combines optical fiber with coax to meet the needs of cable MSOs who are still relying on coax, but know they’ll need fiber deeper in their networks in the future.

Swiss company Huber+Suhner AG says its new fiber-optic connector will double the density of optical fibers per rack and improve fiber handling in central offices and data centers. Launched at the FTTH Conference 2013 in London, the new connector is designed to significantly reduce space requirements, helping to control costs and improve efficiency.

Prysmian Group has introduced RetractaNetXS, a direct buried retractable fiber-optic cable. The new fiber cable is particularly well suited to fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments, Prysmian says.

OFS has unveiled its AllWave FLEX and AllWave FLEX+ Bend-Optimized Single-Mode Fiber that features a 200-μm coating. The coating enables a narrower fiber than those using conventional 250- μm coatings. OFS will use the fiber in fiber-optic cables with higher fiber counts and in microcables, beginning with its new MiDia 2FX microcables.

Jiangsu Sterlite Tongguang Fiber Co. Ltd. (JSTFCL), a joint venture of Indian fiber manufacturer Sterlite Technologies Ltd. and Chinese fiber-optic cable provider Jiangsu Tongguang Communication Co. Ltd. (TGCl), has begun to produce optical fiber itself at its facility in Haimen, Jiangsu Province, China.

TE Connectivity (NYSE: TEL) will present its new Rapid fiber portfolio at the FTTH Council Conference in London on February 20–21. With applications ranging from central offices and data centers, to cell sites and customer premises, Rapid fiber products offer extensive features and benefits, the company claims.

As the industry gears up for the FTTH Council Europe’s 2013 conference in London February 19-21, Lightwave European Correspondent Kurt Ruderman asked fiber-optics analyst Richard Mack of CRU International to evaluate the European scene in 2012 and to discuss his outlook for fiber and cable in 2013, particularly as it relates to FTTx in Europe.