Communications SolutionsOptical communications technology that supports safe, secure next generation infrastructure

In recent years, telecommunications traffic has continued to increase, and the use of 5G, which features “high speed and high capacity”, “low latency” and “multiple simultaneous connections”, is accelerating worldwide. In addition, the world is expected to start moving toward to next-generation mobile telecommunications systems such as B5G (Beyond 5G) and 6G that include “energy savings”, “safety and reliability”, “autonomy” and “expandability” on top of the 5G features. To realize this shift, it is necessary to provide even higher performance technology, products and services.

In response, the Communications Solutions Division of Furukawa Electrics is working to manufacture and sell telecommunications infrastructure products and offer design, installation and other services for telecommunications networks. The division supports next-generation telecommunications infrastructure that requires more advanced technology and contributes to furthering the use of IoT.

The advanced technological capability backed by over 100 years in business and the unique products realized through this capability are also major strengths of the Communications Solutions Division.

For example, in the optical fiber & cable business, our “rollable ribbon cable” realizes some of the highest core densities in the world (number of optical fibers in a cable cross-section) and supports higher speed, higher capacity communications.

Our “Nano ITLA” successfully reduces the size and power consumption of key components in transmission devices used for optical digital coherent communication (communication method for transmitting large volumes of data over long distances with lower signal attenuation compared to traditional methods). Nano ITLA contributes to ultra-high speed communications.

The PON (Passive Optical Network) high capacity optical telecommunications technology makes 10Gbps possible where 1Gbps is the current standard in general household networks.
Also, in the area of local telecommunications infrastructure (CATV), in addition to having one of the largest market shares in Japan and manufacturing and selling devices, we provide flexible services that support the process from system design to installation.

IOWN is a concept aimed at realizing networks and data processing infrastructure that surpass the limitations of current infrastructure through the use of revolutionary technology centered on light, and it is moving forward directed at 2030.

Under the IOWN concept, for example, in order to respond to rapidly growing data volumes and energy use resulting from advances in IoT, if all of the data transmission and relay processing is changed to photonics (light), it is possible to reduce energy consumption by 99%, increase transmission capacity by 125 times and reduce latency by 99.5% to realize revolutionarily ultra-high capacity, ultra-low latency communications.
Also, we will work to develop proactive (predictive) environmental adaptation technology for dangers such as the recent large-scale natural disasters and pandemics with the aim of creating a resilient society that is both flexible and tough.

To realize this, IOWN involves “all photonics networks” that use photonics technology throughout from the network to the terminals, as well as “digital twin computing” to realize predictions through overlapping real and digital worlds and a “cognitive foundation” to connect and control all of the parts. Furukawa Electric’s optical telecommunications technology can assist in achieving IOWN.

Including for our goal of “realizing safe, peaceful and rewarding life”, we will continue to develop and provide more advanced optical telecommunications technology and contribute to the realization of next-generation infrastructure.