Are you thinking about upgrading your fiber optic network? Will your existing optical fiber infrastructure support the devices and services you plan to run? Could your organization benefit from having updated information about your fiber performance and inventory? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, fiber characterization testing will help you gather the necessary data. 

The global fiber optic cable market has been significantly growing in recent years to support the rising demand by businesses and consumers for internet-based communications and services. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend over the past few years, as network operators have been adding more gear and capacity to support remote work, cloud-based service, streaming video, IoT, and 5G wireless technology use. In 2022, some estimate the market is expected to grow by 35.1%, from $66.54 billion in 2021 to $89.91 billion. By 2026, the market could reach $227.54 billion at a 26.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to ReportLinker.

Cloud computing is a trending technology driven by the concept of utilizing internet-based, managed IT resources instead of maintaining the hardware and software components locally or on-site. A cloud computing infrastructure essentially creates a virtual enterprise IT environment consisting of software-defined components and computing power, storage, and network capabilities. This virtual infrastructure does what a physical infrastructure does and more, as it helps reduce costs and complexity while optimizing and centralizing data storage, management, and processing.

With the rapid evolution of technology, high-speed communications systems are essential for enabling telecom service providers to deliver large amounts of content around the world. The demand for faster speeds and more bandwidth is rising and optical fiber cables, which allow for the transfer of data using light signals, serve as the primary medium in these networks.

Simulating a fiber-optic network accurately in the test lab is crucial for ensuring devices meet expectations and the network performs as intended. Every field network is different, and replicating the optical fiber infrastructure is important for device manufacturers designing and making the gear and the service providers installing and maintaining these systems.

The use of fiber optic cables for communications dates back to the 1950s when some of the first demonstrations of the world’s earliest transmission systems occurred. Since then, continuous innovation of optical fiber has significantly improved the performance characteristics to a level that now fiber optic cables serve as the backbone for global communications systems.

From the planet's largest machine to the latest quantum encryption, optical fibers play a key role in technology innovation as they enable phenomenally high data rates. Installed at the depths of the oceans, throughout cities, and in the most hostile environments on earth, optical fibers serve as the backbone for connecting global communications systems and delivering massive amounts of data every day.

In addition to serving as an important workspace, today’s fiber optic testing labs often host visitors like potential customers or technology partners for demonstrations. As a result, the appearance of the lab is important and can influence a visitor’s perception of the company. A crowded or disorganized lab is not only challenging for engineers to use, but it can also result in a negative impression or leave questions in one’s mind: If things are this disorganized, can I trust the results I’m seeing? Are projects completely efficient? This is especially the case if a visitor was recently at a competitor’s lab that spared no expense in terms of making an effort to maintain a top-notch lab space.