--- title: Understanding Submarine Optical Fibers description: Submarine fiber is frequently used by large companies for simulating subsea networks and links. Understand more about submarine fiber optic cable. image: https://www.m2optics.com/hubfs/Fiber%20Lab%20Images%202020/IMG_9258.png --- - **Phone** [919-342-5619](tel:919-342-5619) - **Toll Free** [866-269-2902](tel:866-269-2902) - **Email** [sales@m2optics.com](mailto:sales@m2optics.com) [![footer-logo](https://www.m2optics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/M2_Optics_2021/footer-logo.png?width=166&height=58&name=footer-logo.png "footer-logo")](https://www.m2optics.com/) [![Request a Call](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/39436/fc7235a3-fa4d-4c7f-bc75-7336bfb927cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/39436/fc7235a3-fa4d-4c7f-bc75-7336bfb927cc) # Understanding Submarine Optical Fibers Posted by [Kevin Miller](https://www.m2optics.com/blog/author/kevin-miller) on Tue, May 11, 2021 @ 08:05 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) We’ve recently written about the importance of simulating submarine fiber networks in a lab environment for testing and training purposes, while highlighting the history and shifting investment dynamic in this arena.  A visit to [Submarine Cable Map](https://www.submarinecablemap.com/) offers an interactive view of the breadth of fiber cabling crisscrossing the oceans of the world, demonstrating its critical importance to global communications. ## Important Fiber Characteristics While the deployment of submarine cables is [frequently in the news](https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/facebook-google-continue-to-lead-latest-undersea-cable-boom) with companies like Google and Facebook actively leading the charge, it’s important to also understand that these subsea cable links are constructed utilizing a different subset of optical fibers than what are typically used for the majority of land-based communications networks. While still requiring single mode fiber due to its properties enabling signal transmission across longer distances, it’s critical that the fibers in submarine cables minimize attenuation (signal loss) to the greatest extent possible given the significantly longer distances involved which may be thousands of kilometers for a transoceanic link.  By minimizing attenuation, the optical signal can travel further along the fiber before a repeater is required, helping to then minimize the number of total repeaters and related costs across the subsea network. Now, we’ll take a look at the particular subset of ultra-low loss single mode fiber that are specifically designed and manufactured for these submarine and transoceanic applications.  ## ITU-T G.654 Standards Submarine optical fibers are designed and manufactured to be ITU G.654 compliant, which according to the [Fiber Optic Association](https://www.thefoa.org/tech/smf.htm) is a single-mode fibre with a zero-dispersion wavelength around 1300nm, cut-off shifted and loss minimized around 1550nm, and optimized for use in the 1500-1600nm wavelength range.  Compared to standard G.652 single mode fibers used for most land-based applications that offer attenuation in the 0.18db/km-0.20db/km range, G.654 fibers for submarine applications typically offer an improved attenuation specification in the range of 0.15db/km-0.17db/km. It is important to note that not all G.654 fibers are intended for submarine applications.  Typically, G.654A-D fibers are designed for these subsea applications, whereas the more recent G.654E is intended for terrestrial land-based applications requiring a lower loss fiber (ex: Corning® TXF®). Corning®, OFS®, Prysmian®, and Sumitomo® are among the most recognized companies that offer a variety of subsea optical fibers, so let’s take a brief look at each.    ## List of Leading Submarine Optical Fiber Manufacturers ** ****Corning****®** | **Product** | **Attenuation (1550 nm)** | **Aeff** | **Compliance** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Corning® SMF-28® ULL S+ ](https://www.corning.com/media/worldwide/coc/documents/Fiber/product-information-sheets/PI-1471.pdf) | 0.160 db/km | 82 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.C | | [Corning®  Vascade® EX2000](https://www.corning.com/media/worldwide/coc/documents/Fiber/product-information-sheets/PI-1440.pdf) | 0.150 db/km | 115 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.B & G.654.D | | [Corning®  Vascade® EX3000](https://www.corning.com/media/worldwide/coc/documents/Fiber/product-information-sheets/PI-1440.pdf) | 0.152 db/km | 153 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.D | ** ****OFS****®** | **Product** | **Attenuation (1550 nm)** | **Aeff** | **Compliance** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [OFS TeraWave SLA+ Fiber](https://www.ofsoptics.com/wp-content/uploads/TeraWave-SLA-Ocean-Fibers-fiber-148-web.pdf) | 0.184 dB/Km | 130 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.B | | [OFS TeraWave® Scuba 125](https://fiber-optic-catalog.ofsoptics.com/documents/pdf/TeraWave-SCUBA-125-Single-mode-Fiber-fap-170-web.pdf) | 0.158 dB/km | 125 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.B & G.654.D | | [OFS TeraWave® Scuba 150](https://stage.fiber-optic-catalog.ofsoptics.com/documents/pdf/TeraWave-Scuba-150-Ocean-Fibers-fiber-168-web.pdf) | 0.155 dB/km | 153 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.D | ** ****Prysmian****®** | **Product** | **Attenuation (1550 nm)** | **Aeff** | **Compliance** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [LongLine™ Optical Fiber](https://www.prysmiangroup.com/sites/default/files/business_markets/markets/downloads/datasheets/SMF---LongLine-Optical-Fiber.pdf) | 0.190 dB/km | 120 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.B |         ** ****Sumitomo****®** [Click Here](https://global-sei.com/fttx/images_n/EG-011_Submarine.pdf) to view all Sumitomo fibers below | **Product** | **Attenuation (1550 nm)** | **Aeff** | **Compliance** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | PureBand® Submarine | 0.174 dB/km | 81 μm2 | ITU-T G.652.D | | Z Fiber® | 0.171 dB/km1 | 78 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.C | | Z-PLUS Fiber® | 0.168 dB/km1 | 112 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.B & G.654.D | | Z-PLUS Fiber® 130 | 0.152 dB/km2 | 130 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.D | | Z-PLUS Fiber® 150 | 0.150 dB/km | 150 μm2 | ITU-T G.654.D |                       *1 - provided a STD, LL, and ULL on their datasheet. STD Used here* *2 - ULL provided in their datasheet* ## Submarine Fibers for Testing, R&D, and Training Do you require any of the fibers above for simulating submarine links and networks in your test lab or training environment?   By partnering with M2 Optics and utilizing the globally recognized [**Fiber Lab **](https://www.m2optics.com/products/fiber-test-boxes)solutions, you can specify any/all types of submarine fibers and lengths for simulating entire subsea fiber links and networks in the most space-efficient manner.  Whether you are developing and certifying subsea network gear or training engineers to support these critical systems, the M2 team will work with you to determine the ideal setup for your project requirements.  To learn more about these fibers or to design a Fiber Lab, [contact us](https://www.m2optics.com/contact-us) today.        Topics: [optical fiber](https://www.m2optics.com/blog/topic/optical-fiber) --- ![Fiber Optic Blog - M2 Optics](https://www.m2optics.com/hubfs/Logos/M2%20Optics%20300px.jpg "Fiber Optic Blog - 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