The 5 Most Innovative Uses for Fiber Optics Today

Every year, companies like Fiberguide create new technologies for engineers to incorporate into their designs. With each leap in fiber optic technology, we see thrilling trends emerge. And thus far in 2018, the theme for products using specialty fiber optics seems to be “do more with much less.” These current innovations offer more speed and other exciting high-tech capabilities, but with less bulk and waste. While there are endless possibilities and creative uses, below is a countdown of the top five most game-changing fiber optic technology applications today.

5. Seemingly Futuristic High-Speed Transceivers

With the Internet of Things, the Cloud, and Big Data taking over, consumers have demanded faster Ethernet than ever before. A few cutting-edge companies have started to meet that demand. Thanks to improved fiber optic capabilities, speeds as fast as 400G are just over the horizon. In fact, Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density transceivers are no longer just a fabrication of science fiction portrayed in a Gene Roddenberry movie.

4. Cost-Effective QSFP28 Transceivers

While 400G speeds are just around the corner, don’t count 100G out just yet. Some innovative professionals are employing QSFP28 transceivers to carry 100G speeds. With this application, quick speeds can come without the bulk that other connectors have. It’s a smart way to do more with less.

3. New Standard Form Factors

Currently, there are several formats considered standard for 100G: CFP, QSFP28, CFP4, and CFP2. While these formats are certainly satisfactory, new advancements aim to streamline production and narrow the playing field. Thanks to its superior durability and unmatched versatility, many in the industry consider the QSFP28 the leader in this race. With improved capabilities in the fiber optic components, the QSFP28 is set to emerge victorious in this race.

2. Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (PON) systems

Some researchers have begun to standardize mass produce Gigabit-capable Passive Optical Network (PON) systems. Systems like the GPON and 1G-EPON help fulfill the consumer demand for more bandwidth and higher capacity. These more efficient systems could not be possible without recent advancement in fiber optics.

1. Remote PHY

In the continual endeavor to give consumers the bandwidth they desire, companies like Cisco Systems Inc. and ANGACOM have announced remote PHY capabilities. This will allow operators to add more density to their CCAP chassis while providing consumers with the ever-elusive bandwidth they’ve been clamoring for. As more companies announce this capability, the industry may witness a race to the top of this niche.

Fiberguide Can Help You Innovate

To be relevant in today’s mercurial communications industry, organizations must align themselves with emerging technology at breakneck speeds. That’s where Fiberguides excels. Fiberguide offers cutting-edge fiber optic technology to futurize operations for the long term. Whether your needs include optical switching, silicon photonics or other optical communications technologies Fiberguide has design and assembly expertise that can help speed or improve your products. For decades, Fiberguide has been recognized by OEM producers as the reliable and strategic fiber optic partner, offering practical solutions that do more with less. Learn more about Fiberguide’s solutions.

Read more at fiberguide.com

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

governance
Exploring the Intersection of Board Governance, Community Engagement and Creativity with Ann Margolin
February 23, 2026

Behind every city vote, hospital budget or zoning decision is a leader navigating tough, often conflicting priorities. Right now, public leaders are operating in an environment of rising healthcare costs, workforce shortages and heightened community expectations—especially within safety-net systems that collectively provide billions in uncompensated care each year. The stakes are real—they affect patients…

Read More
career-connected
Workforce Alignment, and the New Blueprint for Career-Connected Learning Ecosystems
February 23, 2026

Workforce shortages, shifting federal and state policy, and rising skepticism about the return on investment of a traditional four-year degree have pushed career-connected learning to the forefront of education reform. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment is expected to increase by nearly 4.7 million jobs between 2022 and 2032, with…

Read More
hiring strategy
AI Is Reshaping Hiring Strategy And Critical Roles Are Shifting to Permanent Talent
February 20, 2026

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future-state discussion—it’s a present-day leadership priority. As enterprises accelerate the adoption of generative AI and automation tools, hiring strategies are evolving alongside broader business transformation. According to McKinsey’s 2025 State of AI report, 88% of organizations now report using AI in at least one business function, underscoring how…

Read More
Larry North
Resilience, Reinvention, and the Relentless Pursuit of Growth: Larry North’s Journey from Fitness Icon to Private Equity Leader
February 20, 2026

Entrepreneurship is being glamorized in real time. Social media highlights overnight wins, AI tools promise instant scale, and private equity is reshaping industries at a rapid clip. Yet behind every “success story” is something far less flashy: failure, adaptability, and the discipline to keep going when life hits hard. According to the U.S. Bureau…

Read More