NEWS BUSINESS
Japanese researchers ‘break transmission record’ over 1,045km with three-mode optical fibre
Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT),
in partnership with Fujikura, has demonstrated a transmission experiment over 1,045km with a data-rate of 159Tb/s. This was achieved using the recently developed three-mode optical fibre, which is capable of wide-band wavelength multiplexing transmission with standard outer diameter (0.125mm) that can be cabled with existing equipment. The organisations believe this achievement
shows that such limitations previously associated with multimode fibres can be overcome. It has historically, they said, been difficult to simultaneously satisfy large data-rates and long-distance transmission due to different propagation delays between optical signals in different modes. NICT constructed the transmission system
using an optical fibre developed by Fujikura, and successfully transmitted over 1,045km with a data-rate of 159Tb/s. Converting the results to the product of transmission data-rate and distance results in 166Pb/s×km, which NICT says is approximately twice the world record so far in the few-mode fibres, and the largest data-rate over 1,000km for any kind of standard-
The NICT transmission system
diameter fibre. The system includes the three-mode optical fibre; 348 wavelength optical comb light source; 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) multi-level modulation technology equivalent to four bits/single polarisation symbol; and separation technology of multimode optical signals with different propagation speeds in fibre, which enables unscrambling of mixed modal signals even after transmission over more than 1,000km. This shows standard outer diameter multimode fibres can be used for communication of high capacity optical backbone transmission systems.
In a statement, the NICT said: ‘When laying of
standard outer diameter optical fibres takes place, the existing equipment can be used and the practical use at an early stage is promising. Also, ultimate large-capacity transmission will become possible in the future if combined with multicore technology, which is researched by NICT in cooperation with industry, university and government in Japan. We will continue to research and develop future optical communication infrastructure technologies, which can smoothly accommodate traffic such as big data and 5G network services.’
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CityFibre agrees terms for £537.8m cash acquisition by Bidco
UK-based alternative fibre network provider, CityFibre has agreed terms for a recommended cash acquisition by Bidco, which is to pay 81p per share in a deal worth £537.8 million. Bidco is indirectly owned by a
consortium including private equity house Antin and Goldman Sachs’ West Street Infrastructure Partners (WSIP). The acquisition is due to be implemented with a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act. It must first be approved by a majority of scheme shareholders present and voting (and entitled to vote) at the scheme court meeting, either in person or by proxy, representing 75 per cent in nominal value of the scheme shares held by those scheme shareholders. Having taken advice from
Rothschild, the directors of CityFibre consider the terms of the acquisition reasonable. Rothschild is said to have taken into account the commercial assessments of the directors, who intend to recommend unanimously that shareholders vote, or procure the voting, to approve the scheme at the meeting. The move comes as CityFibre seeks to increase funding for its building of fibre to the premises (FTTP) networks around the UK. It is currently working in partnership with Vodafone to bring fibre-to-the- premises (FTTP) infrastructure up to five million UK homes and businesses by 2025. The acquisition is subject to
conditions, including the receipt of anti-trust clearances from the relevant authorities in China and
6 FIBRE SYSTEMS Issue 20 • Summer 2018
the European Union (or the lapsing of the relevant waiting periods), each such clearance being on terms that are satisfactory to Bidco, WSIP and Antin. Commenting on the agreement,
Chris Stone, chairman of CityFibre, said that the board: ‘believes that this transaction represents compelling value for CityFibre’s existing shareholders and is also a good solution for CityFibre’s long-term funding. Under private ownership, CityFibre will be able to gain alternative and potentially easier access to the financing required for its announced FTTH deployment. This will strengthen the company’s ability to deliver on its vision to provide full fibre infrastructure to 20 per cent of the UK market.’
Managing partner of Antin,
Mark Crosbie, said: ‘We are very excited to support the company in its next phase of development, as it becomes a leading alternative fibre-based communications provider in UK cities. ‘We have significant experience
in investing and supporting infrastructure businesses in the telecom sector and we look forward to working with CityFibre’s management team to realise the full potential of their vision.’ Philippe Camu, global head of
WSIP, said: ‘CityFibre is an exciting and innovative communications infrastructure company and we strongly support its vision to expand fibre-based broadband networks across the UK.’
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