The past couple years have witnessed a yo-yo of sorts for the fiber-optic market. Huge demand for fiber cabling in 2022 was followed by softer demand in ’23. So will 2024 be a comeback year? AFL’s vice president of market strategy and innovation Seán Adam believes so, and tells us why in this wide-ranging discussion. Adam details the several drivers that are escalating demand for fiber cable and connectivity, even in the face of some headwinds. In fact, he points out that some advancements and innovations found in today’s fiber-cabling technologies can be the exact antidotes...

While optical networking is the obvious choice for high-speed data center operations, fiber-optic cabling is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Different fiber types and various connector interfaces present options—and sometimes-difficult choices—for data center administrators, who also must consider characteristics like compatibility and interoperability with an eye toward high-speed upgrades. In this conversation, EXFO’s business development manager Cole Bondy describes the pivotal role that EXFO plays by providing assurance and detecting trouble in data center fiber-optic networks...