Lightera Advances Second-Generation Antiresonant Hollow Core Fiber and Integrated HCF Ecosystem

New HCF demonstrates at least 30% lower latency and attenuation of 0.5 dB/km or less across the full C- and L-band, supported by Lightera expertise in fiber, cable, mode field adapters, FITEL® Fusion Splicers, and field services

MALAGA, Spain, September 21, 2026 — Lightera, a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, today announced advancements in its second-generation Antiresonant Hollow Core Fiber (HCF), engineered to address the evolving requirements of latency-critical and capacity-intensive networks. Building on Lightera’s experience with hollow core technology, the company is developing an integrated HCF ecosystem spanning fiber, cable, mode field adapters, FITEL Fusion Splicers, and field installation expertise.

Lightera has shipped and deployed hollow core fiber in live networks since 2018. This eight-year track record with photonic bandgap fiber—spanning fiber manufacturing, cabling, termination, splicing, and installation—provides a strong foundation for the continued development and future deployment of the company’s antiresonant HCF technology.

Light travels approximately 46% faster through a hollow core than through solid silica, reducing latency by approximately 1.54 microseconds per kilometer—an improvement of at least 30%. Lightera’s Antiresonant Hollow Core Fiber supports transmission across the full C- and L-band, from 1524 to 1625 nm, with attenuation of 0.5 dB/km or less. These characteristics highlight the potential of HCF for latency-sensitive and high-capacity optical networks, including applications such as high-frequency trading and data center interconnect.

Equally important is the ecosystem needed to support HCF deployment. Drawing on decades of cable design and manufacturing expertise, Lightera is advancing cable solutions optimized for HCF. The company is also developing mode field adapters designed to support integration with existing transmission systems with coupling losses of 0.5 dB or less, alongside FITEL fusion splicing capabilities for laboratory and production environments.

“Lightera brings a unique breadth of experience to the continued development of hollow core technology,” said Kyle Dube, Product Line Manager, Hollow Core Solutions at Lightera. “Over the better part of the last decade, we have gained valuable experience manufacturing, cabling, splicing, and deploying HCF. We are applying those learnings as we advance the technology and the supporting ecosystem needed for future deployment.”

Technology highlights include:

• At least 30% lower latency—approximately 1.54 µs/km less than solid-core fiber
• Full C- and L-band transmission window from 1524 to 1625 nm
• Mode field adapter development supporting integration with existing transmission systems
• Development of outside-plant and indoor/outdoor cable configurations
• An integrated development ecosystem spanning fiber, cable, mode field adapters, fusion splicers, and field expertise

For additional information, visit Lightera at stand 1058 or visit lightera.com.

About Lightera

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions. Built on a legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide.

With operational headquarters in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera serves customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets.

Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a pioneer in advancing the next generation of infrastructure through integrated solutions in connectivity, information, energy, and mobility, to create a safe, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Please visit lightera.com

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Lightera PR Contact:
Sherry Salyer
Sherry.salyer@lightera.com