Optical fiber systems: Low-loss links: Long-wavelength intercity telecommunications increase repeater spacing and promise low cost

Reports of optical fiber system research and development, in Europe point to the following: (1) Low-loss systems operating in the 1100 to 1600-nm waveband show promise of high performance with long repeater spacings. (2) A strong effort is under way to develop wideband switched networks as an economical and competitive alternative to CATV networks. (3) Fiber links may be used to provide digital pathways to business premises to service a large private automatic branch exchange (PABX), but the real impact will come only with video services. (4) No major failure have been reported for optical fiber systems; users find them simple to install, rugged, and less demanding in duct space. (5) The first generation of fiber systems, now entering service, offer the same quality and cost of service as present telecommunication systems. These points are discussed in this paper.