News Release

Okano Cable Co., Ltd.
Development Completed for New Multi-point Optical Fiber Communication Device
- Up to 50 devices can be connected with 40km optical fiber between each device, for communication up to 20,000km -

February 16, 2016

Okano Cable Co., Ltd.

Okano Cable Co., Ltd. (main office: 1-5-28 Fukaminishi, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa, President: Yasuhiro Kamikura), a member of the Furukawa Electric Group, has developed and is now selling "FT9000," the successor to the "FT6000" multi-point optical fiber communication device.

In addition to improved sound quality, "FT9000" allows for eight hours of communication under normal battery life (24 hours in sleep mode during an emergency).

Background

Optical fiber communication devices allow for easy communication between two devices — simply plug a single mode optical fiber wire with the SC connectors into both devices and turn the power on. This allows for simultaneous communication between multiple optical fiber communication construction sites — without any need to supply power. The devices can be placed up to 40km apart without being affected by electromagnetic noise.

Features

FT9000 multi-point optical fiber communication device

The new device offers several benefits over the previous model: (1) even better sound quality, (2) up to 50 devices can be connected, (3) smaller at 125 x 65 x 110mm (volume reduced from 1.5L to 0.9L), (4) weight reduced from 1.5kg to 0.9kg, (5) can be connected to a wireless headset, (6) operates for eight hours on four C cell batteries (24 hours in sleep mode during an emergency), (7) can also use 100-240 VAC or commercial cellphone batteries with 5V USB connectors, (8) silicon guards added to outside of body.

The product can be used in a variety of situations, such as construction jobs for switching optical line communication, communication during facility construction along railway lines, communication during service tunnel construction, long range communication within facilities, hotlines, and wired emergency communication in mountainous regions and the like.

The product is sold under an open pricing plan, and we aims to sell 100 devices per year during 2016 FY.

We will exhibit the product during Zentsukyo Techno Fair 2016, to be held in Tokyo Kotsukaikan this year on February 16 and 17.

About Furukawa Electric Group

Furukawa Electric (TSE; 5801, ISIN; JP3827200001) Group started business in 1884, when its copper-smelting facility and wire manufacturing factory was established. Since then Furukawa Electric has become pioneers in the latest technologies by addressing diverse technological issues. Furukawa Electric has released products in a number of areas, including telecommunications, electronics, automobiles, and construction, with the three types of materials it works with at their core, namely, optics, plastics, and metals. Many of these products have attained the top global market share, and all of its products have contributed to society in numerous business areas. Furukawa Electric reported consolidated revenues of JPY 867.8 billion (approximately USD 8.2B) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.