The Global Optical Fiber and Cable Conference 2026 was held in Optics Valley of China (OVC) on Oct 19, during which the world's first international standard for multi-core fiber was unveiled.

The standard, spearheaded by the technical committee of the Asia-Pacific Optical Fiber and Cable Industry Association (APC), was jointly developed by companies like FiberHome and institutions such as Shanghai University. 

World's first international standard for multi-core fiber is released at the conference. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The standard establishes common technical requirements for weakly coupled single-mode multi-core optical fiber, helping pave the way for its wider commercial use in high-speed data centers, submarine communications cables and other advanced optical communication systems.

In his speech, Ao Li, vice-president of the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, emphasized that the release of the standard paves the way for coordination across the industry chain.

Experts highlighted the significant advantages of OVC's optical communication industry cluster and recommend that local enterprises accelerate the industrialization and market promotion of multi-core fiber. This could expand their market presence in next-generation information infrastructure projects like 6G and transoceanic large-capacity communication.

OVC produces approximately one-quarter of the world's fiber optic cables, boasting a complete industrial chain from fiber preforms, fiber drawing, and optical cables to transmission equipment and optical devices, with leading companies like FiberHome based here.