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The History of Fiber

If you think fiber is a new technology, you might be surprised to find out that it’s been around for decades. So, how long has it been around, and why on earth did we bother with those early days of dial-up internet if a better option existed?  

Before we get into that, let’s take a step back and define what fiber optic means.
 

What is Fiber?

Even those of us in the industry may use the word “fiber” regularly without really knowing what it is. Fiber optic communication refers to a method of transmitting information through pulses of infrared light through optical fibers—tiny fibers bundled together to form cables the size of a strand of human hair.
 

Fiber’s Past, Present, and Future

While fiber optic cables have been in use since the 1970s, the technology behind it dates back much further. Here’s a quick synopsis:

  • Mid-1800s: Researchers like Alexander Graham Bell laid the foundation for the invention of fiber optic cables. Bell’s Photophone, an early attempt at the telephone, transmitted sound through a beam of light—making it an early precursor to fiber optic communication.
  • 1970s: Glass researchers invented fiber optic wires that could carry 65,000 times more data than copper wires.
  • 1970s-80s: The first traditional telephone companies began using fiber cables to build their networks.
  • 1986: Sprint became the first U.S. telecom company to establish a nationwide, 100% digital fiber-optic network.
  • 1988: The first transatlantic telephone cable to use optical fiber went into operation, connecting the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
  • 1991: A new, all-optic fiber system was invented that could carry 100 times more information than cable.
  • 1996: The first all-optic fiber cable was laid under the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1997: The Fiber Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) became the longest single-cable network in the world, providing the infrastructure for the internet.
     

By the end of 1990s, about 80% of worldwide long-distance traffic data was transmitted via fiber optic cables. As the internet boomed, fiber optic internet replaced traditional copper cables as the need for faster, more reliable connections grew, and fiber became more cost-effective to build. Today, a huge network of fiber-optic cables stretches across the globe, connecting us to each other and the world, and connecting you to your customers.

Did you learn anything new? Just so you know, CHR can help you create or expand your fiber network. We offer engineering, planning and design, and other services to make your project successful. Have questions? Call us at 713.351.5111.