February 27, 2025
[Raleigh, NC, February 27, 2025] - Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL), a Sumitomo Electric Industries Group company, announced today that it was recognized twice in the 2025 Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews, for its Lynx-CustomFit™ Splice-On Connector and the Transit Tunnel Optical Network Solutions.
“On behalf of the Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews, I would like to congratulate Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on achieving a well-deserved Elite honoree status,” said Lightwave+BTR Editor-In-Chief Sean Buckley, “This competitive program enables Lightwave+BTR to showcase and applaud the most innovative products, projects, technologies, and programs that significantly impact the industry.”
A panel of judges evaluated entries for originality, innovation, positive impact on the customer, how well they addressed a new or existing requirement, and cost-effectiveness. From there, entries were rated on a scale of one to five, with five recognizing an entry that brings something unique to optical and broadband communities.
Judges awarded the Lynx-CustomFit™ Splice-On Connector a 4.5 in the Optical Components category for being a reliable and cost-effective solution for scalable, low-latency, high-bandwidth optical networks. The latest Lynx-CustomFit™ innovations enable installers to quickly and easily complete permanent field terminations as an alternative to pig-tail assemblies or pre-terminated cables.
SEL’s Transit Tunnel Optical Network Solutions scored a 4.0 in the Carrier Fiber, Cable, Enclosures, and Accessories category. Developed to overcome the challenges inherent in last-mile, urban fiber optic deployments, the Transit Tunnel Optical Network Solutions enable cities to leverage existing tunnel systems to quickly expand their broadband infrastructure in a weather-protected environment without costly, disruptive surface-level construction.
The award-winning transit solutions include SEL’s NFPA 130 standards-compliant dry Freeform Ribbon™ Transit Cable, designed for duct, direct buried, and direct tray installations, and IP66-compliant Transit Enclosures. Available pre-terminated or splice-ready, the enclosures provide a secure, clean, and cost-efficient distribution point for transitioning cables in environmentally hardened, water-tight, and key-lockable wall or ceiling-mountable installations.
“We are honored for our solutions to receive these awards from the Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews Panel,” stated Yoshi Suetsugu, Chairman and CEO of Sumitomo Electric Lightwave. “This recognition for two different solutions highlights our commitment to arm our customers with the right mix of products for each unique deployment.”
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave (SEL) is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (SEI), a global corporate group founded in 1897, comprised of 415 subsidiaries, affiliates, and more than 290,000 employees in 40 countries worldwide. Together, they are a leading-edge force advancing information and communications technology. They continue to shape optical fiber networks through decades of pioneering industry-changing and customer-focused innovations.
Lightwave+BTR bring over 36 years of trusted technical insights to today's optical communications professionals. Through their integrated media portfolio, Lightwave delivers content focused on fiber optics and optoelectronics, the technologies that enable the growth, integration and improved performance of voice, data and video communications networks and services. Their experienced editorial team provides trusted technology, application and market insights to corporate executives, department heads, project managers, network engineers and technical managers at equipment suppliers, service providers and major end-user organizations. Their unique ability to inform audience’s business-critical decisions is based in their 35+ year relationship with the entire optical community—technology vendors, communications carriers and major enterprises—and their recognition of the interplay among its members.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jacob Godwin
Marketing & Communications Manager
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
919-452-9504
jgodwin@sumitomoelectric.com
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