20 April 2026
Sumitomo Electric’s 16-Fiber Ribbon Fusion Splicer have been awarded by 2026 LIGHTWAVE INNOVATION REVIEWS
Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, a group company of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., announced that it was named an honoree in the 2026 LIGHTWAVE INNOVATION REVIEWS for 16-Fiber Ribbon Fusion Splicer*1. The fusion splicer has been recognized as an innovative product that reduces work time and errors in multi-fiber fusion splicing, earning the highest score in the “Data Center Fiber, Cable, Enclosures and Accessories” category.
LIGHTWAVE™*2 is a major U.S. media outlet covering optical communications and broadband technology. Its annual “INNOVATION REVIEWS” program evaluates and honors innovative optical communication technologies and products. Sumitomo Electric’s 16-Fiber Ribbon Fusion Splicer received a high score of 4.5 out of 5.0 points. The awards ceremony and trophy presentation took place on March 16th, at OFC 2026 in Los Angeles, California, the world’s largest exhibition for optical communication-related technologies.
Developed to accelerate the construction of communication infrastructure that meets the needs of data centers and future networks, the 16-Fiber Fusion Splicer incorporates Sumitomo Electric’s patented AI technology ‘NanoTune™’ and uniquely sophisticated design and cutting-edge technologies, and is capable of splicing single optical fibers and fiber ribbons with up to 16 fibers.
・Main Features of our 16-Fiber Fusion Splicer
NanoTune™ automatically identifies optimal fusion-splicing conditions based on the fiber’s end face. When a cleave error is detected, fibers are spliced with an optimized arc condition.
Auto-clamping adjustment system (ACAS) automatically optimizes the clamping pressure according to the number of fibers.
Buildup and dust adhere to V-grooves due to repeated splicing. Cleaning the splicer is now easier with patented special coatings on the V-grooves and microscope lenses. Additionally, the microscope lens has an anti-scratch and anti-fog coating that preserves image quality for superior splicing.
Replaceable V-grooves allow for increased versatility required when splicing ribbon fiber. V-groove is interchangeable between 200 and 250-micron pitch.
*1 Fusion Splicer: A device that joins optical fibers by melting their end faces using heat generated by an electric arc.
*2 LIGHTWAVE is a trademark or registered trademark of Endeavor Business Media, LLC in the U.S. and other countries.
Relevant Articles from LIGHTWAVE official website:
・List of all awarded products:
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/home/article/55336692/2026-lightwave-innovation-reviews-honorees
・Introduction of our 16f Ribbon Fusion Splicer:
https://www.lightwaveonline.com/home/product/55355388/sumitomo-electric-lightwave-quantum-ultra-ribbon-fiber-splicer