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FCI created a dedicated fiber-optics division to develop cable assemblies, passive optical components and active devices such as transceivers. The move extended the connector maker’s established copper-interconnect business as faster networks and optical backplanes drew industry attention.
What did FCI’s fiber-optics division make?
Its announced scope covered three broad categories:
- Fiber-optic cable assemblies: cable fitted with optical connectors for linking equipment or components.
- Passive optical products: components that guide, divide, combine or otherwise route optical signals without acting as powered transceivers. Examples cited in a related FCI/Canstar announcement include couplers, splitters, taps, wavelength-division multiplexers (WDMs) and adaptors.
- Active devices: the division’s stated scope included devices such as transceivers, which convert signals between electrical and optical form.
The product examples come from a related FCI/Canstar announcement, which also said FCI Canada acquired Canstar Optical Coupler from Alcatel Canada in June 1997 and continued developing fiber-optic products and technology. FCI/Canstar product announcement
Why did FCI move into fiber optics?
Fiber offered a way to address rising network speeds and changing backplane requirements, while complementing FCI’s copper-interconnect strengths. EDN reported that FCI was developing optical backplanes and quoted FCI’s Pawel Pokrzywa saying, “Most of our new I/Os are fiber optic connectors.” EDN coverage of FCI’s optical-backplane work
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- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
Optical links were presented as a route to higher bandwidth and smaller, less layer-intensive backplane systems. A contemporaneous EE Times report cited an estimate of 300,000 optical backplanes shipped in the previous year and analyst Fleck’s forecasts of a $9.8 billion industry in five years and up to $25 billion in ten years. Those were projections made around 2000, not current market measurements. EE Times coverage of FCI’s fiber-optics division
How were Berg Electronics and Canstar related to the expansion?
EE Times reported that FCI entered the fiber-optic cable-assembly business by acquiring Berg Electronics in 1998; EDN also links the acquisition to FCI’s fiber expansion. The Canstar Optical Coupler acquisition was earlier: FCI Canada acquired it from Alcatel Canada in June 1997, according to the related product announcement. These were distinct steps in building fiber capabilities, not one acquisition.
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- Please REMOVE the end protective caps before using the cable.
- IN THE BOX: 6-foot digital optical audio Toslink cable.
- CLEAR AUDIO: Multi-channel, fiber-optic digital audio output; corrosion resistant gold-plated connectors and buffer tubing for optimal signal transfer.
- DURABLE: Lightweight, flexible cable with a rugged PVC exterior and removable rubber tips that protect the cable when not plugged in; remove before using.
- CONNECTS DEVICES: Quickly connects a sound bar, CD player, Blu-Ray player, game console, or other device to an audio system or TV.
What is the difference between an assembly, coupler, splitter and transceiver?
- Cable assembly: a prepared cable with connector ends, used to make a physical optical connection.
- Coupler: a passive component that couples optical paths or signals.
- Splitter: a passive component that distributes an optical signal across multiple paths.
- Transceiver: an active device that transmits and receives signals, typically converting between electrical and optical signals.
The historical announcement names these product categories but does not provide specifications or current model comparisons. For a present-day product choice, compare connector type and polish, single-mode or multimode fiber, wavelength and transmission speed, insertion and return loss, cable length, and jacket or environmental rating.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about the division today?
The historical coverage establishes the division’s announced scope and its place in FCI’s expansion into fiber, but does not establish the present-day legal ownership or operating status of that exact division. FOCI Fiber Optic Communications, Inc. is a separate Taiwan company; its similarly shaped acronym is not evidence about FCI’s historical division. FOCI company profile
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- 【Rugged Outdoor-Grade TPU Jacket】This armored fiber optic cable features a thick industrial TPU jacket with excellent tensile strength, UV resistance, abrasion protection, and waterproof performance. Built for long-term reliability in harsh environments like snowfields, deserts, mountain ridges, tunnels, coastal zones, rooftops, factories, roadside trenches, and construction sites. Supports direct burial, conduit routing, or overhead use. Available in 5m to 300m lengths for residential and commercial deployments.
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- 【Pre-Installed Pulling Eye for Easy Deployment】The cable comes pre-terminated with a swivel pulling eye kit on one end, allowing for efficient and safe pulling through conduits, ducts, bridge trays, risers, telecom manholes, and underground raceways. It eliminates the risk of fiber damage during long-distance installations. The pulling eye cover is removable and reusable, making it ideal for multi-phase construction, structured cabling, building backbone links, outdoor trench routing, industrial campuses, and FTTH deployments across large properties.
- 【OM3/OM4 High-Speed Transmission up to 100Gbps】This armored fiber optic cable uses 50/125μm multimode fiber to support high-speed Ethernet connectivity. At 850nm wavelength, OM3 supports 10Gbps up to 300m, 40Gbps up to 100m, and 100Gbps up to 70m; OM4 extends these distances to 400m, 150m, and 100m respectively. Ideal for data center backbones, enterprise LANs, telecom rooms, FTTH deployments, server farms, campus networks, SAN/NAS storage interconnects, broadcast studios, control systems, surveillance backhauls, and other high-density, high-bandwidth fiber optic infrastructure.
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- Optical digital audio cable: Perfect for equipment with a TOSLINK interface (OPT In / OPT Out or S/PDIF In / S/PDIF Out). TOSLINK connector to TOSLINK connector (F05 connector)
- Versatile: Ideal for transmitting crystal-clear digital audio from your TV, video game console (PS3/PS4/Xbox One), DVD/Blu-ray player, or TV streaming box to a soundbar, amplifier/amp, stereo/Hi-Fi system, D/A converter, and more
- High-End: This metal-free fiber optic audio cable, featuring a fully flexible PVC jacket, is entirely immune to electrical interference. Each cable undergoes multi-stage testing during manufacturing to ensure maximum product quality and durability
- 24K gold-plated connectors: Corrosion resistant gold plating keeps connectors clean. And because these cables are fiber optic, they provide 100 % signal transmission with 0 % loss
- No risk: 36 months manufacturer warranty
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- 【Extra-Long 10ft Cable for Flexible Setup】iVANKY 10ft optical audio cable provides just the right length to connect your devices comfortably - no more struggling with cables that are too short. Enjoy the same pristine, lossless audio quality while having the freedom to arrange your home theater, gaming system, or audio components exactly how you want
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
