Fiber Focus

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
  • 5.0 (4)
  • TECHNOLOGY

Fiber Focus is the podcast from Sumitomo Electric Lightwave that explores the technology, tools, and techniques behind modern fiber optic networks. From product innovations to practical insights for data center and on-prem environments, each episode helps industry professionals stay connected to what matters most.

  1. 5D AGO

    Rethinking the Connectors of Tomorrow

    We are back with Greg Pierce in the studio! As senior product manager specializing in hyperscale data center and enterprise network hardware products, Greg is up close every day with fiber optic connector innovations. He summarizes the current state of connectivity evolution, exploring both the upsides and challenges related to next-generation connector types. This conversation covers topics including MMC, SNMT, and EBO connectors; optical circuit switches; and emerging high-bandwidth, low-latency fiber technologies. Tune in to this episode to learn more.  Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.    Episode Links AI-Ready Connectors Blog: https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/ai-ready-connectors-for-facilities-of-any-size Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pierce-4b977b10/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly   Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    14 min

  2. APR 20

    How to Turn Struggle into Success

    Fiber optic cable is not one thing. It is a precision-engineered and manufactured whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The high-quality optical fibers, coating, jacketing, strength members – all integral parts and materials – together form the backbone of the digital age.  In this episode of Fiber Focus, Loren Rapp contributes her insight on this complex supply chain as product line manager for Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s fiber optic cables.  She explains how AI- and broadband-driven demand for optical products impacts manufacturers and suppliers alike, then reminds us that the industry has always been about innovation and resilience. Now more than ever, companies that can plan, pivot, and build relationships with multiple vendors are less likely to struggle and far more likely to succeed. Tune in to this conversation to learn more. Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.  Episode Links Connect with Us: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/contact-us/ Loren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-vitter-rapp-a268a61a/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly

    10 min

  3. MAR 30

    Customer-Centric Design

    Fiber Focus pulled James Deane away from his desk for this episode to discuss his work as senior product design engineer for Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s fiber optic cables.  Driven to make a positive impact on society through engineering, James considers every person who his work impacts, beginning with material mining and extending all the way through a cable’s lifecycle. Especially as it relates to customers in the AI Boom, he is focused on innovative ways to deliver the high-density bandwidth that network operators need on time with long-term reliability. His customer-centric approach aligns with the company’s, and it includes thoughtful packaging designs and time-saving deployment methods. Tune in to this episode to learn more.  Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.    Episode Links Optical Fiber Cable Solutions: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/optical-fiber-cable-solutions/ James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-deane/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly

    13 min

  4. MAR 9

    Time to Say Goodbye

    This episode of Fiber Focus features Josh Seawell, our director of product management, who is enthusiastic about the ways AI is poised to change people’s lives at home and work. For network operators, that potential comes with extraordinary opportunity in the near term to both deliver and seize tremendous value. The path to those customer experiences (and revenue) is through strategic investments in their infrastructure, and the time is now.  Legacy networks – any infrastructure built with mature technologies, whether greenfield or brownfield – make organizations less competitive and decrease their profits. Josh discusses some of the practical steps that operators can take to better meet the expectations of their customers starting today. Tune in to this conversation to learn more.    Josh will be among the industry experts speaking at DCD>Connect from March 23-24 at the Marriott Marquis, Times Square in New York.   Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.   Episode Links Redefining “Legacy Network” Blog: https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/what-is-a-legacy-network-in-2026 DCD>Connect New York: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/dcdconnect-live/new-york/2026/ Josh on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-seawell-09770979/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly   Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    20 min

  5. FEB 23

    Looking on the Bright Side

    At a time when hyperscale network infrastructure projects are consuming most of the available bandwidth – both literally and figuratively – product manager Yuko Agano is here to let everyone else in on some good news.  Air-blown fiber technologies are consistently available to ship in two to three weeks!  Sumitomo Electric Lightwave manufactures air-blown fiber bundles right here in Raleigh, North Carolina, and as a subsidiary of Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. (SEI), benefits from the collective purchasing power and supply chain relationships of 421 subsidiaries and affiliates in more than 40 countries around the world. This ready availability is one bright spot. Another is that air-blown fiber offers network operators some relief from having to compete with larger projects for skilled labor, since it requires fewer technicians and less time to install than conventional cable deployments.  Tune in to this conversation to learn more. To see FutureFLEX® Air-Blown Fiber® for yourself, connect with us in Booth 1658 at OFC 2026, March 17-19 in Los Angeles, California.  Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.  Episode Links FutureFLEX® Air-Blown Fiber®:  https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/futureflex-air-blown-fiber-solutions/ About Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.: https://sumitomoelectric.com/company Register for OFC 2026: https://www.ofcconference.org/registration?_gl=1*15rfs7i*_up*MQ..*_ga*NDIxNTg0ODA5LjE3NjU1NzA5MjA.*_ga_WCQ36P9K1M*czE3NjU1NzA5MjAkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjU1NzA5MjAkajYwJGwwJGgw Yuko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuko-agano-504927106/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly   Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    9 min

  6. FEB 9

    Giving Back to the Industry

    Sean Kelly, RCDD, general manager and technical director at Light Brigade, visited Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina for this episode of Fiber Focus. Early in his nearly 30 years in the industry, Sean helped develop some of the innovative connector products that shape today’s networks. Now his heart is set on evolving and improving the industry through its workforce. These efforts are particularly crucial at this moment, when network demand is skyrocketing and there is only one new technician entering the field for every five that cycle out into management roles or retirement.  Light Brigade, in partnership with industry-leading organizations, offers certified fiber optic education and hands-on skills training with focus areas that include installation, testing, troubleshooting, engineering, and design. Tune in to this episode to learn more.  Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X.    Episode Links Light Brigade Certified Fiber Optic Training: https://www.lightbrigade.com/ Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skelly328/ Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly   Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    15 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Trusted Suppliers Help Customers Navigate Extreme Demand

    When the clock is ticking and lead times grow longer, solid manufacturer/customer relationships are invaluable. In his more than 35 years of telecom experience, senior product manager Greg Pierce has seen it all. He reflects in this episode of Fiber Focus on the state of the industry, especially how massive, AI-fueled demand is straining global manufacturing capacity for fiber optic cabling and connectivity products. This scenario is a familiar one for Greg, who offers some advice for customers navigating supply uncertainty. He underscores the importance of working closely with trusted suppliers, proactively if possible, and having design flexibility. Solid communication, collaboration, and deep product portfolios enable a creative mix of in-stock and custom products to uniquely meet any given network’s requirements and project timetable. Tune in to this conversation to learn more. Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X. Episode LinksContact Us: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/contact-us/Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pierce-4b977b10/Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly Connect with Sumitomo Electric LightwaveWebsite: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    11 min

  8. 11/17/2025

    Challenging Times Demand Creative Cable Solutions

    Previously on Fiber Focus, we discussed how artificial intelligence and machine learning are rapidly consuming the industry’s supply of high-performance, high-density network products. Loren Rapp dives deeper in this episode. As Sumitomo Electric Lightwave’s product line manager for fiber optic cable, Loren has day-in and day-out supply chain experience. Listen in for her insights on the creative workarounds that customers can consider when demand is skyrocketing for particular products. For example, pliable ribbon cable, aka intermittent bonded ribbon (IBR) cable, is a precision-manufactured product optimized for the AI factory projects that are racing to ramp up around the world. What is a customer to do when the IBR product specified on their BOM has a lead time that could result in costly delays? With a creative, collaborative approach, customers and manufacturers can keep projects moving forward together. Tune in to this conversation to learn more.Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe, share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn and X. Episode LinksRegional Sales Managers: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/regional-managers/Q102-M12+ Fusion Splicer: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product/q102-m12-plus/Splicing 200µm to 250µm Fibers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_8zdyjCxkQLoren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-vitter-rapp-a268a61a/Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly Connect with Sumitomo Electric LightwaveWebsite: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Fiber Focus is the podcast from Sumitomo Electric Lightwave that explores the technology, tools, and techniques behind modern fiber optic networks. From product innovations to practical insights for data center and on-prem environments, each episode helps industry professionals stay connected to what matters most.

Information

  • Creator
    Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sumitomo Electric Lightwave

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