G&H Showcases Hi-Rel Subsea Fiber Solutions and U.S. TFLN Manufacturing at OFC 2026
2026 February - G&H (LON:GHH), a global leader in high-performance photonic solutions, will present its advanced fiber optics portfolio at the 2026 Optical Fiber Communications Exhibition (OFC), taking place 17–19 March 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, California, USA.
At OFC 2026, G&H will highlight its high-reliability fused fiber couplers, next-generation 4×4 coupler architectures, Fiber-Q® fiber-coupled acousto-optic modulators, and Polarization Diverse Receiver (PDR) products - engineered to support the increasing capacity, miniaturization, and lifetime demands of subsea and high-performance fiber systems.
Scaling Capacity Without Increasing Risk
With 99% of global telecommunications traffic carried by subsea cables, system reliability and lifetime stability remain non-negotiable. Optical repeaters deployed approximately every 50 miles must operate unattended for decades, placing stringent requirements on passive components embedded within EDFA architectures.
G&H is the largest supplier of High-Reliability (Hi-Rel) fused fiber couplers for subsea telecommunications, with more than 500,000 components deployed globally and zero in-field failures over 20+ years. Designed for 25-year operational lifetimes, G&H couplers deliver ultra-low insertion loss, high polarization stability, and a validated 0.1 FIT rate.
At OFC 2026, G&H will also present its high-reliability 4×4 fused coupler architecture, developed to reduce component count and internal amplifier footprint while maintaining proven lifetime performance. As subsea networks transition toward higher channel density - including increased fiber pair counts and space-division multiplexing (SDM) - miniaturization without compromising reliability becomes a system requirement.
Smart Fiber Sensing Moves to Volume Deployment
Reflecting the industry’s transition from evaluation to large-scale implementation, G&H is currently shipping large volumes of Fiber-Q® units to Hi-Rel customers. These devices are being integrated into environmental sensing modules within next-generation undersea cable systems. These sensing systems enable distributed monitoring across long subsea distances, supporting predictive maintenance strategies and enhanced long-term resilience.
Reliability Engineered at the Point of Fusion
G&H’s fiber optic components are manufactured using closed-loop fusion process control, with real-time monitoring of temperature, tension, draw rate, and optical performance parameters. This disciplined approach ensures repeatable mechanical strength, environmental stability, and long-term polarization performance - critical for components that cannot be accessed once deployed.
Products are qualified through rigorous verification regimes, including accelerated ageing and Weibull analysis, supported by full material traceability and dedicated Hi-Rel manufacturing workflows.
As a vertically integrated manufacturer, G&H combines in-house materials expertise, fusion process control, and high-volume production capability to deliver dependable lifetime performance across subsea, aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.
“Subsea system designers face a dual challenge: increasing capacity while maintaining absolute reliability,” said Toby Woodbridge, Product Manager, Fiber Optics at G&H. “Our approach combines decades of subsea deployment experience with disciplined process control and next-generation architectures such as our 4×4 fused coupler. This allows customers to scale performance without introducing risk.”
Expanding U.S. Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) Manufacturing for Next-Generation Communications
In parallel with its fiber innovations, G&H plans to scale production of Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) in the United States.
TFLN technology is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler for next-generation optical communications, offering high bandwidth, low loss, and improved power efficiency for advanced modulation and photonic integrated circuit platforms. G&H intends to become the primary U.S.-based manufacturer of TFLN, strengthening domestic supply chain resilience for both commercial and high-reliability communications markets.
The expansion of TFLN capability complements G&H’s established fiber optic portfolio, reinforcing its position as a vertically integrated partner across both passive and active photonic architectures supporting future optical transport systems.
G&H specialists will be available throughout OFC 2026 to discuss high-reliability fiber solutions, smart sensing architectures, TFLN manufacturing capabilities, and custom photonic designs for demanding communications environments.
Visit us at booth #1022 | Los Angeles Convention Center, California, USA | 17–19 March 2026