Corning and Nokia have announced a strategic collaboration to deliver fibre-to-the-edge (FTTE) and optical LAN solutions for enterprise networks across the EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions. The partnership combines Corning’s passive optical components with Nokia’s active networking systems to offer an end-to-end fibre architecture aimed at organisations seeking scalable, energy-efficient alternatives to traditional copper-based LANs.
Most enterprise networks still rely on copper cabling that must be upgraded frequently to support higher-bandwidth services such as Wi-Fi, cloud applications, video and IoT devices. Optical LAN replaces this point-to-point model with a converged fibre infrastructure capable of carrying multiple services on a single network. Corning and Nokia’s joint solution is designed to simplify operations, reduce cabling requirements and support long-reach, high-speed connectivity.
The companies say the approach can reduce cabling by up to 70 per cent, cut total cost of ownership by as much as half, and extend network lifespan to 50 years. Fibre’s longer reach also enables remote powering of edge devices at distances of up to 600 metres, reducing the need for distributed power sources.
The collaboration targets sectors with growing requirements for modernised digital infrastructure, including hospitality, healthcare and education. The combined solution is already available across several market segments in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia-Pacific.
Corning and Nokia said the collaboration aims to support organisations deploying future network technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 and expanding IoT ecosystems, while reducing operational complexity and improving sustainability outcomes.
