It all began in the 1970s, when researchers discovered that fiber optic wire was more convenient for transmitting data than copper wires. Since their inception, fiber optic cables have revolutionized the telecommunications industry.
Many companies are looking for reliable internet providers to install fiber optic cables and receive high-speed internet. Some use this technology to hold virtual meetings, facilitating communication with organizations worldwide.
On the other hand, other agencies see fiber optic technology as a revenue-generating activity. Due to the increasing market size, they have erected various structures to become fiber optic suppliers.
So, here is a list of the fifteen largest fiber optic companies in the world, ranked by annual revenue.
#15: Tongding Interconnection Information Co., Ltd. – $420 million
Tongding produces a wide variety of fiber optic cables, such as the massive coil shown above.
Tongding Interconnection Information Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Wujiang, China. The fiber optic company is one of the cable industries in China under the China Torch Program.
Tongding mainly specializes in manufacturing and marketing optical fiber, optical and electrical cables, customized optical cables, and electric cables. The company was included in the stock exchange market in 2010.
The company manufactures various products, contributing to its $0.42B revenue. They include:
- Photon crystal fiber cables – The company manufactures these cables for space technology, communication, and biotechnology.
- Dispersion unshifted single-mode optical fiber – Tongding makes these optical fiber cables to boost a company’s optical transmission systems.
- Fiber optic outdoor cabinet and room cable – The company develops these cables for agencies that prefer having a wireless or a wired network in their stations.
This fiber manufacturing company also develops power cables, RF coaxial cables, railway signal cables, and communication copper cables. Additionally, Tongding offers multiple services, such as FTTx solutions, cloud data solutions, 4G full services, and wireless signal services.
#14: Sterlite Technologies Limited – $590 million
Sterlite Technologies Limited is located in Mumbai, India, and has subsidiaries in more than 150 countries, including Italy, Brazil, the US, and the UK. This fiber optic company is one of the best digital network providers of all-in 5G solutions. The company had revenue of $590 million in 2021.
Sterlite Technologies Limited Offers multiple services in the telecommunications industry. First, they provide optical connectivity solutions. The company sells optical products, such as optical fibers, loose tube optical fiber cables, and pre-connected and integrated systems.
Secondly, it offers various fiber deployment services. The company is involved in multiple fiber optics roll-out projects that install fiber optic cables, especially in rural areas.
Thirdly, they offer FTTX Access Network solutions. The company aims to create a multi-gigabit access network to ensure reliable and scalable data transmission.
Lastly, Sterlite Technologies provides network modernization solutions. The company provides wired and wireless connectivity services to other agencies, thus boosting their network infrastructure. They have also partnered with other organizations to help design cloud-native software.
#13: Futong Technology Development Hldgs Ltd. – $616.27 million
Located in Beijing, Futong Technology Development Hldgs Ltd. was founded in 1996. The fiber optic company has branches across China, especially in large cities, such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, but its headquarters are in Beijing.
The Chinese Government included the company in the Hong Kong stock exchange in 2009. Futong Technology mainly deals in the manufacture and supply of fiber optic cables.
However, since its inception, the company has adopted various technologies, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data solutions, to improve its service delivery.
The fiber optic company has customers from all industries, including finance, government, energy, and manufacturing industries.
With cloud computing becoming more prominent today, Futong has become a leading digital service provider in China. They offer multiple services, including strategic consulting, intelligent product delivery, and platform-based solutions.
Futong Technology has other subsidiaries, which include Futong Dongfang, Futong Times, and Futong Cloud. The company’s primary aim is to provide high-quality services and develop innovative products that make them stand out in the market.
#12: Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd. – $1.33 billion
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd. was established in 1988 in Wuhan, China. The company primarily deals with optical fiber cables and other related solutions. The fiber optic company wasn’t included in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange until 2014, despite its longevity in the fiber optics industry.
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd. designs and sells optical fibers and fiber cables worldwide. They also sell customized cables, RF coaxial cables, and other accessories.
The company also sells copper wires and other related services, such as integrated wiring systems and consultation services for installing these copper-wired cables.
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd also sells submarine cables, optical cables, and other power cables used in submarines. They also aid in installing various communication cables used in submarines.
The company designs optical communication equipment and other soft wares used in communication for companies, especially those that require optimized communication systems. Additionally, it aids the research for various medical materials and provides multiple contractual services.
Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd. is a big company in China with an annual revenue of $1.33 billion.
#11: Belden Incorporated – $1.86 billion
Founded in 1902 by Joseph C. Belden, Belden Incorporated has been in the telecommunications industry for over 100 years. The company is located in Missouri, United States, and is one of the best manufacturers of high-speed electronic cables.
The fiber optic company manufactures various types of cables. They include:
- Ethernet cables – Belden’s Ethernet cables provide companies with high-speed internet even during severe weather, making them reliable internet providers.
- Fiber cables – The company develops indoor and outdoor cables fitted in loose tube designs.
- Electronic wires and cables – Belden designs these cables to provide effective communication between an organization’s administration office, other employees, and the plant management staff.
- VFD cables – These cables are designed to withstand high voltage spikes and harsh climatic conditions.
Besides cables, Belden Incorporated also manufactures connectors, such as fiber connectors, fiber adapters, and coaxial connectors. They also develop patch cords and racks, offer cable management services, and provide customized patching solutions.
#10: Fiberhome Telecommunication Technologies Co., Ltd. – $3.67 billion
According to the Ministry of Science and Technology in China, Fiberhome Telecommunication is a public company mainly specializing in optical communication. The company’s primary mission is to boost China’s digital connection.
Fiberhome is mainly an equipment vendor and a solution provider company in the telecommunication industry. They usually sell fiber optic cables and help their clients with installations. This has made Fiberhome one of the best communication systems distributors in the world.
Even from the company’s name, its primary goal is to ensure every home has fast and reliable internet. They will also recommend the best cable alternatives to install. They sell other products to help your home’s internet connectivity, like the MIFON smart router, wireless routers, and the internet set-top box.
This fiber optic company also provides these installation services to companies that require fast and efficient internet.
#9: Fujikura Ltd. – $4.40 billion
Fujikura Ltd. is located in Tokyo and is one of the best telecommunications companies in the world. Zenpachi Fujikura founded the company in 1885. However, the company was initially used to manufacture silk and cotton. It later became an electrical manufacturing company in 1910, and it has grown since its inception, with the company opening subsidiaries worldwide.
Fujikura primarily deals with manufacturing power cables and other telecommunications products, such as optical fibers. However, since the company deals with many products, it has classified its services into various categories. They include:
- Power and telecommunication business – The company manufactures twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, optical fiber cables, slicers, fiber lasers, and eco cables in this category.
- Electronics business – Fujikura develops sensors, electronic wires, and connectors.
- Automotive business – The company manufactures automotive EDS and other automotive components.
Additionally, Fujikura is in the real estate business. They offer developmental services and lease offices to other companies. Ultimately, the fiber optic company has many sources of revenue, and it is no surprise that it made $4.40 billion in 2021.
#8: Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. – $5.55 billion
Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. was founded in 1884 by Furukawa Ichibei as a copper smelting company. However, this Japanese company was later transformed into a telecommunications company that deals with diverse products. The company reported a revenue of $5.55 billion in 2021.
Some of its telecommunications products include optical fiber cables, wiring materials, FTTx products, and other system products. The fiber optic company also provides stable electric power transmissions to its customers. For instance, they manufacture power cables, power distribution items, cable conduit materials, and electric conductors.
Furukawa has also ventured into the automobile and electronics industry. For example, they manufacture various products, such as semiconductor tapes, electronic parts, fluorescent lamps, interior finishing materials for automobiles, connectors, and functional products for cars.
#7: Hengtong Optic-Electric Co., Ltd. – $5.76 billion
Hengtong Optic-Electric Co., Ltd. is an international company that deals with fiber optical communication, EPC turnkey service and maintenance, power transmission, and e-commerce. This company is considered one of China’s largest optical fiber and power cable manufacturers.
Hengtong has multiple holding companies in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Europe, Africa, and South America. It supplies its products to over 150 countries, contributing to its $5.76 billion revenue.
Some of the products manufactured include:
- Power systems – These involve different fiber optics cables, submarine cables, composite cables, and bare overhead conductors.
- Telecom system – Hengtong also deals with integrated cabling systems, such as railway cables, elevator cables, ODNs, and optical transceivers.
- Submarine systems – The company is invested in manufacturing submarine power cables, submarine optical fiber cables, special underwater cables, and transoceanic communication system accessories.
Hengtong also provides products like smart home solutions, which entail installing fiber optic cables to improve your home’s internet connectivity.
#6: Zhongtian Technologies Co., Ltd. – $6.44 billion
Zhongtian Technologies joined the fiber optic communications industry in 1992. This company is Nantong’s biggest manufacturing enterprise and is ranked among the top 500 best manufacturing companies in China.
The company won the China Quality Award and the China Grand Award for manufacturing high-quality products. Since the fiber optic company has a large product line, they have grouped them based on each manufacturing industry. Some of their products include:
- Telecommunication – Zhongtian manufactures products such as optical fiber cables, antennas, coaxial cables, and optical fiber.
- Marine systems – The company develops submarine cables like MV and HVDC, submarine fiber optic cables, and other submarine cable accessories.
Zhongtian has an annual revenue of $6.44 billion, which they generate from selling their telecommunication and marine systems products.
#5: CommScope – $9.23 billion
Founded in 1976 by Frank M. Drendel, CommScope is an American organization in North Carolina. The company primarily deals with network infrastructure products and has hired over 30,000 employees.
The company designs and manufactures many products integral to the telecommunication industry. For example, it develops and manufactures multiple antennas, such as in-building antennas, base station antennas, and microwave antennas.
For the cables, the company deals with fiber optic cables, automotive cables, coaxial cables, and hardline cables. CommScope also provides various solutions like 5G networks, enterprise networks, and broadband networks.
Since its inception, CommScope’s revenue has gradually grown, and the company made $9.23 billion in 2022.
#4: Corning Incorporated – $14.08 billion
Corning Incorporated is one of the largest fiber optic companies in the world. This American company was founded in 1851 and is located in New York. The company is a four-time National Medal of Technology Innovation Champion due to its efforts in manufacturing high-quality products.
Corning is the leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables and other cables used in the telecommunications industry, such as coaxial cables and power cables. They also manufacture glass, including smart glasses and ceramics. Corning is the leading manufacturer of Gorilla Glass, which makes smartphone screens.
In 2021, Corning made $14.08 billion from selling various fiber optic products and glass.
#3: TE Connectivity – $16.02 billion
TE Connectivity was founded in 2007, and its headquarters are in Switzerland. However, the company’s executive section is in the United States. The agency mainly designs and manufactures sensors and connectors for automotive, communication, aerospace, and medical companies.
The company also manufactures multiple products used in the telecommunication industry. They include:
- Antennas -TE Connectivity’s antennas include Bluetooth, cellular, and broadcast antennas.
- Fiber optics – Examples include fiber optic connectors and tools.
- Wires and cables – TE Connectivity develops various cables, such as power cables, sensor cables, multicore cables, and hook-up wires.
#2: Prysmian Spa – $16.06 billion
Prysmian Spa was founded in 2011 and is located in Italy. The company has branches in over 50 countries and has hired more than 29,000 employees.
Prysmian Spa offers the best cable solutions. For example, they provide general cable transmission and distribution services. They also manufacture fiber cables, telecom cables, and copper cables.
The fiber optic company is also involved in the submarine industry as it makes underwater power cables and other products. In 2022, the company made $16.06 billion in revenue, displaying its superiority in the telecommunications market.
#1: Sumitomo Corporation – $51.26 billion
Sumitomo Corporation is the largest fiber optic company in the world since it generated approximately $51.26 billion in revenue in 2023. The company was founded in 1919, and it is located in Japan. Additionally, it has hired over 74,000 employees and operates in approximately 66 countries.
The company provides multiple services to companies in different industries, such as energy, infrastructure, chemical, metal, and construction.
Sumitomo manufactures various products in the telecommunication industry, such as fiber optic cables and other related wires. They are also a solutions provider company involved in multiple ventures such as finance and real estate development.
The 15 Largest Fiber Optic Companies In The World: Summary
| Rank | Company Name | Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sumitomo Corporation | $51.26 billion |
| 2 | Prysmian Spa | $16.06 billion |
| 3 | TE Connectivity | $16.02 billion |
| 4 | Corning Incorporated | $14.08 billion |
| 5 | CommScope | $9.23 billion |
| 6 | Zhongtian Technologies Co., Ltd. | $6.44 billion |
| 7 | Hengtong Optic-Electric Co., Ltd. | $5.76 billion |
| 8 | Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. | $5.55 billion |
| 9 | Fijikura Ltd. | $4.40 billion |
| 10 | Fiberhome Telecommunication Tech. Co., Ltd. | $3.67 billion |
| 11 | Belden Incorporated | $1.86 billion |
| 12 | Yangtze Optical Fiber and Cable JSC Ltd. | $1.33 billion |
| 13 | Futong Technology Development Hldgs Ltd. | $616.27 million |
| 14 | Sterlite Technologies Limited | $590 million |
| 15 | Tongding Interconnection Information Co., Ltd. | $420 million |
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