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Advanced OTDR part of comprehensive hollow core fiber-capable EXFO test solutions portfolio ensuring reliable high speed, low latency interconnect

EXFO Announces Industry’s First Hollow Core Fiber Optimized Bi-directional OTDR Supporting Next-generation Data Center Connectivity

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 30, 2025 — EXFO, the communications industry’s test and measurement experts, today announced availability of the industry’s first hollow core fiber optimized OTDR (optical time domain reflectometer) with bi-directional test capability, ideal for reliable testing of data center interconnect supporting AI applications. This latest innovation in fiber testing from EXFO is just one in a comprehensive portfolio of hollow core fiber-capable test solutions supporting the adoption of hollow core fiber that’s about to revolutionize network performance with higher speeds and greater reliability, all with lower latency.  

“EXFO continues to innovate and set the pace with industry-leading fiber test solutions, and we’re at the forefront of the transition to hollow core fiber,” said Etienne Gagnon, Senior Vice President, Test & Measurement at EXFO. “With our industry-first bi-directional OTDR for hollow core fiber testing and the broad portfolio of test solutions that are hollow core fiber test-capable, interconnected data centers can confidently address AI-driven demand for high speed, highly reliable connectivity with low latency.” 

Hollow core fiber features a hollow vacuum or air-filled central channel rather than the solid glass core at the heart of traditional fiber, enabling the high performance and lower latency ideal for data center interconnect (DCI). It requires optimized methods for measuring loss, return loss, and overall transmission quality, and EXFO’s test solutions meet those demands by combining lab-grade precision with field-ready practicality.  

EXFO’s hollow core fiber optimized OTDR dynamic range is ideal for HCF characterization. In addition, EXFO has developed dedicated uni- and bi-directional analysis software to extract key fiber parameters such as loss, optical return loss (ORL), and length. The adapted analysis also enables splice loss and reflectivity measurements that make this a unique and essential device for hollow core fiber testing.  

EXFO’s comprehensive hollow core fiber-capable portfolio of test solutions also includes: 

  • EXFO’s CTP10 – attenuation profile: Typically used to provide passive optical component test for WDM components and photonic integrated circuits (PICs), the CTP- 
  • 10 can quickly deliver accurate and reproducible spectral loss test results at an ultra-high resolution of 0.01pm.  
  • OSA FTBx-5235 — attenuation profile: Primarily used to characterize CWDM and DWDM networks, the FTBx-5235 can be used in combination with a source to provide the attenuation profile of the HCF in a portable format. 
  •  FTBx-570 Single-ended dispersion analyzer: the industry’s only solution for fast, single-ended chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) testing, valuable in hollow core fiber testing 
  • FTBx-945 modular and MaxTester 945 dedicated optical loss test sets (OLTS) 
  • FTBx-88810 series 1G-800G test solution, equipped with the EtherBERT application: enables precise latency measurements essential for validating the ultra-low delay performance of hollow core fiber, supporting next-generation high-speed, time-sensitive networks. 

As to future test and measurement developments, Gagnon said, “Watch this space as EXFO continues to provide the industry with a clear path to hollow core fiber adoption and network performance transformation.”  

Visit EXFO’s booth #C4329 at ECOC 2025 in Copenhagen, Denmark on now through October 1 to speak with our experts about EXFO’s latest solutions.  

For more about testing hollow core fiber, visit this page.  

About EXFO 

EXFO develops smarter test, monitoring and analytics solutions for the global communications industry. We are trusted advisers to fixed and mobile network operators, hyperscalers and leaders in the manufacturing, development and research sector. They count on us to deliver superior visibility and insights into network performance, service reliability and user experience. Building on 40 years of innovation, EXFO’s unique blend of equipment, software and services enable faster, more confident transformations related to 5G, cloud-native and fiber optic networks. 

For information:

Shelley Grandy for EXFO 

Email:  shelley.grandy@exfo.com