Fiber-based enterprise networks are the target market for a new air-blown fiber system from Sumitomo Electric Lightwave announced at NXTcomm today. The new system builds on similar products that the company has offered for several years under the FutureFLEX Air-Blown Fiber name, which are aimed at simplifying the fiber installation process.

The new product, like earlier offerings, uses a tube-like structure that is “installed much like inter-duct,” said Kurt Templeman, product manager for Sumitomo. “After it’s installed, you can blow in fiber bundles at the rate of 100 to 150 feet per minute with only two installers.” Without FutureFLEX, Templeman said, the same job would require four to five installers and would take substantially longer.

Whereas previous FutureFLEX systems were tailored to use with specific types of fiber, including various types of multi-mode and single-mode fiber, the system introduced today uses a hybrid approach that enables it to handle up to three different types of fiber.