Fiber Focus is the podcast from Sumitomo Electric Lightwave that explores the technology, tools, and techniques behind modern fiber optic networks. From product innovations to practical insights for data center and on-prem environments, each episode helps industry professionals stay connected to what matters most.
As market demands accelerate data center construction timelines, more and more of the work that once took place on-site is moving to the factory. Senior Manager Product Development and Technical Resources, Greg Pierce returns to Fiber Focus to explain why and what this trend means for the people who build and maintain networks.
Greg walks through the tradeoffs between pre-connectorized solutions and field splicing, and why very small form factor connectors are tipping the balance toward factory-built solutions. He also brings in a splice cassette for a bit of show-and-tell, breaking down how cassettes segment a dense panel into smaller, protected groups of fibers – simplifying troubleshooting and adding a layer of strain relief.
It all comes back to a simple idea: in a world that runs on fiber, safeguarding that infrastructure is everything.
Tune in to the conversation to learn more and join us in Booth G1317 at SCTE TechExpo, from September 29 to October 1, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave), share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sumitomo-electric-lightwave/) and X (https://twitter.com/SEL_FiberOptics).
Episode Links
Cable Assemblies: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product/cable-assemblies (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product/cable-assemblies)
Cassettes & Interconnect Panels: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/data-center-solutions (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/data-center-solutions)
AI-Ready Connectors: https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/ai-ready-connectors-for-facilities-of-any-size (https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/ai-ready-connectors-for-facilities-of-any-size)
SCTE TechExpo 2026: https://techexpo.scte.org (https://techexpo.scte.org)
Greg on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pierce-4b977b10 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-pierce-4b977b10/)
Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly (http://www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly)
Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave)
25 Aug 2026
Walk the Path: Designing Air-Blown Fiber Routes That Perform
First-time Fiber Focus guest Javier Oñate is an applications engineer with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave who’s passionate about bridging the gap between complex technical solutions and real-world applications. In this episode, he explains why the success of an air-blown fiber installation is decided before fiber bundles even arrive on-site.
Javier comes to the table with recommendations for network operators to set themselves up for ABF success. His suggestions include keeping runs as straight and level as possible, easing into gentle, sweeping curves instead of sharp bends, placing access points where people can actually reach them, and "walking the path" with the drawing in hand before blowing in fibers.
Tune in to the conversation to learn more and stay to the end for a preview of what's next in blowing equipment. We will have a live demonstration of FutureFLEX® Air-Blown Fiber® in Booth 901 at BICSI Beyond 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada, from August 30 to September 2.
Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave), share this episode, and follow Sumitomo Electric Lightwave on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sumitomo-electric-lightwave/) and X (https://twitter.com/SEL_FiberOptics).
Episode Links
FutureFLEX® Air-Blown Fiber®: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/futureflex-air-blown-fiber-solutions (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/product-category/futureflex-air-blown-fiber-solutions)
BICSI Beyond 2026: www.bicsi.org/conferences-and-events/bicsi-events/conference-and-exhibitions (https://www.bicsi.org/conferences-and-events/bicsi-events/conference-and-exhibitions)
Javier on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/javieronate22 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/javieronate22/)
Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly (http://www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly)
Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave)
10 Aug 2026
What Happens Between the Factory and the Job Site
In data center builds where there is essentially no room for error, packaging is what protects your investment against the realities of shipping and handling as products move from the manufacturer’s facility to the field.
Josh Seawell, director of product management for Sumitomo Electric Lightwave, appears on this episode of Fiber Focus to explain why careful attention to packaging and shipping specifications can save significant time and money.
He breaks down the conversation that every data center operator, designer, contractor, and vendor should be having up front, and he shares practical insights on collaboration, verification, and why bringing all stakeholders together early can keep a project on schedule and within budget.
Tune in to this conversation to learn more, and if you are planning to attend ISE Expo next week in Nashville, Tennessee, visit us in Booth 1207.
Fiber Focus is a Sumitomo Electric Lightwave podcast. Subscribe (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave), share this episode,
and follow along on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sumitomo-electric-lightwave/) and X (https://twitter.com/SEL_FiberOptics).
Episode Links
Plan First, Build Faster: https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/plan-first-build-faster (https://blog.sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/plan-first-build-faster)
ISE Expo: https://www.iseexpo.com/2026/home (https://www.iseexpo.com/2026/home)
Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-seawell-09770979 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-seawell-09770979)
Meredyth on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly (http://www.linkedin.com/in/meredythneilly)
Connect with Sumitomo Electric Lightwave
Website: https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com (https://sumitomoelectriclightwave.com/)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave (https://www.youtube.com/@sumitomoelectriclightwave)
Who has been a guest on Fiber Focus
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Greg Pierce
Loren Rapp
Josh Seawell
Yuko Agano
Andrew Degidio
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Fiber Focus
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Fiber Focus
Who hosts Fiber Focus?
Meredyth Neilly host the show. Published by Sumitomo Electric Lightwave.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Fiber Focus take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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