Corning Announces Availability of USB 3.Optical Cables

By Steven Mu
published

More than just Gorilla Glass.

Corning has revealed its newest product, the USB 3.Optical cable capable of transferring data up to 5 gigabits/second over distances of 30 meters.  While comparable copper cables transfer speeds slow down after 3 meters, the USB 3.Optical speeds stay strong.  Compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, these cables are longer, 80% lighter, and 50% thinner than similar copper cables. 

"With longer, thinner, and lighter cables, USB 3.Optical Cables by Corning give users the freedom to max out data connection speeds for a more enjoyable creative workflow," said Bernhard Deutsch, vice president, product line management, Optical Connectivity Solutions for Corning Optical Communications.

The USB 3.Optical cables come with “A-to-A” receptacle connectors for use with multiple device form factors.  These cables are not just for the individual users, they are ideal for all types of businesses. 

Currently available in lengths of 10 meters, Corning will also be releasing USB 3.Optical cables of 15 and 30 meters later this year.  These cables can be purchased online at Amazon and Accu-Tech.

A little pricey at $109.99 online, these optical high-speed cables are ideal for all data transfer applications.

Steven Mu
24 Comments Comment from the forums
  • zhunt99
    It weighs 1/5th of a normal USB 3.0 cable at only 20x the price!
    Reply
  • fleeb
    Somebody does not understand economics.
    Reply
  • knowom
    Wonder how quick these would be at 3 meters for a crossover cable granted they'd still be expensive at like $40's a cable approximately.
    Reply
  • BoredSysAdmin
    How many true usb 3.0 10m/30ft cables you've seen sold ? (besides this one)
    Corning knows they have a monopoly (at least for now) and price reflects it
    Reply
  • edogawa
    This is cool and all, but who who cares if a USB cable is lighter, and for that price I'd rather wait a few minutes with the slower transfer speed.
    Reply
  • Shankovich
    Oh come on guys the price of fibre optic audio cables is like $10 for a 3 footer. I'm sure the signal converter hardware isn't that expensive either. Way to take advantage of being first.
    Reply
  • getochkn
    Oh come on guys the price of fibre optic audio cables is like $10 for a 3 footer. I'm sure the signal converter hardware isn't that expensive either. Way to take advantage of being first.

    This cable is 10m, which is 30 feet, so at your pricing, 30 feet equals 10x$10 cable, $100 and they are charging $109. Doesn't seem to be taking advantage of anything.


    This is cool and all, but who who cares if a USB cable is lighter, and for that price I'd rather wait a few minutes with the slower transfer speed.

    It's not about speed, it's about length. Copper cables start to slow down at 3m, this one is 10m and going up to 30m. You can't have a 90 foot USB 3.0 copper cable, period. This serves a purpose for people that need to plug in devices far away from the computer.

    Somebody does not understand economics.
    Why because they are creating a product that copper cable can't fill? It's a 30 foot optical cable.
    Reply
  • dragonsqrrl
    It weighs 1/5th of a normal USB 3.0 cable at only 20x the price!
    Err, not really. It's a 10m cable, good luck finding a standard copper version of that. And when you actually compare the price per m with existing USB 3 cables you're really not paying that much more, definitely nowhere near 20x.

    The only real drawback I can see with optical USB 3 is it can't carry power, but I don't think that's much of a concern for the types of applications this cable would be used in.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    13119480 said:
    Wonder how quick these would be at 3 meters for a crossover cable granted they'd still be expensive at like $40's a cable approximately.
    Those cables have integrated USB3/USB2 bridges in their plugs to cram everything into (probably) a single fiber. You won't be getting any better speeds with shorter cables.

    What sort of bandwidth the fiber itself can handle depends on what Corning actually chose to use in those. Since 100GBase-SR4 can do 25Gbps per multi-mode fiber over 100m, speeds in the neighborhood of 500Gbps would probably be possible at 3m if there was a cost-effective and efficient way of modulating light that fast.
    Reply
  • edogawa
    @getochkn

    It is about speed though, speed at long cable distances so you do not start getting transfer speed degradation.

    For 110 dollars it's a waste of money when you can buy a 10 meter USB extension cable with a Power Amplifier AC Adapter for only 60 dollars or less.

    Who is actually using USB for transferring data at large distances like that anyway with you can use Ethernet or other methods. I would definitely buy these if the price was more reasonable, but USB heads are a few bucks, a 35 foot optical cable is like 10-15, and whatever other parts they needed for the cable couldn't have been that much more.
    Reply