Corning SMF-28 Bare Optical Fiber
The original Corning single-mode fiber and the product that established the G.652 standard. SMF-28 is still in the ground in hundreds of thousands of kilometers of installed plant, and it remains what many legacy drawings and splice records call out by name.
- ITU-T standard
- G.652.A / G.652.B
- Mode field diameter
- 9.2 ± 0.4 µm @ 1310 nm
- Cladding diameter
- 125.0 ± 0.7 µm
- Coating diameter
- 242 ± 5 µm (dual acrylate)
SMF-28 is a straight ITU-T G.652.A/B single-mode fiber with no water-peak suppression. Attenuation runs 0.35 dB/km or better at 1310 nm and 0.25 dB/km or better at 1550 nm. The 1383 nm water-peak region is present and lossy on this fiber, which means it is not suitable for E-band or CWDM systems using wavelengths in the 1360-1460 nm range. For those applications the SMF-28e or SMF-28e+ is the correct choice.
Where SMF-28 is irreplaceable is in legacy-matching work. If your plant records specify SMF-28, or if you are splicing into an installed span and need a spool that matches the mode field diameter exactly, we supply SMF-28 rather than substituting a modern G.652.D fiber and hoping the splice loss is acceptable. The 9.2 µm mode field diameter is shared across the SMF-28 family, so mechanical splice attenuation is typically below 0.1 dB, but fusion splice performance and reflection characteristics can differ when the fiber glass composition changes.
Corning stopped manufacturing SMF-28 as a current product decades ago, but it remains available through certified channel stock. Tell us the length and any connector requirements and we will confirm availability and lead time before you commit.
Specifications
| ITU-T standard | G.652.A / G.652.B |
|---|---|
| Mode field diameter | 9.2 ± 0.4 µm @ 1310 nm |
| Cladding diameter | 125.0 ± 0.7 µm |
| Coating diameter | 242 ± 5 µm (dual acrylate) |
| Attenuation @ 1310 nm | ≤ 0.35 dB/km |
| Attenuation @ 1550 nm | ≤ 0.25 dB/km |
| Cable cutoff wavelength | ≤ 1260 nm |
| Water peak (1383 nm) | Present — not suppressed |
Typical Applications
- Legacy plant matching and mid-span splicing into installed SMF-28 spans
- Restoration fiber for older carrier outside plant
- Test spools for dispersion and attenuation bench work
- Applications at 1310 nm and 1550 nm only (no E-band)
Why Order Corning Fiber from Aumictech?
We source directly from the Corning authorized channel. Every spool ships with documentation, including reel ID and fiber code.
0.5 km to 1,000 km on a single order. Mix lengths across spools. Choose FC, SC, or LC connectors per spool end, or leave ends bare.
Certificate of compliance and OTDR test data available on request. Required for carrier acceptance testing and network documentation.
Continental US next-day and two-day air available. International shipping on request. Most orders confirmed within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Corning SMF-28 still manufactured?
Corning replaced SMF-28 with SMF-28e and later SMF-28e+ decades ago. It is no longer a current production item but remains available through certified channel stock. We confirm availability before taking any order.
Can SMF-28 be spliced to SMF-28e+?
Yes. Both have a 9.2 µm mode field diameter at 1310 nm and the same 125 µm cladding, so fusion splice loss is typically below 0.1 dB. The glass composition is different, which affects back-reflection slightly, but for most system work the splice performs as if the fiber were continuous.
What wavelengths can SMF-28 carry?
SMF-28 is usable at 1310 nm and 1550 nm (the O-band and C-band). The E-band (1360-1460 nm) is blocked by the water peak, which runs above 2 dB/km at 1383 nm on this fiber. Do not use it for CWDM systems unless all channels are outside that range.