Optical Cable Corporation (OCC), a veteran U.S. manufacturer of fiber optic and copper cabling solutions, has announced a new strategic collaboration with Lightera, previously OFS Fitel. The partnership aims to expand offerings for enterprise and data center customers by combining portions of both companies’ portfolios into integrated cabling and connectivity systems to be sold by OCC. The deal deepens a decades-long relationship between the two companies, which have collaborated in various capacities over the years.
As part of the agreement, Lightera has purchased a 7.24% equity stake in OCC. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, Lightera is part of the Furukawa Electric Group and provides optical fiber and connectivity technologies for a wide range of applications, including telecommunications, AI, sensing, and 5G/6G infrastructure. The company brings extensive design and manufacturing capabilities and sees the partnership as a way to grow its footprint in passive optical LAN and modern data center environments. OCC, founded in 1983 and based in Roanoke, Virginia, supplies cabling systems for commercial, industrial, and military use cases.
The companies will jointly target growing demand for integrated, high-performance network infrastructure across data centers and enterprise campuses. By combining OCC’s ruggedized connectivity products with Lightera’s advanced optical technology, the alliance positions both firms to better compete in high-growth segments driven by AI, cloud, and next-gen telecom networks.
• OCC manufactures fiber and copper cabling for enterprise, military, and industrial markets
• Lightera delivers optical fiber and connectivity solutions for global telecom and AI infrastructure
• Strategic partnership expands both firms’ offerings in the data center and enterprise sectors
• Lightera acquires 7.24% of OCC’s outstanding shares as part of the collaboration
• Joint solutions to be sold through OCC’s sales channels
“We recognize the importance of this strategic joint effort with OCC and the potential opportunities it brings to expand Lightera’s presence in the data center and enterprise Passive Optical LAN sectors,” said Foad Shaikhzadeh, Chairman and CEO of Lightera.
