VIAVI Announces Industry's First Long-Range Hollow Core Fiber Bidirectional Testing and Certification Solution

Rhea-AI Summary

VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) on Jan. 6, 2026 announced the industry's first all-in-one medium- and long-range bidirectional testing and certification solution for hollow core fiber (HCF). The offering integrates 8100 Series OTDR modules, optical dispersion measurement modules and ReportPRO software with HCF-specific algorithms to perform bidirectional OTDR, PMD, CD and attenuation profiling.

The solution was validated in trials with fiber manufacturers, specialist contractors and three leading hyperscalers, and is positioned for short-, medium- and long-haul HCF links including DNANF and PBG types.

Positive

• Validated in trials with three leading hyperscalers
• All-in-one testing for bidirectional OTDR, PMD, CD and AP
• Supports long-range HCF including DNANF and PBG types
• Non-OTDR dispersion testing for extended distance performance

Negative

• HCF projects require larger investments and more complex testing

Key Figures

Latency reduction up to 30% lower Hollow core fiber vs single mode fiber

Chromatic Dispersion reduction up to 70% reduced CD Hollow core fiber vs single mode fiber

Attenuation reduction up to 65% lower attenuation Hollow core fiber vs single mode fiber

Hyperscaler trials three hyperscalers Validation trials for HCF bidirectional test solution

Market Reality Check

$18.58 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,040,664 vs 20-day average 3,363,754 (relative volume 0.9) normal

Technical Price 18.11 is trading above 200-day MA at 12.32, well off the 8.10 52-week low and below the 19.76 high.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed but mostly positive moves: EXTR +0.24%, ONDS +10.77%, COMM +1.61%, VSAT +1.29%, while BDC declined -0.31%. No momentum scanner signals or same-day peer news were flagged.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 16	Debt exchange	Negative	-3.4%	Convertible note-for-share exchange to reduce 2026 notes and term loan.
Dec 04	Security partnership	Positive	-0.0%	Strategic partnership to advance quantum-safe network security testing.
Nov 19	Gov’t award	Positive	-2.6%	U.S. DOT award to advance CPNT for critical infrastructure timing.
Nov 06	Open RAN testbeds	Positive	+0.6%	Partnership with Calnex to provide Open RAN pre-certification testbeds.
Nov 04	EW challenge win	Positive	-4.5%	First-place win for T/Rx transceiver in EW Battlefield Realism challenge.

Pattern Detected

Recent product, partnership, and award announcements often saw flat-to-negative next-day moves, while the debt-for-equity exchange aligned with a negative reaction.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, VIAVI reported several strategic and technical milestones. On Nov 4, 2025, its T/Rx transceiver won first place in a U.S. electronic warfare challenge. Subsequent news highlighted Open RAN testbeds on Nov 6, a U.S. Department of Transportation CPNT award on Nov 19, and a quantum-safe networking partnership with QNu Labs on Dec 4. On Dec 16, VIAVI executed a $103.463 million convertible notes share exchange aimed at reducing debt. Today’s HCF testing launch continues this focus on advanced networking and infrastructure solutions.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-08-11

An automatic shelf registration on Aug 11, 2025 (Form S-3ASR) allows VIAVI to issue various securities, including equity and debt, for general corporate purposes. The shelf is effective through Aug 11, 2028 with 0 recorded takedowns so far, indicating available financing flexibility without disclosed usage yet.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights VIAVI’s move into comprehensive testing and certification for hollow core fiber, targeting hyperscalers and other latency-sensitive applications. It follows recent initiatives in Open RAN, CPNT, and quantum-safe networking, reinforcing a focus on advanced communications infrastructure. Investors may watch adoption by large data center and telecom customers, as well as any future securities issuance under the existing shelf registration for funding growth.

Key Terms

hollow core fiber technical

"all-in-one medium and long-range bidirectional testing and certification solution for hollow core fiber (HCF)."

Hollow core fiber is a type of light-guiding cable where the center is mostly air rather than solid glass, so light travels through a hollow tube much like a bullet through a barrel. It can carry signals faster, with less signal loss and lower heating than conventional solid-core fiber, which matters to investors because it can reduce operating costs, enable lower-latency and higher-capacity networks, and open new markets in telecom, data centers, and sensing.

otdr technical

"algorithms for OTDR, dispersion testing and attenuation profiling"

An OTDR (Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer) is a handheld or rack-mounted instrument that tests fiber-optic cables by sending light pulses down the cable and measuring reflections to map length, signal loss, and faults—think of it as an ultrasound or sonar for fiber networks. For investors, OTDR use signals the health and maintainability of telecommunications infrastructure, affecting capital spending, service reliability, repair costs and the pace of network expansion.

chromatic dispersion technical

"up to 70% reduced Chromatic Dispersion (CD), up to 65% lower attenuation"

Chromatic dispersion is the tendency of different colors (wavelengths) of light to travel at slightly different speeds through an optical fiber, which causes pulses to spread out and blur over distance—similar to runners starting together but finishing at different times. For investors, it matters because dispersion limits how fast and how far fiber networks can reliably transmit data, influencing equipment specs, maintenance or upgrade costs, service quality and a company’s competitiveness in telecom and data-center markets.

attenuation technical

"up to 70% reduced Chromatic Dispersion (CD), up to 65% lower attenuation"

Attenuation is the reduction or weakening of something’s strength or effect over time or distance, such as a drug’s potency, a virus’s ability to cause disease, a signal’s clarity, or the impact of a business trend. For investors, attenuation matters because a smaller or waning effect can change a company’s future revenue, regulatory risk, or the value of an asset—think of it like turning down a volume knob: lower strength usually means less financial impact or lower urgency for action.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Proven platform implements proprietary HCF-specific algorithms for OTDR, dispersion testing and attenuation profiling
• Solution has been validated in trials with three leading hyperscalers

CHANDLER, Ariz., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VIAVI Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) has announced the industry's first all-in-one medium and long-range bidirectional testing and certification solution for hollow core fiber (HCF). The offering implements VIAVI's advanced 8100 Series OTDR modules, optical dispersion measurement (ODM) modules and ReportPRO software, which includes specific algorithms capable of performing the bidirectional OTDR analysis required for hollow core fibers.

The efficacy of the solution has been tested and proven through validation trials in partnership with fiber manufacturers, specialist contractors and three leading hyperscalers.

Compared to single mode fiber, hollow core fiber enables up to 30% lower latency, up to 70% reduced Chromatic Dispersion (CD), up to 65% lower attenuation and reduced signal distortion. This enables faster data transmission over increased distances without the need for amplification and minimal data errors/losses.

Hollow core fiber technology is being increasingly adopted for data center interconnect between hyperscale campuses for AI, high-frequency financial trading, quantum communication, defense and other applications where substantial operational and service performance improvements can be achieved by its use.

Hollow core fiber projects require larger investments and an expansive range of tests due to increased manufacturing and specialist contractor deployment costs and differing optical properties such as backscattering and spectral range. In addition to bidirectional OTDR measurements at higher wavelengths, dispersion testing and attenuation profile (AP) are needed to confirm correct installation to protect investments and ensure future performance, particularly over medium- and long-haul links. Few testing and certification options exist, and those without the necessary OTDR performance or those that use OTDR-based dispersion test techniques may only being capable of testing shorter distances.

VIAVI's solution is the first all-in-one certification solution capable of bidirectional OTDR, PMD, CD and AP testing and reporting for hollow core fiber links. Thanks to industry-leading OTDR dynamic range performance and non-OTDR based dispersion testing, it is suitable for all types of hollow core fiber including DNANF and PBG over short-, medium- and long-distance links. These solutions are hosted on VIAVI's OneAdvisor 800 Fiber platform.

"A key advantage of hollow core fiber is that it transmits data faster over longer distances. However, testing for splice quality, connector losses and fiber integrity requires a different approach with higher-performance test solutions," said Kevin Oliver, Vice President and General Manager, Fiber and Access Solutions, VIAVI. "VIAVI's all-in-one offering has delivered strong results over short-, mid- and long-distance links in trials we've held in collaboration with leading fiber manufacturers and hyperscalers, allowing them to protect these larger investments in HCF and ensure future ROI."

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Media Inquiries:
Grand Bridges
Emma Jenkins
emma@grandbridges.com
+1 415 800 4529

 

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SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What did VIAVI announce about hollow core fiber testing on Jan. 6, 2026?

VIAVI announced an all-in-one medium- and long-range bidirectional testing and certification solution for hollow core fiber (HCF).

Does the VIAVI solution support long-distance HCF links (VIAV)?

Yes. The solution supports short-, medium- and long-haul HCF links, including DNANF and PBG types.

Which VIAVI modules and software are included in the HCF certification solution?

The offering integrates 8100 Series OTDR modules, optical dispersion measurement modules and ReportPRO software with HCF-specific algorithms.

Was VIAVI's HCF testing solution validated with customers or partners?

Yes. The solution was validated in trials with fiber manufacturers, specialist contractors and three leading hyperscalers.

What key HCF performance benefits are cited that the VIAVI solution addresses?

HCF enables up to 30% lower latency, up to 70% reduced chromatic dispersion, and up to 65% lower attenuation; VIAVI's tests verify these properties.

What installation risks does VIAVI say its HCF tester helps mitigate for investors and operators (VIAV)?

The solution performs bidirectional OTDR, dispersion and attenuation profiling to confirm splice quality, connector losses and fiber integrity, protecting larger HCF investments.