Show t II OVER tIC S A rapidly developing market for an n emerging communication com corn medium called optical communications will be unfolding by the early This new technology which uses light to transmit In im in formation has incorporated an especially designed fiber optics cable cable- along cable along with lasers or electronic components to convert electrical signals into light waves and then switch these light waves back to electrical signals The optical fibers which are arc enmeshed in cable form are hair thin hair thin solid but flexible glass filaments capable of or carrying enormous amounts of information for several miles EF EFFICIENCIES TO OUT V OUTWEIGH COSTS There are still the important details of cost and amI the need to use expensive connectors to protect the fragile fibers from damage These the problems-the chief disadvantages are being worked on on and companies active in this technology are confident they will be solved by volume production and greater availability of the necessary connectors for long distances Despite the cost factors the advantages of fiber optics optics- more information carrying capability more speed immunity immunity immunity im im- im- im to signal noises reduction in size and amount of cabling lack of sparking hazard and more security of information should control outweigh those of communication communication com com- via electronic systems in many present and oncoming applications The Research Department of Babson's Reports feels that computer and industrial applications applications applications ap ap- ap- ap of fiber optics could be c valuable in a few years TERM NEAU U 1 AND FUTURE MARKET APPLICATIONS Because fiber optics cable has a larger information information- carrying capacity and efficiency efficiency ef ef- ef speed than el electronics eke elec c. c cable computer and telephone companies have designed fiber optics systems for trial runs in key in in- in installations ions American Telephone and Telegraph and International Business Machines MachinE's for example are arc among some of oC the major companies using pilot systems for communications Thousands of telephone calls will be able to flow through these optical fibers and computers will be exchanging information with wilh each other over thousands of miles Other emerging commercial and industrial satellite ground stations markets are arc in nuclear accelerators electric power generation and transmission and medical electronics Future applications range from use in controlling industrial processes facsimile sj stems systems picture-phone picture calling to making way for unlimited television channels and cable television Ind Industry stry experts believe that the market for fiber optics systems could grow from the estimated 1 million in 1975 to million by 1980 and to over million by 1990 A 1 16 6 hellion world market has been projected pl by the end of this PRINCIPAL I. COMPANIES M NI I ru RECOMMENDATIONS There ar are several major majur and small firms active in fiber optics s. s Producers of the cable lable include AtT Corning Gla Glass s. s DuPont DuPant General Cable Oen General ral Telephone IBM and ami ITT Large targe companies providing the light sources include Fairchild Camera and Instrument General Gener 1 Electric ITT lIT M Monsanto santo and RCA UCA Among smaller firms are Gam Galileo t o Optics Fiber Communications Fiber Optic Cable and except lor the latter tatter these are private con companies VJ tales The n Research Department of Babson's Reports is ts now advising advising ad ad- purchase of the common stock of Corning Glass Works for far depth in-depth representation In m fiber optics It has emen emerged oo as as leading factor in the field held O GB GE and IBM are also alsom meaningfully m nin engaged m ItI optic tiC fibers and we are alre already advising purchase of their common stocks f for r par pal in to their dominant and growing specialties oi tit u elect C. C ecal and computers computer ic liV ly For Fill tree lice t opus opu's ol tit tin n nan an any in or 01 all of ot these c truee mm om- om pates paints you ou ma mil may 0 wrote nIt to 10 |