EXFO Launches USO-1618 to Speed Submarine Cable Fault Localization

23 September 2026
Edited By: Haley McQueen

EXFO, the communications industry's test and measurement experts, has announced the USO-1618 submarine optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), the first and fastest co-propagation OTDR (C-OTDR) for amplified subsea cables. By locating faults in three minutes per fiber pair, this test device helps operators coordinate repairs faster amid limited repair-vessel availability, costly repair delays, and growing geopolitical concerns that are putting submarine infrastructure security and network resilience under greater scrutiny.

(Image credit: EXFO)

EXFO’s USO-1618 will be demonstrated at Submarine Networks World 2026 (EXFO booth H11).

“When a submarine cable fault occurs, the race for scarce repair resources begins,” said Étienne Gagnon, Senior Vice President & General Manager, T&M Division at EXFO. “EXFO’s USO-1618 OTDR challenges the assumption that high-confidence fault localization requires hours or days. With faster testing and automated analysis, operators can locate faults in minutes, make critical decisions, and coordinate repairs sooner.”

Be First to Call the Repair Vessel

Approximately 200 submarine cable faults occur each year, competing for a limited pool of about 25 dedicated repair vessels serving the needs of hundreds of thousands of kilometers of undersea cables worldwide. Cable repair operations can cost up to $1 million per day, and it takes, on average, 90 days from fault detection to the start of a repair. On amplified submarine cables—which use repeaters equipped with optical amplifiers to extend signal reach across long distances—conventional OTDR testing can take up to six hours per fiber pair, delaying repair decisions and service restoration.

EXFO’s USO-1618 OTDR locates faults in three minutes per fiber pair. High output power and best-in-class acquisition deliver a dynamic range of 18 dB across amplified submarine topologies, speeding up the testing process. In the case of a 24-pair amplified submarine cable, validation can be completed in approximately one hour instead of several days—helping operators assess damage and coordinate repairs sooner.

Faster Testing and Added Value:

Pinpoint faults with a resolution of approx. 5 meters: The industry’s highest output power delivers clearer traces and stronger signal quality for confident decisions.
Simplify testing from setup to results: Supervisors can define approved testing methodologies, parameters, and thresholds in advance. Automated analysis reveals fault locations, while icon-based link view eliminates the need for manual trace interpretation. JSON input and output, and REST API control simplify integration with customer cable-management systems.
One platform from landing station to repair vessel: One platform for rackmount or portable use. The 2U form factor saves landing-station space, while the portable setup supports testing anywhere.
Confidence across the cable lifecycle: The USO-1618 supports deployment, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and post-repair validation—from as-built characterization and activation readiness to fault localization and repair confirmation.

Meet EXFO at Submarine Networks World

Visit EXFO at Submarine Networks World 2026 in Singapore, September 23–24, at booth H11 to see the USO-1618 in action.

On September 24 at 2:20 p.m. at the event, EXFO’s Technical Sales Lead Gwenn Amice will present the next generation of submarine cable testing for hyperscalers’ scale and the age of AI.