Is the Quality of Chinese Fiber Optic Products Low?

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We frequently hear bad things about
fiber optic products from China. It has become a trend to abuse Chinese
quality. Here I am not going to justify the low-quality fiber optic
products coming out of China. Of course, I know there are low-quality
Chinese products. Are all the products coming out of China low in quality? Why
there is a huge cry against Chinese quality?

 

It may be partially true in the case of
commodity products, but is it possible to deliver low quality fiber optic
products to the customers and survive in the market? I think it is almost
impossible for a supplier to deliver low quality fiber optic products to
dispatch to the customer and force him to use in the network. Fiber optic
networks are tested to meet transmission requirements as per international
standards. The products used in the fiber optic network need to possess certain
minimum characteristics in order to carry optical signals. If a network
component fails to carry optical signals, that can not be used in the network.

 

Characteristics of both active and
passive components are well defined and documented in international
specifications such as ITU-T and IEEE. Network builders refer these
specifications and build their networks based on these standards. A network
except for some local area networks, can not stand alone. It somehow becomes
part of a bigger network and must communicate with the outside network, which
we can call the global network. And as we know, networks must follow certain
protocols. If a network component can do the job well as per the defined
standards and protocols, we say it is compatible. This compatibility is the
minimum quality that is required for the component.

 

Now, I don’t think that any of the
network operators, system integrators or contractors will choose a component
that is not compatible with their network. When choosing compatible components
one of his/her primary concern will be to reduce the cost of purchase. That is
the duty of a good procurement team. Supplier’s intention would be to get more
price to his product while the buyer’s intention would be to get a low-cost
product. Buyer’s technical team should find a balance between quality and
product cost. Considering technical requirements, compatibility, and cost, they
decide the vendors. In this process, how a low-quality fiber optic network
product supplier can win the supply contract?

 

Presence of plenty of manufacturers
especially from China is one of the reasons for the availability of low-cost
products. ‘Low Cost’ does not necessarily mean ‘Low Cost’. Low cost is the
result of competition in the market and product manufacturing cost, which
includes manpower costs. Low waged labor does not mean low quality and highly
paid workers does not guarantee high-quality products. Mass production
facilities and low wages are some of the major reasons for low-cost Chinese
fiber optic products.

 

We need to understand the reason behind
the cry against Chinese quality. There must be a vested interest group to stamp
Chinese fiber optic products with the label of ‘Low quality’. They will be the
beneficiaries if customers stop buying Chinese fiber optic products.