JILONG: Catchingup with Imports and Breaking New Ground — How Jilong Communications Elevates the Performance of Domestic-made Fusion Splicers & OTDRs

I. Introduction: Evolving Market Demands & the Wave of Domestic Substitution

The large-scale roll-out of 5G networks, rapid adoption of gigabit-capable optical broadband, and national initiatives such as the East-Data-West-Computing project have driven China’s fiber-optic communication networks to shift from broad-scale coverage toward high-quality operation. As two core devices for network construction and maintenance, fiber fusion splicers and Optical Time-Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs) face rising requirements for precision, working efficiency, intelligence and field reliability.

For decades, the high-end long-haul segment of fusion splicer and OTDR markets has been dominated by Japanese brands such as Fujikura, Sumitomo, as well as Canada-based EXFO. Domestic products once lagged behind international leaders in key specifications and brand recognition. Nevertheless, long-established Chinese manufacturers represented by Nanjing Jilong have narrowed the performance gap through continuous R&D and product iteration, emerging as a major force in the domestic-substitution movement.

II. Brand Heritage: From the KL-100 to National Standard Setting — Backbone of China’s Fiber-Optic Industry

1. Breaking monopolies: Ground-breaking “zero-to-one” innovation

In the early 1990s, imported brands completely controlled China’s fusion-splicer market. Units sold for as high as 45,000-60, 000 USD, with difficult maintenance and heavy reliance on overseas suppliers for core technologies and spare parts. Founded in 1993 under the former name Kelong Communication Technology, Nanjing Jilong developed the KL-100, China’s first fully indigenous fusion splicer. Priced at only half of competing imported models, it opened the door for domestic fusion-splicer independent R&D.

The KL-100 marked China’s landmark breakthrough in core fiber-optic communication equipment and supported backbone network deployment across railway, power utility and telecom sectors. Nanjing Jilong Communication was formally established in 1996, ending China’s long-term dependence on imported fusion splicers. In 2000, Jilong revolutionized product form-factor by launching the vertical-format KL-200 — a milestone design that became the prototype for modern-day domestic fusion splicers.

2. Open-source innovation empowering the whole industry

Over more than 30 years, Jilong has not only advanced its own product portfolio but also licensed multiple core invention patents to the broader industry, fueling the flourishing growth of China’s fusion-splicer sector. Today Jilong holds more than 100 patents covering core technologies for both fusion splicers and OTDRs — one of the highest patent portfolios among domestic peers.

3. Co-drafting national standards to shape industry benchmarks

In 2019, Jilong Communications served as a key participant in drafting GB/T 17570-2019, the General Specification for Fiber Fusion Splicers, China’s national standard for fusion splicers.

4. Certifications & Milestones

· Recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise in 2011 (unique among domestic fusion-splicer manufacturers for this national-level accreditation).

· A 14 ,000 square meters modern manufacturing park went into operation in 2012.

· Became China’s first publicly-listed fusion-splicer manufacturer in 2015 (delisted in 2020).

· The “JILONG” trademark was awarded Jiangsu Provincial Famous Trademark status in 2016.

· Products carry international certifications including CE and RoHS, and have been featured on China Central Television (CCTV).

III. Fusion-Splicer Product Portfolio: Full-scenario coverage, flagship long-haul models matching import-grade performance

Jilong’s fusion-splicer lineup addresses applications ranging from FTTx home deployment and security surveillance all the way to metro and national long-haul trunk networks.

300T — 6-motor long-haul Fusion Splicer, Flagship Rival to Premium Imports

Launched in 2025 as Jilong’s 10th-generation flagship unit, the 300T is purpose-built for  ultra-low-loss fiber and long-haul transmission projects.

· Core performance: 6-motor core-alignment system delivers stable low-loss splicing for  fiber, matching key performance metrics of premium long-haul splicers from Fujikura and Sumitomo. It represents a major leap forward for Chinese-manufactured trunk-grade fusion splicers.

· Mechanical build: Full-metal construction; metallic components account for over 65 % of unit weight excluding battery, delivering rugged reliability for harsh outdoor conditions.

· Speed & endurance: 6-second fast splicing, 10-second 3D surround heating. The 9000 mAh battery supports about 500 cycles of splicing plus heating.

280T — The Versatile Mid-Trunk Fusion Splicer

· Core performance: 4-motor core-alignment technology; fully-automatic 8-s splicing and 18-s heating cycles.

· Application flexibility: Optimized for 60-km-class metro and mid-trunk projects, while fully capable for FTTx roll-out, security-system cabling and general field maintenance.

· Endurance & serviceability: 6800 mAh battery for about 300 splice-heat cycles. Innovative tool-free electrode-rod replacement.

260T FTTx Fusion Splicer & 500E Mini Splicer

· 260T: Full-metal housing (metal >60 % weight excluding battery). Tool-free hot-swappable OPM / VFL modules and tool-removable SOC fixtures. 5200 mAh battery for 350 splice-heat cycles. Targeted for FTTx home-pass, field maintenance and security-surveillance installations.

· 500E: Ultra-lightweight design with integrated elevated-site working tray. 8-s splicing, 18-s heating. A cost-effective solution for access-network field work.

IV. OTDR Product Line: Filling market gaps to smart flagship trunk-grade instruments

Jilong kicked off its OTDR R&D program in 2008. Its first OTDR model KL-6210 filled a critical gap in the domestic OTDR market. Over the following decade-plus, Jilong built a complete product matrix covering FTTx field-service, metro-network and intelligent long-haul applications.

Starting with the ground-breaking KL-6210, advancing via performance improvements of the KL-6200, and reaching the high-end long-haul tier with the KL-6300 while serving mass-market access-network needs with KL-6100, Jilong has built a full-scenario OTDR portfolio. The company has evolved from a pure fusion-splicer supplier into a comprehensive solution provider for fiber-optic network construction and diagnostics.

KL-6300 Smart Long-Haul OTDR — Premium Flagship Option

· Core specifications: Max 45 dB dynamic range; event dead zone ≤0.8 m; attenuation dead zone ≤2.5 m; maximum test distance of 220 km. Supports testing through 128-way and level-3 splitters.

· Standard-included iOLA Eagle-Eye: Comparable functionality is a paid add-on costing approximately 2200 USD on competing EXFO hardware. Jilong includes iOLA as standard equipment, substantially lowering the entry barrier for high-end OTDR capability.

· All-in-one integration: OTDR, optical power meter, stable light source, visual fault locator, fiber-endface inspection, RJ45 cable test, GPS positioning, plus WiFi / VNC remote control.

· Intelligent analysis: Smart link graph with Pass / Fail auto-evaluation; user-executable self-calibration function.

· Field performance: Clearly resolves up to ten cascaded 3-meter short patch-cord events; delivers stable long-distance measurements. Multiple key specifications are competitive against leading imported alternatives.

KL-6200 Multi-Purpose OTDR

· Core specifications: 32 dB dynamic range; event dead zone down to 1 m; capable through 32-way and level-3 splitters; maximum test distance 140 km.

· Multi-function integration: Optical-power meter, VFL, stable light source, end-face inspection, RJ45 cable sequencing. Unit weight only 0.7 kg.

· Differentiated features: Industry-innovative user-operated self-calibration; dedicated PC analysis software supports multi-trace simultaneous evaluation.

KL-6100 FTTx-optimized OTDR

· Core specifications: 31 dB dynamic range; event dead zone ≤1.5 m; attenuation dead zone ≤5 m.

· Short-patch-cord testing: Auto-mode accurately evaluates up to eight cascaded 3-meter patch-cord connections, addressing the well-known “event-masking” pain point in conventional OTDR short-reach testing, achieved by combining narrow-pulse-width (5 ns) operation and 31 dB high dynamic-range performance.

· Field-oriented design: 5000 mAh large-capacity battery, user-swappable adapters, single-wavelength live-fiber test capability, well-suited for frequent outdoor field-service work.

V. Competitive Strengths: Technology Moat, Differentiated Services & Market Recognition

(1) Technology Moat

· Patent portfolio: Over 100 patents covering core technologies for fusion splicers and OTDRs.

· Self-developed core tech: 6-motor core-alignment, core-view visualization, low-dead-zone hardware architecture, iOLA intelligent algorithms and more.

· Industry-standard participation: Co-developer of the national GB/T 17570-2019 fusion-splicer standard.

(2) Differentiated Customer Services

· Lifetime Three-Free Services (for newer-generation models including 300T and 260T): free maintenance, free calibration, free training, lowering customers’ long-term operating costs.

· Fast local support: Jilong’s International service network delivers faster response.

(3) Market Traction & Global Recognition

· Telecom-operator tender wins: Multiple successful bids for China Mobile and China Telecom procurement programs.

· Global footprint: Local offices in Argentina, Nigeria, Brazil, Pakistan and other markets; products sold across more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

· University & technical-college adoptions: After side-by-side evaluations against imported equipment, Nanjing University (2024) and Wuhan Railway College (2025) selected Jilong instruments for research and teaching labs.

· Corporate social responsibility: In 2024 Jilong donated nearly 15,000-USD worth of fusion splicers and test gear to support post-disaster relief work in Gansu Province, China.

VI. Conclusion: Striving for Higher Performance, Building the Future Together with China’s Fiber-Optic Industry

From the ground-breaking KL-100 back in 1993, to today’s KL-6300 flagship OTDR and the 300T long-haul fusion splicer whose specifications match international-grade imports, Jilong’s 30-plus-year journey epitomizes Chinese fiber-optic hardware’s evolution from “following others” toward “running neck-and-neck with world leaders”.

Just as the original KL-100 broke through technology blockades by delivering comparable performance at half the import price, the KL-6300 eliminates premium-feature mark-ups common among high-end imported OTDRs by including iOLA (Eagle-Eye) as standard functionality. Jilong keeps contributing Chinese-manufactured value to the global fiber-optic ecosystem.

Facing emerging demands from AI computing networks, ultra-high-speed transmission and intelligent-operation-and-maintenance workflows, Jilong continues deep R&D investment in fiber-optic construction and test-measurement equipment. We deliver competitive hardware plus comprehensive service packages to support communications-infrastructure build-out worldwide. Choosing Jilong means selecting field-proven professional solutions — and placing your trust in the ongoing advancement of Chinese-originated optical-communication technology.

https://www.jilongot.com
南京吉隆光纤通信股份有限公司

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