The first countries to implement fiber optic communication were the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and China.

United States

The United States was a pioneer in commercial fiber optic communication. In 1976, Bell Labs built the first practical fiber optic system connecting Washington, D.C., to Atlanta, transmitting at 44.7 Mb/s . By 1977, the first commercial fiber optic network was launched in Chicago, operating at 45 Mb/s . AT&T also began deploying East and West Coast backbone networks using multimode fiber with 850 nm lasers, gradually replacing communications satellites . Early experimental links were also tested in Manhattan and at NORAD's Cheyenne Mountain facility .

United Kingdom

The British Post Office conducted early fiber optic tests in Martlesham Heath, United Kingdom, in the late 1970s . Researchers at Standard Telecommunication Laboratories, including Charles K. Kao and George Hockham, made critical breakthroughs in low-loss fiber suitable for communication, which laid the foundation for practical fiber optic networks .

Japan

Japan was an early adopter of fiber optics for both research and trials. Jun-ichi Nishizawa proposed optical fiber communication in 1963, and Japan conducted fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) trials in the late 1970s and 1980s, although costs were initially high . By 1981, China's first practical fiber optic line was opened, influenced by Japanese developments .

France

France participated in early fiber optic trials, including FTTH experiments, and had industrial production of long glass fibers starting in 1938, which later supported communication applications . French researchers contributed to the development of low-loss fibers and early network trials.

China

China began deploying fiber optic communication in the late 1970s. Zhao Zisen led China's first fiber deployment, and by December 1981, China opened its first practical fiber optic line in Wuhan, connecting it to the public telephone network . Subsequent interprovincial trunk lines, such as Wuhan–Guangzhou, were built in the late 1980s.

Summary

The United States led the first practical and commercial fiber optic networks, followed by early experimental and trial deployments in the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and China. These countries were instrumental in demonstrating the feasibility of fiber optic communication and establishing the foundation for global adoption. Key milestones included Bell Labs' Washington–Atlanta system, UK trials at Martlesham Heath, Japan's FTTH experiments, and China's first public network in Wuhan .