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ICT world made possible by light

Advances in optical communication technology, dubbed “communication of dreams,” have ushered in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT), which had previously existed in our imagination only. Mobile communication, which has recently seen dramatic development, also relies on optical communication as it needs to go through relay bases or base stations for the transmission of large-volume information. Building on information and communication technology, optical communication uses optical fibers, one strand of which, though thinner than human hair, can transmit a massive amount of data - over 1,000 gigabits per second. Amidst ever-intensifying technological competition in the global optical communication field, the rapid strides PPI Inc. is making in the global market are indeed notable.
PPI Inc. started out as a venture startup within Chonnam National University in 1999. Since its establishment, the company, though small in size, developed a source technology for planar lightwave circuit (PLC), known as a core technology for a future industry that will replace the electronics industry of today, and has been leading the optical communication market as a strong player by introducing a variety of products utilizing PLC. Thanks to its stellar achievements, PPI Inc. was chosen as one of the companies known collectively as “Hidden Champions” that are nurtured by the city of Gwangju.

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Started as a venture startup within university, solidified position by proving its capabilities

CEO Kim Jin-bong of PPI Inc., a former professor at Chonnam National University, founded PPI Inc., believing that “a good item will succeed no matter what,” to boost development of optical technology. At the early stage, he laid a foundation of the technology-driven company as its director of technology and built a technological base for the domestic optical communications industry, while also contributing to promoting the optical communications market both at home and abroad. PPI Inc. successfully launched mass production of optical power splitters for the first time in the world, and at one time, the company even captured 80% of the optical power splitter market in the US.
With its outstanding technology, PPI Inc. has developed unique products and unveiled new products in tune with the market trends one after another, emerging as a company that supplies optical communication components and optical measurement systems that are key components of optical communication networks for communication providers in Korea and overseas. Within Korea, PPI Inc. passed performance certification tests for optical power splitters conducted by KT and Hanaro Telecom with excellent results in 2006, and is now providing its products to three domestic communication providers – KT, SK Broadband, and LG U+. PPI Inc. has successfully entered the markets in the US, as well as in China, Japan, Europe, and southeast Asia.

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100% localization realized with source technology

The secret to PPI Inc.’s success in the optical communication market where competition is fierce around the globe is that the company was successful in fully localizing its products using its own PLC source technology. In addition, the company sought to achieve high product yield and quality enhancements, while also securing price competitiveness for its products. On top of this, PPI Inc. secured global competitiveness when it established a stable mass production system capable of handling all required processes.
As a strong supporter of technology, ETRI was with PPI Inc. every step of the way until it emerged as a market leader with cutting-edge technology. For a fully-developed technology to be released as an actual product in the market, a series of steps – from performance evaluation and test certification to reliability evaluation – that are just as critical as R&D itself must be taken. Had it not been for ETRI’s support with the reliability evaluation, PPI Inc. would have had to seek an overseas organization to carry out the evaluation, which would have been so costly and time-consuming (at least one year) that the company could have lost the window to introduce its product to the market at the right time.
In 2016, PPI Inc. had support from ETRI for test technology and equipment 22 times including a reliability evaluation for its AWG. As a result, the mass production yield of the product was raised from 50% to 80% and the company was able to complete the product’s commercial development six months ahead of schedule.
The information and communication technology (ICT) industry, which is a catalyst for the fourth Industrial Revolution, is advancing by leaps and bound day after day. While Korea prides itself as an ICT powerhouse, it still has a long way to go to become a true leader in this field. Armed with a strong source technology of its own and unflinching courage, PPI Inc. is not only fearless of failure after almost 20 years in business but is also firmly determined to build an ICT powerhouse that is recognized by the entire world.