What Folan does

FOLAN is a French designer and manufacturer of passive solutions and equipment for optical fiber networks, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Rillieux-la-Pape, France. The company operates as SAS FOLAN with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Germany (FOLAN GmbH, Frankfurt) and the United Kingdom (FOLAN Technologies Ltd, formerly Mainframe Communications Limited), serving customers across 35+ countries spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. FOLAN's product portfolio spans enclosures and optical boxes (FIDJI, ELFI®, QINA, KYOTO, PANAMA, PALERME), optical distribution frames (PORTO, NIAGARA, MILANO, DELPHI), preconnectorized cables (micromodule, breakout, distribution, central tube, minicore, subscriber), patchcords and pigtails, plus innovative patented components such as hybrid connectors and a 12-fiber splice cassette with locking system.

The company organizes its offering into six solution categories — FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home), FTTA (Fiber-to-the-Antenna), FTTO (Fiber-to-the-Office), Data Center, Smart Cities, and Specific/Custom Projects — and recently expanded into Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE), Greentech solar panels, and video surveillance. Notable named customers include Orange, Nokia, Proximus, Siemens Energy, Vinci Autoroutes, HDF Energy, and the Doha Metro project, with bespoke engineering supplied through an integrated in-house design office and IRSE-accredited personnel.

FOLAN's business model is built on direct B2B enterprise field sales targeting telecom operators, infrastructure integrators, and government-led fiber projects, supplemented by two e-commerce channels (folan-shop.com for professionals, cable-box-fibre.com for consumers) and an exclusive ELFI® distribution network. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts typical for enterprise deployments. The company reports a 2022 turnover of €45 million and has maintained EcoVadis Gold Medal status for eight consecutive years, placing it in the top 4% of companies assessed for corporate social responsibility.

Name

Folan

Legal name

SAS FOLAN

Website

https://folan.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Folan is a French designer and manufacturer of passive optical fiber network equipment, founded 1988, serving telecom operators, infrastructure integrators, and energy/transport projects across 35+ countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Passive Optical Fiber Network Equipment

NAICS

Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Electronic Connectors (3678)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber Distribution, Splice & Termination (ODF/Enclosures/Splice Trays) (HDAFALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data, Communications & Fiber Optic Cable (IMADAMAD), Cable Assemblies & Patch Cords (Copper/Fiber) (HDAFALAF)

Keywords

• Passive optical fiber equipment
• FTTH network components
• Fiber optic enclosures
• Telecom infrastructure hardware
• Optical distribution frames

Headquarters

HQ city

Rillieux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware product sales: FOLAN generates revenue through the sale of passive optical fiber network equipment including cables, preconnectorized cables, patchcords, pigtails, optical patch panels, optical boxes, and fiber management solutions. The company also offers products for adjacent sectors including EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), solar panels, and video surveillance. Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales to telecom operators, infrastructure integrators, and enterprises, as well as through e-commerce pro and consumer shops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

FOLAN designs and manufactures passive solutions and equipment for optical fiber networks, including optical boxes, optical distribution frames, network wall boxes and cabinets, fiber optic cables, patchcords, pigtails, SFP transceiver modules, and media/mode converters. Its products are deployed across FTTH, FTTA, FTTO, data center, smart city, and bespoke infrastructure projects for telecom operators, mobile network operators, enterprises, and infrastructure integrators in 35+ countries.

Product overview

FOLAN is a French designer and manufacturer of passive solutions and equipment for optical fiber networks, core networks, data centers, and industries. The company operates as a multi-solution provider organized around a portfolio of complementary product sub-brands and solution categories. The product range is organized into four main categories: (1) Enclosures and Distribution Frames — including ELFI® wall boxes/cabinets, FIDJI, QINA, KYOTO, and Panama optical boxes, plus NIAGARA, PORTO, MILANO, and DELPHI optical distribution frames; (2) Cables and Preconnectorized Cables — including micromodule, breakout, distribution, central tube, minicore, subscriber, and preconnectorized cables; (3) Patchcords and Pigtails — standard, Uniboot, MPO, FTTA outdoor, subscriber, PM, RET, and RJ45 cords; and (4) Innovative Products — including Palerme compact box, hybrid LCA/SCA and LC connectors, PTO and self-protected adapters, and splice cassettes. These products are deployed through six solution categories: FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home), FTTA (Fiber-to-the-Antenna), FTTO (Fiber-to-the-Office), Data Center, Smart Cities, and Specific/Custom Projects. The company also recently expanded into EVSE, solar panels, and video surveillance sectors. FOLAN serves customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through its production units worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ELFI: Network wall boxes and cabinets product range
• FIDJI
• QINA
• KYOTO
• PANAMA
• PALERME
• PORTO
• NIAGARA
• MILANO
• DELPHI

Products and services

• FIDJI Optical Boxes FIDJI optical boxes for cable connection, distribution, and splicing in fiber optic networks. Available in multiple configurations including 12FO, 24FO, and 96FO with LC-Quad connectors and pivoting splice trays, supporting top and bottom cable entry. Designed for telecom operators and infrastructure integrators.
• ELFI® Network Wall Boxes and Cabinets Complete range of network wall boxes and cabinets housing both active and passive equipment, combining high performance with ease of integration for enterprise network and telecom deployments. Distributed exclusively through the ELFI® distribution network.
• FOLAN SFP Transceivers (Small Form-factor Pluggable) Compact optical transceiver modules (also known as mini GBICs) that plug into active equipment such as media converters, switches, or routers to provide optical connectivity in fiber networks.
• QINA, KYOTO and Panama Optical Boxes Family of optical boxes for cable connection and fiber distribution in fiber optic networks. Panama family available in Compact, Standard, Hybrid, and Storage variants. Designed for telecom operators and infrastructure integrators deploying fiber networks.
• Palerme Compact Optical Box (Patented) Patented compact optical box for cable connection and distribution in fiber optic networks, classified as an innovative product by FOLAN. Designed for telecom operators and infrastructure integrators.
• NIAGARA, PORTO, MILANO and DELPHI Optical Distribution Frames Fiber optic distribution frames installed in 19-inch racks for cable connection and distribution to other cables or active equipment. Available in sliding, rotary, and fixed versions. MILANO supports up to 48 fibers on 1U (LC) and 96 fibers on 2U (LC) including MPO panel and patchcord storage container. DELPHI supports fusion splicing with up to 48 fibers on 1U and 96 fibers on 2U. NIAGARA and PORTO are available in rotary/fixed and sliding variants respectively.
• Fiber Optic Cables (Micromodule, Breakout, Distribution, Central Tube, Minicore, Subscriber, Preconnectorized) Complete range of fiber optic cables including micromodule, breakout, distribution, central tube, minicore, subscriber/branch, and preconnectorized variants. Micromodule cable offers high compactness, lightness, and ease of handling for aerial and duct deployment. Breakout cable protects multiple 2mm patchcords within a single jacket for rapid direct connectorization. Distribution cable uses 900µm cladded fibers with Kevlar reinforcement. Preconnectorized cables ship with pre-mounted connectors at each end with factory-measured performance values.
• Patchcords and Pigtails Optical cords and preconnectorized semi-patchcords for connecting cable heads, optical distributors, wall boxes, and active elements. Patchcords available in Standard, Uniboot, MPO, FTTA Outdoor, Subscriber, PM, RET, and RJ45 types for interior short-distance connections. Pigtails are 900µm preconnectorized cords connected at one end by splice.
• Mode Converters and Media Converters Mode converters convert singlemode signals on the transport side to multimode on the distribution side and vice versa, available with or without integrated SFP port. Media converters convert copper networks to optical fiber or vice versa in a plug-and-play configuration without setup, with optional SFP/mini-GBIC for optical connectivity.
• RJ45 Cords and Copper Patch Panels Copper patch cords and patch panels used in IT bays for switching connections and end-user connectivity in enterprise networks. Available in 5 colors for application identification. Used alongside FOLAN's FTTO offering for hybrid copper-fiber enterprise deployments.
• Waterproof Enclosure (BEP) Flat waterproof enclosure designed to house, manage, and protect up to 96 fusion splices with modulable interior configuration of up to 4 stacking pivoting cassettes. Designed for outdoor and harsh-environment fiber deployments.
• Hybrid LCA/SCA and LC Connectors (Patented) Patented innovative hybrid fiber optic connectors providing interconnection between different connector standards (LCA/SCA and LC), reducing transition complexity in mixed-cable fiber deployments.
• PTO (Optical Terminal Outlet) and Self-Protected Adapter (Patented) Patented optical terminal outlet serving as the fiber entry point in subscriber premises and point of demarcation for FTTH deployments, including a self-protected adapter variant for installation safety.
• 12-Fiber Splice Cassette with Locking System (Patented) Patented 12-fiber splice cassette with locking system for organizing and protecting fusion-spliced fibers within enclosures, used in FOLAN's fiber management solutions.
• Modem Tray Tray providing easy access to equipment in shallow enclosures or bays without rear 19-inch mounting, supporting up to 25kg. Available in 300mm and 350mm depths for enterprise and telecom deployments.
• Custom/Bespoke Fiber Infrastructure Projects Bespoke fiber infrastructure design and manufacturing service with an integrated design office where engineers design and test custom products tailored to specific project requirements, including metro systems, motorways, and energy installations. FOLAN has delivered custom solutions for projects including Doha Metro (fully assembled, wired, and tested relay cabinets) and French Guiana energy installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 4% of companies assessed by EcoVadis
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ELFI Distribution NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorELFI® network wall boxes and cabinets are distributed exclusively through the ELFI distribution network, which represents a key channel partner for FOLAN's enclosure and cabinet product line.
• WorldSkills FranceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOLAN partnered with WorldSkills France regional selections for network cabling, a national competition dedicated to professional skills that showcases the expertise of young talents in telecommunications trades.
• Cabinet Integration (Mainframe Communications)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMainframe Communications Limited (now FOLAN Technologies Ltd) acts as an integration partner for FOLAN, providing fiber connectivity solutions. The name change from Mainframe Communications to FOLAN Technologies Ltd took effect on July 1st as part of the integration into the FOLAN group.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Huber+Suhner: Swiss-based connectivity specialist offering fiber optic cables, patch cords, splitters, and outdoor enclosures for FTTH, FTTA (including the iconic MASTERLINE range), and railway/industrial deployment. Closely overlaps FOLAN's FTTA, railway (cf. Doha Metro), and preconnectorized breakout cable product lines.
• AFL Telecommunications (Fujikura): Specialty manufacturer of fiber optic cable, connectors, splicers, enclosures, and FTTH passive infrastructure, owned by Furukawa Electric. Directly comparable in product breadth (cables, closures, patch panels, splicing equipment) and customer profile (Tier-1 telcos, utilities, integrators) to FOLAN.
• Reichle & De-Massari (R&M): Swiss-headquartered designer and manufacturer of passive fiber optic connectivity, patch panels, enclosures, and cabling for FTTH, data center, and LAN applications. Overlaps directly with FOLAN's FIDJI/ELFI enclosures, NIAGARA/PORTO patch panels, and preconnectorized cable lines serving the same telecom operator and data-center customers in EMEA.
• Leviton (Network Solutions): US-headquartered maker of fiber patch panels, patch cords, cassettes, and data-center structured cabling systems (e.g., Opt-X, e2XHD). Comparable to FOLAN in patch cords (RJ45/MPO), patch panels (NIAGARA/PORTO/MILANO), and data-center fiber solutions.

Broad incumbents

• TE Connectivity: Broad-line global connector, sensor, and fiber optic component manufacturer with strong telecom operator and data-center exposure (FTTH closures, ODFs, patch panels). Overlaps FOLAN's connectivity/hybrid adapter IP and serves many of the same Tier-1 telecom buyers.
• Nexans: French-headquartered global cable manufacturer with strong telecom fiber (LAN, FTTH, FTTA) and industrial cabling lines, including preconnectorized solutions. Natural geographic and product overlap with FOLAN in EMEA and a notable French industrial competitor.
• Corning Incorporated: Global leader in optical fiber, cable, hardware (OptiTap, OptiSheath, Evolux), and connectivity, serving telecom and hyperscale data center customers worldwide. A primary broad competitor across FTTH, FTTA, and data center, with substantially larger R&D and global scale than FOLAN.
• Prysmian Group: World's largest cable manufacturer, offering telecom (fibers, optical cables, connectivity) and energy cable solutions. Directly comparable to FOLAN in fiber optic cable manufacturing (SP5QMBXP-equivalent scope) and a leading EMEA player overlapping with FOLAN's telecom operator customer base.
• CommScope: Global provider of connectivity and network infrastructure (Propel, SYSTIMAX, NOVUX) for wireless, FTTH, and data centers. Comparable to FOLAN in FTTH passive enclosures and data-center fiber solutions, with much broader portfolio and larger scale.
• Furukawa Electric: Japanese fiber optic cable, connectivity, and laser components group (parent of AFL). Comparable to FOLAN across fiber cable, closures, and connectors, with global scale and a longer Latin American footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/folan_fttx
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• Facebookfacebook.com/Folan-161211210661215/?ref=page_internal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/folan

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Folan