HFCL Limited has joined a Department of Telecommunications (DoT)– funded research consortium led by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) to advance hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology for next-generation communication networks.
The initiative aims to develop novel optical fiber technologies aligned with emerging 6G and quantum communication systems, strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities in advanced telecom infrastructure.
Why Hollow-Core Fiber Matters
Hollow-core fiber is a next-generation optical technology designed to significantly reduce transmission latency and energy consumption compared to conventional solid-core fiber. Instead of guiding light through glass, HCF transmits light through an air-filled core, reducing signal delay and improving performance.
Globally, hollow-core fiber is being explored for:
- High-capacity, long-haul networks
- AI-driven hyperscale data centers
- Latency-sensitive telecom infrastructure
- 6G backbone networks
- Quantum communication systems
With hyperscalers expanding AI data center capacity and telecom ecosystems preparing for 6G evolution, ultra-low-latency optical infrastructure is becoming mission-critical.
HFCL’s Role in Translational Research
As a consortium partner, HFCL will contribute its industry expertise in optical fiber manufacturing, system integration and large-scale telecom deployment. The focus will be on ensuring research outcomes are manufacturable, scalable and aligned with real-world network requirements.
HFCL operates an optical fiber manufacturing facility in Hyderabad and optical fiber cable plants across Hyderabad, Goa and Chennai, forming an integrated innovation and production ecosystem. Its NABL-accredited laboratories support validation, pilot-scale development and production readiness.
Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, emphasized that as the telecom ecosystem transitions toward AI-driven infrastructure and ultra-low-latency networks, building indigenous capabilities in critical optical technologies is strategically essential for India.
Professor Deepak Jain, Principal Investigator at IIT Delhi, highlighted hollow-core fiber as a frontier in optical science and communication engineering. The research integrates optical physics, materials engineering and electromagnetic design to address both performance optimization and practical implementation challenges.
The collaboration reflects a broader push to connect academic research with industrial manufacturing capability, ensuring advanced technologies move from laboratory validation to commercial deployment.
By participating in this DoT-supported consortium, HFCL positions itself at the forefront of next-generation optical innovation, while contributing to India’s long-term technological self-reliance in 6G, quantum networks and AI-enabled digital infrastructure.
