HFCL Limited has joined a Department of Telecommunications (DoT)-supported research consortium spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to develop hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology aimed at powering next-generation communication networks. The initiative is focused on building advanced optical fiber solutions aligned with emerging 6G and quantum communication requirements.
As an industry partner in the consortium, HFCL will provide expertise in optical fiber manufacturing, large-scale deployment, and system integration. The collaboration is designed to bridge laboratory research with real-world telecom applications, ensuring that innovations are scalable, commercially viable, and deployment-ready.
Hollow-core fiber represents a significant advancement in optical transmission. Unlike conventional solid-core fiber, HCF guides light through an air-filled core, substantially lowering latency and enhancing signal efficiency. Globally, this technology is being evaluated for high-capacity and latency-sensitive environments such as hyperscale data centers, long-haul networks, and next-generation telecom backbones. With the rapid rise of artificial intelligence workloads, cloud computing expansion, and the transition toward 6G, demand for ultra-low-latency infrastructure is expected to accelerate.
The DoT-backed program seeks to strengthen India’s domestic capabilities in advanced optical communication technologies, reducing reliance on external innovation in a strategically vital domain. Hollow-core fiber has the potential to significantly reduce transmission delays and improve energy efficiency in data networks, supporting more sustainable digital growth.
HFCL’s integrated manufacturing ecosystem will play a central role in supporting the project. The company operates an optical fiber manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, along with optical fiber cable plants in Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai. These facilities are supported by NABL-accredited laboratories that enable validation, pilot-scale development, and production support under one coordinated framework.
Commenting on the collaboration, Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to strengthening India’s position in critical optical technologies as global networks evolve. He noted that HFCL’s experience in manufacturing and network deployment will help align research outcomes with operational requirements and commercial scalability.
Professor Deepak Jain, Principal Investigator at IIT Delhi, stated that hollow-core fiber research combines optical physics, materials science, and electromagnetic design. He added that industry participation ensures research efforts remain closely aligned with manufacturability and national telecom priorities.
Through this collaboration, HFCL and IIT Delhi aim to advance India’s long-term capabilities in high-performance optical communication systems, supporting the country’s ambitions in future-ready digital infrastructure.
