HFCL has joined a Department of Telecommunications-funded research consortium led by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to accelerate the development of hollow-core fiber technology for next-generation communication networks, including 6G and quantum communication systems.
The project, supported by the Department of Telecommunications, aims to develop novel optical fiber technologies that can address the growing requirements of ultra-low latency, high capacity, and energy-efficient networks. As a consortium partner, HFCL will contribute its industry expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and application insights to bridge the gap between advanced research and large-scale deployment.
Focus on hollow-core fiber for ultra-low latency networks
Hollow-core fiber is an emerging optical technology designed to transmit light through an air-filled core rather than solid glass, significantly reducing transmission latency and improving signal performance compared to conventional solid-core fiber. Globally, hollow-core fiber is being explored for long-haul, high-capacity, and latency-sensitive applications, including hyperscale data centers and next-generation telecom infrastructure.
With the rapid rise in AI workloads, hyperscale computing, cloud adoption, and the evolution toward 6G networks, demand for ultra-low-latency optical infrastructure is expected to increase significantly. Hollow-core fiber has the potential to dramatically reduce latency in data transmission while also lowering energy consumption, making it strategically important for future digital infrastructure.
The DoT-supported initiative seeks to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities in advanced optical technologies, aligning with national priorities for technological self-reliance in critical telecom infrastructure.
HFCL to provide manufacturing and deployment expertise
HFCL will leverage its integrated optical fiber manufacturing ecosystem to support the translational aspects of the research. The company’s optical fiber manufacturing facility in Hyderabad, along with advanced optical fiber cable facilities across Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai, enables end-to-end capabilities from validation and pilot-scale development to production support.
HFCL’s NABL-accredited laboratories and integrated manufacturing environment are expected to play a key role in evaluating scalability, manufacturability, and real-world deployment considerations for hollow-core fiber technology.
Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, said the collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to supporting India’s evolution toward 6G, AI-driven infrastructure, and ultra-low-latency applications.
IIT Delhi highlights research and system-level innovation
Deepak Jain, Principal Investigator at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, emphasized that hollow-core fiber represents a key frontier in optical science and communication engineering as networks evolve toward 6G, quantum communication, and latency-sensitive applications.
Strengthening India’s 6G and quantum communication roadmap
As global telecom ecosystems prepare for 6G and advanced AI-driven services, optical infrastructure will play a central role in supporting high-speed, low-latency, and energy-efficient data transmission. The hollow-core fiber research initiative led by IIT Delhi and supported by the Department of Telecommunications marks a significant step toward building indigenous expertise in this strategically important domain.
