HFCL aims to develop hollow-core fiber technology for faster, energy-efficient, and low-latency communication networks.
HFCL Limited has partnered with a Department of Telecommunications (DoT)-funded research project led by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) focused on advancing hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology for next-generation communication networks.
The agenda behind the collaboration is to create novel optical fiber technologies relevant to future 6G and quantum communication systems. As a consortium partner, HFCL will contribute industry expertise, manufacturing perspective, and application insights to support the translational aspects of the research.
Hollow-core fiber is a new optical technology that helps reduce transmission delay and improve signal performance compared to traditional solid-core fiber. Around the world, it is being explored for high-capacity, long-distance, and low-latency network applications, including advanced data centers and next-generation telecom infrastructure.
With the rapid growth of AI workloads, hyperscale computing, and the development of 6G networks, the demand for ultra-low-latency optical infrastructure is expected to increase significantly. This initiative, supported by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to strengthen India’s capabilities in this important technology area. Hollow-core fiber can also help reduce energy consumption and improve the speed of data communication.
Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, said the company is pleased to join the DoT-supported consortium led by IIT Delhi to develop hollow-core fiber technology. He said the technology has strong potential for future communication networks. As the global telecom sector moves toward 6G, AI-driven infrastructure, and low-latency applications, it is important for India to develop its own capabilities in advanced optical technologies.
He added that HFCL has strong experience in optical fiber manufacturing, system integration, and large-scale telecom deployments. Through this consortium, the company will contribute industry knowledge on manufacturing, scalability, and real-world network needs, helping ensure that research outcomes can be practically implemented.
He also said collaborations like this help strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by bringing together academic research and industry expertise. Such partnerships are important for improving technological self-reliance and positioning India as a key contributor to the future of global digital infrastructure.
At IIT Delhi, the research focuses on combining optical physics, materials engineering, and electromagnetic design to address both performance and practical implementation challenges. The participation of industry partners like HFCL in the consortium provides valuable insights on scalability, manufacturing, and real-world deployment.
