HFCL Limited has joined a Department of Telecommunications (DoT)-funded research consortium led by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi to accelerate the development of hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology for next-generation communication networks.
The collaborative project is focused on advancing optical fiber innovations aligned with future 6G and quantum communication systems. As a consortium partner, HFCL will bring industry expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and real-world application insights to help transition research breakthroughs into scalable commercial deployment.
Hollow-Core Fiber: A Critical Enabler for 6G and AI Infrastructure
Hollow-core fiber is emerging as a transformative optical technology designed to significantly reduce transmission latency and energy consumption compared to traditional solid-core fiber. By guiding light through an air-filled core rather than glass, HCF minimizes signal delay and improves performance in latency-sensitive environments.
Globally, hollow-core fiber is being explored for high-capacity, long-haul, and ultra-low-latency applications, particularly in hyperscale data centers, AI-driven workloads, and next-generation telecom infrastructure. As hyperscalers expand AI data center capacity and the industry moves toward 6G, the demand for faster and more energy-efficient optical backbones is expected to surge.
The DoT-supported initiative aims to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities in this strategically significant domain, reducing reliance on imported advanced optical technologies while fostering local innovation.
HFCL’s Integrated Manufacturing and R&D Ecosystem
HFCL’s participation is backed by its integrated optical fiber manufacturing ecosystem. The company operates a state-of-the-art optical fiber facility in Hyderabad, along with advanced optical fiber cable manufacturing units across Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai.
Its NABL-accredited laboratories provide capabilities spanning validation, pilot-scale development, and production support — enabling a streamlined pathway from laboratory research to full-scale commercialization.
By combining IIT Delhi’s academic research leadership with HFCL’s manufacturing depth and telecom domain expertise, the consortium seeks to position India at the forefront of hollow-core fiber innovation, laying the groundwork for 6G networks, quantum communication systems, and next-generation ultra-low-latency infrastructure.
Leadership Quotes
Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director, HFCL, said: “We are pleased to join this DoT-supported consortium led by IIT Delhi to advance hollow-core fiber technology, which holds significant promise for next-generation communication networks. As the global telecom ecosystem evolves toward 6G, AI-driven infrastructure, and ultra-low-latency applications, it is important for India to build indigenous capabilities in critical optical technologies.
HFCL brings deep expertise in optical fiber manufacturing, system integration, and large-scale telecom deployment. Through this consortium, we look forward to contributing industry insights on manufacturability, scalability, and real-world network requirements, ensuring that advanced research outcomes are aligned with practical deployment needs.
Collaborations of this nature strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by connecting academic research with industrial capability. We believe such partnerships are essential for enhancing technological self-reliance and positioning India as a strong contributor to the future of global digital infrastructure.”
Professor Deepak Jain, Principal Investigator, IIT Delhi, said: “Hollow-core fiber represents an important frontier in optical science and communication engineering, particularly as global networks evolve toward 6G, quantum communication, and latency-sensitive applications. This DoT-supported project aims to advance fundamental research and system-level understanding of hollow-core fiber technologies within the Indian ecosystem.
At IIT Delhi, our work integrates optical physics, materials engineering, and electromagnetic design to address both performance and practical implementation challenges. The participation of industry partners such as HFCL through the consortium framework provides valuable perspective on scalability, manufacturability, and deployment considerations.
Such structured collaboration between academia and industry is critical to accelerating innovation while ensuring alignment with national telecom priorities. We believe this initiative will contribute meaningfully to strengthening India’s long-term capabilities in advanced optical communication technologies.”
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