NewKerala.com

HFCL Joins IIT Delhi-Led Push for Next-Gen Hollow-Core Fiber Tech

HFCL Limited has joined a research consortium led by IIT Delhi and funded by the Department of Telecommunications to develop hollow-core fiber technology. This emerging technology aims to reduce transmission latency and energy consumption, which is critical for future 6G, quantum communication, and AI-driven infrastructure. The project integrates academic research with HFCL's industrial expertise and manufacturing facilities to accelerate innovation and ensure practical deployment. The collaboration is focused on strengthening India's indigenous capabilities in advanced optical communication technologies.

Key Points: HFCL Joins IIT Delhi Consortium to Develop Hollow-Core Fiber

  • Reduces latency & energy use
  • Targets 6G & quantum networks
  • DoT-funded research initiative
  • Connects academia with industry
  • Aims for indigenous tech capabilities
2 min read

HFCL joins IIT Delhi-led consortium to develop hollow-core fiber technology

HFCL joins IIT Delhi-led, DoT-funded consortium to develop hollow-core fiber technology for 6G, quantum systems, and AI-driven networks.

"We are pleased to join this DoT-supported consortium... to advance hollow-core fiber technology, which holds significant promise for next-generation communication networks. - Mahendra Nahata"

New Delhi, February 24

HFCL Limited has joined a research consortium led by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi to develop hollow-core fiber technology. According to HFCL, the project is funded by the Department of Telecommunications and focuses on advancing optical fiber solutions for next-generation communication networks, including 6G and quantum systems.

Hollow-core fiber is an emerging technology designed to reduce transmission latency and energy consumption compared to traditional solid-core fiber. As global demand for AI workloads and hyperscale computing increases, the technology is being explored for high-capacity, long-haul, and latency-sensitive applications. The DoT-supported initiative aims to strengthen indigenous capabilities in this domain to support future 6G and quantum communication infrastructure.

HFCL will provide industry expertise, manufacturing perspectives, and application insights to the consortium to assist in the translational aspects of the research. The company operates an optical fiber manufacturing facility in Hyderabad and cable facilities in Goa and Chennai. Its NABL-accredited laboratories will support validation and pilot-scale development to ensure research outcomes align with practical deployment needs.

Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of 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."

The project integrates optical physics, materials engineering, and electromagnetic design to address performance and implementation challenges. Professor Deepak Jain, Principal Investigator at 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."

The collaboration seeks to connect academic research with industrial capability to accelerate innovation. According to Professor Jain, "such structured collaboration between academia and industry is critical to accelerating innovation while ensuring alignment with national telecom priorities." The initiative is expected to contribute to India's long-term capabilities in advanced optical communication technologies and enhance technological self-reliance.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Great initiative, but I hope the outcomes are commercialized effectively and don't just remain a research paper. We have a history of brilliant R&D that doesn't reach the market. HFCL's manufacturing input is crucial for that.
R
Rohit P
Reducing latency and energy consumption is key for AI and data centers. If this tech takes off, it could make our digital infrastructure much more efficient and green. Good to see Indian companies thinking ahead.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in telecom, the focus on "translational aspects" is very welcome. Academia often focuses on theory, but having HFCL's labs for validation will bridge the gap to real-world use. A step in the right direction.
V
Vikram M
Atmanirbhar Bharat in action! 👏 Developing core technologies like hollow-core fiber within India will reduce our dependency on foreign imports in the long run. Hope more such consortia are formed for other critical tech areas.
M
Michael C
The article mentions facilities in Hyderabad, Goa, and Chennai. It's good to see development and high-tech manufacturing spreading across different states, not just concentrated in one or two metro hubs.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50