A Groundbreaking Partnership for India's Optical Future

In a significant step towards technological self-reliance, Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited (HFCL), a leading Indian telecom equipment manufacturer, has joined a Department of Telecommunications (DoT)-funded research consortium led by the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). This collaboration, announced on February 23, 2026, focuses on developing hollow-core fiber (HCF) technology to power next-generation networks like 6G and quantum communications, ultimately aiming to reduce India's heavy dependence on imported advanced optical technologies.

The initiative comes at a critical time as India ramps up its digital infrastructure amid booming demand for AI data centers, hyperscale computing, and ultra-low-latency applications. Traditional solid-core optical fibers, while reliable, face limitations in speed and efficiency for these emerging needs. HCF promises to address these by allowing light to propagate primarily through air, slashing latency and energy use.

This consortium exemplifies the synergy between academia and industry, positioning IIT Delhi's photonics expertise alongside HFCL's manufacturing prowess to bridge lab innovations with real-world deployment. For higher education institutions and researchers in India, this opens avenues for collaborative projects in optical communications.Explore research jobs in photonics.

Understanding Hollow-Core Fiber Technology

Hollow-core fiber (HCF), also known as hollow-core photonic crystal fiber in some designs, is an advanced type of optical fiber where the core—through which light signals travel—is mostly air or vacuum, rather than solid glass (silica). Surrounding this air core is a microstructure of glass capillaries or nested tubes that guides light via anti-resonant reflection or photonic bandgap mechanisms, preventing it from leaking into the glass cladding.

The process works step-by-step: (1) Laser light enters the fiber aligned with the hollow core; (2) The cladding structure reflects light back into the core through resonance avoidance; (3) Light travels ~99% through air, minimizing material interactions; (4) At the output, signals are detected with negligible distortion. This contrasts with conventional single-mode fibers (SMF), where light zigzags through dense glass, causing delays and nonlinear effects.

Developed over the past two decades, HCF has evolved from lab curiosities to prototypes. Global milestones include Microsoft's record-low loss of 0.091 dB/km in 2025 and commercial trials by companies like Lumenisity and OFS. In India, IIT Delhi's Optoelectronics and Photonic Devices (OPD) group has been pioneering designs for mid-IR sensing and mode-division multiplexing using HCF.

Key Advantages of HCF Over Traditional Fibers

HCF offers transformative benefits, particularly for latency-sensitive applications. Here's a comparison:

• Ultra-Low Latency: Light speed in air is 31% faster than glass, crucial for high-frequency trading, AR/VR, and autonomous systems.
• High Power Tolerance: Reduced nonlinearities allow terawatt lasers without distortion, enabling quantum key distribution (QKD).
• Security: Easier intrusion detection as bending affects air core more predictably.
• Versatility: Mid-IR transmission for gas sensing, supercontinuum generation.

Despite promise, challenges like higher initial loss and complex fabrication persist, which the consortium targets.

India's Optical Technology Import Challenge

India's optical fiber cables (OFC) market is booming, valued at USD 553 million in 2025 and projected to hit USD 1.04 billion by 2031 at 11% CAGR. However, advanced specialty fibers like HCF are largely imported, with the broader photonics sector reliant on foreign tech for 6G enablers. Telecom exports surged 72% to ₹18,406 crore in 2025, but imports dominate high-end components.

BharatNet and 5G rollout demand fiberization of 75% cell towers by 2026, straining import chains. Initiatives like Production Linked Incentives (PLI) for telecom boost local OFC capacity—HFCL alone expanding to 42 million fkm/year—but HCF remains nascent.Related: Global partnerships in Indian higher ed tech.

This consortium aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, fostering indigenous R&D to capture the global HCF market, projected at USD 916 million by 2032.

Spotlight on the HFCL-IIT Delhi Consortium

Led by Prof. Deepak Jain from IIT Delhi's SFPD Research Group, the DoT-funded project integrates optical physics, materials science, and engineering. Objectives include novel HCF designs for 6G (terabit/s speeds) and quantum networks (secure, entanglement-preserving transmission).

"Hollow-core fiber represents an important frontier... Such structured collaboration is critical to accelerating innovation." – Prof. Deepak Jain, IIT Delhi.

HFCL provides manufacturing scale-up, with facilities in Hyderabad (fiber), Goa/Chennai (cables), and NABL labs for validation. MD Mahendra Nahata emphasized: "Collaborations strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem." No other partners disclosed yet, but academia-industry model invites expansion.

For students and faculty, this signals opportunities in photonics PhDs and projects. Postdoc roles in optics.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

IIT Delhi's Photonics Legacy

IIT Delhi's Optoelectronics group, under Prof. Jain, researches HCF for mode-division multiplexing, mid-IR sensing, and quantum apps. Past works include germania-doped HCF and spiral phase imaging. The institute's Optics & Photonics Centre fosters interdisciplinary R&D, aligning with national missions like National Quantum Mission (₹6,000 crore).

India's 6G vision, via Bharat 6G Alliance, prioritizes optical backhaul; this fits perfectly. Prof. Jain's group recently invited PhD candidates for HCF work.

HFCL's Role in Bridging Research to Reality

HFCL, with 30+ years in telecom, manufactures 33-42 million fkm OFC annually across India facilities. Its eco-friendly micro-cables and export orders (e.g., ₹656 crore in 2025) showcase scale. In HCF, it handles pilot production and testing, ensuring manufacturability.

This mirrors HFCL's push into IBR cables and global exports, supporting India's PLI goals.

Applications Revolutionizing Indian Telecom

• 6G Networks: Terahertz backhaul with minimal latency.
• Quantum Communication: Low-loss for qubits, QKD networks.
• AI Data Centers: Connect distant racks without delay penalties.
• Smart Cities: Real-time IoT, AR surveillance.
• Defence: Secure, high-bandwidth links.

By 2030, India's 100 crore 5G users will demand HCF for upgrades.

Challenges, Solutions, and Timeline

Challenges: High fabrication costs, loss parity with SMF, splicing. Solutions: Nested anti-resonant designs, AI-optimized microstructures. Commercialization: Trials in 2026, scale by 2030 globally; India aims faster via consortium.

Stakeholders: DoT funding accelerates; expect prototypes in 2-3 years.

Implications for Higher Education and Careers

This boosts photonics programs at IITs, creating jobs in R&D. Students can pursue scholarships for optics. Positions India's unis globally.Academic CV tips.

Future: Export HCF, lead Asia-Pacific next-gen fiber market.

Photo by Artyom Korshunov on Unsplash

Global Landscape and India's Edge

Leaders: OFS, Prysmian, Nokia; market $386M in 2026 to $970M by 2035. India's cost-effective manufacturing gives edge.HFCL HCF blog.

Outlook: Transformative for Digital India.