Pranav Hotkar
Mumbai, India - March 25, 2026 - Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) has introduced what it claims to be India’s first Hollow Core Fiber (HCF) cable, marking a significant advancement in optical connectivity aimed at meeting the rising demands of data centers, hyperscalers, and AI-driven infrastructure.
The new HCF cable represents a shift from conventional fiber designs by transmitting light through an air-filled core rather than solid glass. This approach allows signals to travel approximately 46% faster, significantly reducing latency and signal loss, two critical factors for modern high-performance computing and data center interconnects.
The company said the technology is designed to address the growing need for ultra-low latency and high-bandwidth networks, particularly as artificial intelligence workloads and real-time applications continue to scale globally.
STL has also incorporated a hybrid cable architecture into the solution, combining hollow core fiber with G.654. E-fiber for long-haul, low-loss transmission and G.657.A1 fiber to enhance flexibility and network coverage. This integrated design aims to support diverse deployment scenarios across next-generation digital infrastructure.
“Our R&D focus has always been on solving the most complex challenges of the future,” said Dr. Badri Gomatam, Chief Technology Officer at STL. “With the launch of Hollow Core Fiber cable, we are providing the ‘speed-of-light’ infrastructure required for the AI revolution.”
Industry observers note that hollow core fiber technology is gaining traction globally as a potential evolution in optical networking. By minimizing interaction between light and glass, the technology can deliver faster transmission speeds and improved signal integrity compared to traditional fiber systems.
The launch also positions STL among a limited group of companies globally working toward the commercialization of hollow-core fiber solutions. The company said the development is backed by its broader research and innovation efforts, supported by a portfolio of over 780 patents.
As demand for AI-ready infrastructure accelerates, particularly in large-scale data center environments, STL’s HCF technology is expected to play a role in enabling faster, more efficient network architectures both within India and in global markets.
