HFCL Launches Advanced IBR Cables and Nano Thin Microcable at ISE EXPO 2024

On August 21, 2024, HFCL Limited (HFCL) launched a range of new high-performance cable solutions at the ISE EXPO 2024 in Dallas, Texas. The company showcased its latest innovations, including a new line of high-density single-jacket single-armour Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) cables, featuring 144-1728 fibres.

This advancement earned HFCL the ISE Innovators Award. Additionally, HFCL expanded its acclaimed Nano Thin product line with a new 10.6mm diameter 864 fibre loose tube microcable.

As a leading global provider of optical fibre cables, HFCL aims to meet the evolving demands of data centres, metro networks, and FTTx deployments in North America with these advanced solutions.

The newly introduced 144-1728F Single-Jacket Single-Armor IBR Cables are the smallest, lightest, and highest-density general-purpose armoured ribbon cables available in the North American market. Their rugged armoured design makes them suitable for lashed aerial, direct buried, and duct deployments, with various fibre counts for OSP trunk and distribution applications. The patent-pending cables feature a tubeless design for easy core access and a guide notch for slitting tools, facilitating faster field splicing during installation and restoration. The use of fibreglass-composite strength members instead of steel wire enhances safety and allows for a smaller bend radius, reducing material consumption and system costs. These cables are more sustainable, with diameter reductions of up to 24% and weight reductions between 18% and 48% compared to other armoured IBR cable solutions.

HFCL also introduced a new 10.6mm diameter 864 fibre cable in its Nano Thin microcable line, designed to maximise fibre capacity in 14mm diameter microducts. This cable uses cost-effective, backward-compatible ITU G.657.A1 optical fibre and achieves a world record fibre packing density of 9.8 fibres/mm². The cable’s fill factor of 0.75 allows for rapid installation, demonstrated by a trial where 2000 metres of cable were installed in 16 minutes, at an impressive speed of 125 metres per minute.

Commenting on the launch, the Executive President of OF and OFC at HFCL, Mr Harsh Pagay, said, “For us, the North American market holds huge potential due to network deployments supporting rapid expansion in the data centre, mobile and FTTH capacities. As a prominent global manufacturer of optical fibres and optical fibre cables, we are confident that we will play a significant role in building robust networks that speed up fiberization across North America with the launch of these innovative cables. With our established team, office and warehousing facility in the USA, we are dedicated to enhancing connectivity throughout North America.”

Dr. Peter Weimann, Chief Technology Officer, OF and OFC, HFCL, said, “At HFCL, we design our optical cable solutions to directly address customer pain points. These innovative, next-gen high-density cables will deliver high-performance, installer-friendly solutions to North America, the world’s fastest-growing data centre hub. The armoured IBR cable family and the new 864-fibre microcable target different parts of the network, but both support increasing demand for high-speed connectivity, 5G expansion and linking hyper-scale data centres to end users.”

He further added, “These smaller, high-density cables will empower our customers to achieve faster installation and exceptional network performance while minimising raw materials consumption. As part of our mission to continue to build a sustainable global digital economy, HFCL also integrates eco-friendly manufacturing practices to minimise the carbon footprint while adhering to international quality standards.”

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