HFCL launches groundbreaking IBR Cables to supercharge UK connectivity

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HFCL launches groundbreaking IBR Cables to supercharge UK connectivity

HFCL launches groundbreaking IBR Cables to supercharge UK connectivity

Industry News
Sep 22,23

HFCL Limited has unveiled its groundbreaking Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) Cables in the United Kingdom to tap into both urban and rural markets within the UK.

HFCL launches groundbreaking IBR Cables to supercharge UK connectivity

HFCL Limited, a renowned technology enterprise and an integrated provider of cutting-edge communication products and solutions, has unveiled its groundbreaking Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) Cables in the United Kingdom (UK). This strategic move aligns with HFCL's global expansion strategy and aims to tap into both urban and rural markets within the UK, fostering the adoption of 5G and FTTP technologies and addressing the surging demand for increased bandwidth.

The core innovation behind these cables lies in the individual Intermittently Bonded Ribbons, each consisting of 12 optical fibres bonded at specific intervals along their lengths. Unlike conventional flat ribbons, these flexible IBRs can bend and adapt to the available space within a cable. By bundling groups of IBRs together, these cables offer double the fibre packing density of traditional cables within the same volume. This feature allows for the installation of higher fibre counts in narrow ducts, particularly beneficial in densely populated areas with limited space. A standout feature of this cable family is its high-productivity mass fusion splicing, enabling quicker installation and rapid restoration in case of unexpected outages.

Despite significant expansion efforts in recent years, many urban and rural communities in the UK still grapple with inadequate broadband access. While fibre networks have been deployed in most cities, a considerable portion of urban households lacks access to high-speed broadband. The primary obstacle to achieving broadband connectivity in rural areas remains limited infrastructure.

A substantial number of UK households—approximately 7 million—still lack access to broadband or mobile internet services, according to a report by the UK's Communications and Digital Committee. Additionally, Ofcom's Spring 2023 update reveals that around 68,000 UK premises lack access to decent broadband services (with speeds below 10Mbps), and nearly 435,000 properties cannot access reliable broadband through fixed-line services.

The UK Government is actively collaborating with private sector players and the digital services ecosystem and has recently launched a £40 million fund to accelerate 5G innovation and extend fibre to the premises (FTTP) access to all UK households by 2033 as part of its Project Gigabit initiative.

Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL, expressed the company's commitment to playing a pivotal role in expediting high-speed internet connectivity and fiberisation across the UK through the introduction of IBR Cables. He emphasised that HFCL's uniquely designed IBR cables are well-suited to support the UK Government's goals and accelerate 5G expansion. He highlighted HFCL's in-house R&D capabilities and expertise in creating high-quality, customised next-gen solutions quickly in response to customer needs.

Harsh Pagay, Executive President of OF & OFC at HFCL, added that the company's launch of IBR cables in the UK, a major global economy and a key market for HFCL, is an exciting development. With established teams, offices, and warehousing facilities in the UK, HFCL is dedicated to providing top-notch solutions tailored to local customer needs, thereby enhancing connectivity in densely populated areas and regions with multiple overlapping networks.

Compared to previous optical fiber cable advancements, IBR Cables represent a revolutionary product by combining small diameters with high fiber packing densities while supporting mass fusion splicing. HFCL's IBR Cables are currently available with up to 864 fibers, incorporating HFCL's world-class ITU-T compliant G.657A2/CW 1505 Cat 3 single-mode fiber. The cable's proprietary low-friction jacket enhances jetting performance in 25/20 mini ducts commonly found in congested urban environments. These IBR Cables also conform to various global cable performance standards, including the IEC 60794 series and Telcordia GR-20.

Source: freepressjournal