Thursday, 27-08-26
Artificial intelligence is increasing demand for faster and more efficient digital infrastructure. As companies build networks to support growing data requirements, hollow core fiber (HCF) is gaining attention as a potential technology for future optical communication systems.
Unlike traditional optical fiber, which sends light through a glass core, hollow core fiber uses a hollow space in the middle where light travels. The technology is designed to reduce signal loss and improve transmission speed compared with conventional fiber.
At the Optical Fiber Communication Conference (OFC) 2025 in San Francisco, hollow core fiber became one of the key topics discussed by the optical communication industry. The event attracted 16,700 attendees from 83 countries, with AI becoming one of the main themes across discussions about future network infrastructure.
What Is Hollow Core Fiber and Why Is It Gaining Attention?
Hollow core fiber has a different structure from traditional single-mode fiber. Instead of using glass as the center for transmitting light, HCF uses an air-filled core surrounded by a special fiber structure.
Andrew Lord, optics and quantum R&D lead at BT, explained that traditional fiber has continued to perform well for decades. However, he said the use of glass creates certain limitations because of signal loss caused by imperfections and impurities.
“With single-mode fiber, you're using glass to reflect glass and there are problems with that,” Lord said. “It’s very low loss, but the glass is not completely negligible. It still has imperfections and impurities, so it still causes attenuation of the signal.”
Lord explained that hollow core fiber could help address these limitations because the center of the fiber does not contain glass.
“Hollow core is disruptive because there's nothing in the middle,” he said. “If there's no glass, there are no impurities. So you would hope to be able to make a fiber that could go further, for longer distances.”
The technology has existed for more than 20 years, but interest in HCF has increased as industries look for network solutions that can support higher data demands.
Jason Eichenholz, founder and CEO of Relativity Networks, said hollow core fiber offers performance improvements compared with traditional fiber.
“With hollow core fiber, light travels 50 percent faster,” Eichenholz told DCD.
He explained that the technology could provide around 33% lower latency by using an air core instead of relying on light transmission through glass.
How Hollow Core Fiber Supports AI and Future Networks
The growth of AI is increasing demand for networks that can move larger amounts of data with lower delays. At OFC 2025, industry participants discussed how optical technologies could help prepare infrastructure for future AI workloads.
Relativity Networks, a company focused on providing fiber solutions including hollow core fiber, said the technology has potential applications in data centers.
Jason Eichenholz said hollow core fiber could support real-world applications, especially in environments where latency and speed are important.
“The challenge is that in the market there's an insatiable demand for hollow core fiber,” Eichenholz said.
He added that hollow core fiber has opportunities in data center infrastructure and could support future network development.
However, industry leaders do not expect HCF to replace all existing fiber networks.
Andrew Lord from BT said replacing current fiber infrastructure globally would not be practical because of the cost involved. Instead, he said hollow core fiber is better suited for specific applications.
“Does anybody here think that the use case here is a complete wholesale swap out of existing fiber for a new hollow core fiber? I don't think so,” Lord said.
Lord suggested that HCF could support future Radio Access Networks (RAN), reduce latency, improve network resilience, and potentially support quantum networks and subsea cables.
Hollow core fiber is also being explored for optical network systems. Edward Englehart, VP of engineering and head of subsystems at Nokia Optical Networks, said the technology could provide several advantages.
“Hollow core can really bring some key application advantages and some really interesting technology advantages that will drive the OLS and where we're going with the OLS,” Englehart said.
He highlighted improvements including lower latency, higher power transmission capability, and reduced signal impairments.
Hollow Core Fiber Market Growth and Industry Opportunities
The growing need for high-performance networks is supporting the development of the hollow core fiber market.
According to the market report provided, the global hollow-core fibers market was valued at $352.08 million in 2025. The market is projected to reach $386.06 million in 2026 and $969.92 million by 2035, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.65% during the forecast period.
Optical communications remain the largest application area for hollow core fiber. The market report stated that optical communications accounted for the largest share of usage, with more than 1.3 million kilometers of hollow core fiber installed in 2023.
The technology is also being explored in other sectors, including sensors, medical devices, aerospace, defense, and quantum communication.
The report identified glass-based hollow core fibers as the dominant segment, accounting for 72% of global market volume in 2023. These fibers are mainly used in telecommunications and defense applications because of their signal performance and thermal stability.
The market growth is also connected to increasing investment in research and development. The report stated that more than 240 public and private R&D institutions were involved in developing hollow core fiber-based solutions as of 2024.
Challenges Limiting Wider Hollow Core Fiber Adoption
Although interest in hollow core fiber continues to grow, the technology still faces challenges before wider deployment.
Manufacturing scale remains one of the biggest barriers. Traditional fiber has been produced for decades at large volumes, while hollow core fiber requires more complex fabrication processes.
Andrew Lord from BT explained that producing fiber with a hollow center is not simple.
“The standard fiber has been around 40 years. People know how to make it in massive volumes,” Lord said. “And I mean, just the fabrication of a fiber with a hole in the middle is not trivial.”
Cost is another challenge. According to the market report, hollow core fiber production remains more expensive because of manufacturing complexity and limited commercial-scale fabrication facilities.
The report stated that only 14 commercial fabrication units worldwide were capable of producing hollow core fiber at scale in 2023.
Industry adoption also depends on improving compatibility with existing network systems. The market report highlighted standardization gaps and integration challenges with legacy fiber infrastructure as factors affecting wider deployment.
Companies Exploring Hollow Core Fiber Technology
Several companies and organizations are continuing to develop and test hollow core fiber solutions.
Microsoft acquired UK-based hollow core fiber company Lumenisity Limited in 2022. Lumenisity was established to commercialize hollow core fiber technologies developed through research at the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton.
Relativity Networks is also developing hollow core fiber technology and has partnered with the University of Central Florida to advance the technology. The company specializes in providing fiber solutions, including hollow core fiber, for its clients.
At OFC 2025, Nokia highlighted the potential role of hollow core fiber in future optical network systems. Meanwhile, discussions at the event also explored possible applications in subsea cables.
Alexis Carbo Meseguer, system design representative at Alcatel Submarine Networks, said hollow core fiber could become a potential option for future submarine cable systems.
“Under power constraints, it could be interesting, but also the fact that this fiber has no linearities, so it can help to adopt multi-band systems,” Meseguer said. “But it's not a mature technology at all.”
As companies continue developing the technology, hollow core fiber remains an emerging solution being considered for specific high-performance networking applications.
This article is a summary of two original articles. The full versions can be read at the following links:
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/hollow-core-fiber-what-is-it-and-why-does-it-matter/
https://www.marketgrowthreports.com/market-reports/hollow-core-fibers-market-113599
PHOTO: MICROSOFT
This article was created with AI assistance.
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