The Future of Internet Speed: Hollow-Core Fibre Promises Faster, Greener Connections

Hollow-Core Fibre (HCF) is redefining optical transmission by enabling ultra-low latency, higher bandwidth, and reduced signal loss compared to conventional glass fibres. It represents a paradigm shift in telecom and data infrastructure, with major players like Microsoft Azure and VIAVI already scaling production and testing solutions.

The leading researchers and companies behind Hollow-Core Fibre (HCF) technology include the University of Southampton, Microsoft Azure, Corning, and Heraeus. These groups are at the forefront of developing, scaling, and commercializing HCF for next-generation optical transmission.  

What Makes HCF Revolutionary

• Speed Advantage: Light travels ~30% faster in air than in glass, giving HCF up to 45% faster signal transmission.
• Lower Latency: HCF reduces latency by ~30%, critical for financial trading, cloud computing, and AI workloads.
• Reduced Loss: Attenuation is ~35% lower than standard fibres, meaning signals travel longer distances without amplification.
• Dispersion Control: Chromatic dispersion is cut by up to 70%, improving signal integrity for high-capacity links.
• Energy Efficiency: Less need for repeaters and amplifiers reduces power consumption, aligning with sustainability goals.

Comparison: Conventional Fibre vs Hollow-Core Fibre

Feature	Conventional Glass Fibre	Hollow-Core Fibre (HCF)
Signal Medium	Solid silica core	Air-filled hollow core
Transmission Speed	~30% slower than air	Nearly speed of light in air
Latency	Higher	~30% lower
Attenuation (Signal Loss)	Stable but limited improvement	~35% lower
Chromatic Dispersion	Significant	Up to 70% reduced
Energy Use	High (repeaters needed)	Lower (fewer repeaters)
Applications	General telecom	AI, cloud, finance, ultra-low latency networks

Applications & Outlook

• Telecom & Internet Backbones: Faster, more reliable long-haul links.
• Cloud & AI Workloads: Microsoft Azure is scaling HCF to support massive data throughput.
• Financial Trading: Millisecond-level latency reduction can transform high-frequency trading.
• Specialty Environments: Precision photonics, quantum communication, and secure military networks.

Challenges & Risks

• Manufacturing Complexity: HCF requires advanced fabrication (photonic bandgap, anti-resonant designs).
• Integration Issues: Compatibility with existing fibre infrastructure is still evolving.
• Polarization Stability: Environmental perturbations can cause drift, though new antiresonant designs are addressing this.
• Cost: Currently higher than conventional fibre, but expected to drop as scaling improves.

Maharashtra Becomes 1st State to Partner with Starlink for Rural Connectivity

Maharashtra has officially become the first Indian state to sign a partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite internet, marking a major step in bridging the digital divide across rural and underserved regions. The agreement was formalized on November 5, 2025, through a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed in Mumbai.

Key highlights of the partnership

• Historic first: Maharashtra is the first state in India to partner with Starlink, positioning itself as a pioneer in satellite-based connectivity.
• Digital Maharashtra mission: The collaboration supports the state’s flagship initiative to make the state future-ready by expanding internet access to remote communities.
• High-speed, low-latency internet: Starlink’s satellite technology will deliver fast, reliable internet to areas where traditional telecom infrastructure is limited or absent.
• Focus areas:
  • Rural education: e-learning platforms and school connectivity
  • Telemedicine: remote diagnostics and healthcare access
  • Government services: digital governance and citizen services
  • Disaster resilience: coastal development and emergency connectivity

Who was involved

• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: Led the signing ceremony, highlighting transformative potential for state development.
• Lauren Dreyer (Starlink VP): Attended the event in Mumbai, underscoring Starlink’s commitment to India.
• Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd: The Indian arm that signed the LOI.

Strategic implications

• Complementary to telecom: Meant to fill connectivity gaps rather than replace existing providers.
• Digital inclusion: Expected to reduce the digital divide and enable access to education, e-commerce, and government services.
• Global signal: Indicates India’s openness to next-gen satellite internet solutions and may spur other states to follow.

---

Broader context

• Last-mile connectivity: Addresses persistent access challenges in rural and tribal regions.
• LEO constellation: Uses low-Earth orbit satellites to leapfrog infrastructure hurdles and accelerate adoption.
• Alignment with DPI: Complements India’s digital public infrastructure like Aadhaar, UPI, and BharatNet.

Summary

Maharashtra’s deal with Starlink is a landmark move that could redefine rural connectivity in India, serving as a test case for integrating satellite internet with national digital strategies.

Starlink Begins Hiring in India, Sets Bengaluru as Hub Ahead of 2026 Broadband Launch

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, opens finance and compliance roles in Bengaluru as it seeks DoT approvals, gateway stations, and prepares to challenge Jio Satellite and OneWeb in India’s fast-emerging satellite broadband market.  

Key highlights

• Hiring drive: Payments manager, accounting manager, senior treasury analyst, and tax manager.
• Location: Bengaluru as the operational hub in India.
• Launch timeline: Commercial satellite broadband rollout targeted for early 2026, subject to approvals.

Regulatory and infrastructure plans

• Licensing: Working with India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on approvals and security requirements.
• Gateway stations: Permissions sought for three ground stations in Mumbai, Chennai, and Noida.
• Competition: Facing Jio Satellite (Reliance Jio) and OneWeb (Bharti-backed) in the Indian market.

Strategic importance

• Market potential: LEO satellites to deliver low-latency, high-speed connectivity to underserved rural regions.
• Global expansion: India positioned as a critical growth market.
• Investor signal: Shift from regulatory negotiations to on-ground operational buildout.

Who’s behind it

• Parent company: SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk.
• Global footprint: Starlink operates across numerous countries with a rapidly growing subscriber base.

Takeaway

Starlink’s India hiring marks a strategic milestone—building a local finance and compliance backbone in Bengaluru, pursuing gateway approvals, and aiming for a 2026 launch to compete with Jio and OneWeb in satellite broadband.

From Mumbai to Kolkata: Starlink to Establish 9 Gateway Stations Across India

Starlink is gearing up for its satellite internet debut in India by establishing nine gateway earth stations across key cities. This infrastructure is crucial for enabling high-speed, low-latency satellite broadband access nationwide—even in remote areas with limited mobile coverage.

Key Highlights

• Cities targeted: Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and others
• Purpose: These stations will serve as ground infrastructure to connect Starlink’s Gen 1 satellite constellation with users across India
• Spectrum access: Starlink has applied for 600 Gbps capacity and received provisional spectrum clearance to begin testing
• Regulatory status: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allowed Starlink to import 100 satellite terminals for testing
• Launch timeline: Full-scale rollout expected by late 2025 or early 2026

Gateway Station Deployment Overview

Feature	Details
Number of Stations	9 planned across major cities
Cities Identified	Mumbai, Noida, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh, and Kolkata among others
Purpose	To connect Starlink’s satellite constellation to India’s terrestrial internet backbone
Spectrum Clearance	Provisional approval for 600 Gbps capacity from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
Terminal Imports	100 satellite user terminals approved for testing (not commercial use)
Launch Timeline	Commercial rollout expected in late 2025 or early 2026
Regulatory Status	Awaiting full licensing under India’s new satellite communication framework

Strategic Implications

• Rural Connectivity Boost: Enables coverage in remote and underserved areas, bypassing the need for fiber or mobile towers
• Competitive Landscape: Starlink will compete with Bharti-backed OneWeb and Jio’s satellite JV with SES
• Security & Sovereignty: Government monitoring for compliance with national security and data localization norms
• Tech Stack: Gen 1 satellites use Ku-band; Gen 2 may introduce laser interlinks and higher throughput

This move positions India as a major market for Starlink’s global expansion, potentially transforming connectivity for underserved regions.

Last month, Starlink received trial spectrum clearance from the DoT to conduct tests at its Navi Mumbai terminal. Starlink has applied for high-capacity spectrum (600 Gbps Spectrum Request) to support its Gen 1 satellite constellation.

The company has received approval to import 100 satellite terminals for testing purposes. Services are expected to begin by early 2026, pending final SATCOM licensing and spectrum allotment.

Starlink Begins Internet Trials in Navi Mumbai, Plans 20 Satellite Hubs Across India

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink, is gearing up for a major infrastructure push in India. Starlink has received trial spectrum clearance from the DoT to conduct tests at its Navi Mumbai terminal. These tests aim to meet security compliance and regulatory standards before commercial rollout.

This move positions Starlink to compete with players like Jio-SES and Eutelsat OneWeb, who are also racing to build satellite broadband infrastructure in India.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia publicly confirmed that Starlink has received its operating license to launch satellite internet services in India. He shared details of his meeting with Gwynne Shotwell, President & COO of SpaceX, calling it a “great start to the journey”.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted temporary spectrum approval, allowing Starlink to begin trial runs and set up ground stations across India.

20 Earth Stations Planned

• Starlink plans to set up 20 earth stations across India, including Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai.
• Three sites are already under construction.
• Deployment will require at least 50,000 user terminals imported from Texas, LA, and Seattle.

Regulatory Landscape

• Starlink holds a GMPCS licence and has IN-SPACe authorization to operate satellites in India.
• DoT and TRAI are still finalizing spectrum pricing and long-term licensing terms.

Comparison Table: Satellite Internet Players in India

Company	Key Moves	Status
Starlink	20 earth stations, Navi Mumbai trials	Testing phase
Jio-SES	Joint venture with SES for satellite broadband	Infrastructure buildout underway
Eutelsat OneWeb	Merger completed, targeting enterprise and rural markets	Operational in select regions

Interestingly, Jio has signed a strategic agreement with SpaceX to integrate Starlink into its broadband ecosystem. The partnership aims to extend Jio’s reach into underserved regions and offer Starlink hardware via Jio retail outlets.

Airtel has also inked an agreement with SpaceX to bring Starlink’s high-speed internet to its customers in India. The collaboration explores retail distribution, enterprise solutions, and rural connectivity, pending SpaceX’s full commercial authorization.

Starlink has identified 17 ground station sites across India and is working with data center operators like Equinix, Sify, and CtrlS.

Expected pricing includes — ₹30,000–₹35,000 one-time equipment cost. And, ₹3,000–₹4,200 monthly subscription fee. 

Internet speeds will range from 25 Mbps to 220 Mbps. 

ACT Fibernet Collaborates with Amazon Prime to Offer Prime Lite Benefits to Consumers

Combining fast internet with the best of entertainment, shipping and shopping benefits, ACT Fibernet, India’s prominent wired Internet Service Provider, has partnered with Amazon Prime to launch new Prime Lite plans, delivering unparalleled value.

These new plans provide customers with seamless, high-speed internet coupled with unlimited access to premium entertainment through Prime Video. With Prime Lite subscriptions, members can enjoy unparalleled entertainment from Prime Video’s extensive library of award-winning and blockbuster Indian and international Originals, TV shows, movies, and more, on a single device of their choice, in HD quality. Prime members also enjoy benefits like free unlimited Same-Day/Next-Day delivery, special access to everyday Prime offers, exclusive access to shopping events like Prime Day, and early access to Amazon Great Indian Festival.

With these new plans, customers will continue to enjoy Amazon Prime for as long as they stay subscribed to the eligible ACT plan.

Naveen Nahar, ACT, VP, head of brands, content and partnerships, “At ACT Fibernet, our brand promise is simple — Feel the Advantage. It’s about going beyond fast internet to deliver real, everyday value to our customers. With the launch of Amazon Prime Lite on our platform, we’re giving our users the best of entertainment, shopping, and convenience — all in one seamless experience. Whether its world class shows, free express deliveries, or early access to deals, this partnership ensures our customers don’t just stay connected, they stay ahead.”

“At Prime Video, we remain committed to offering easy and convenient access to our much-loved Originals, movies, series, and more to customers across India,” said Shilangi Mukherji, Director & Head, SVOD Business, Prime Video, India. “This strategic collaboration with ACT Fibernet not only simplifies access to Prime Video's extensive content selection but also delivers other shopping & shipping benefits of Prime Lite, like unlimited free ‘Same-day/Next-Day’ delivery across millions of products, early access to exclusive deals, and much more."

The new plans are available to all ACT customers - both new and existing - who subscribe for 6 months or longer.

Below is a list of cities and their corresponding starting rates for Prime Lite with ACT Plans:

S.No	City	ACT x Amazon Plans Starting from:
1	Delhi	₹ 700
2	Jaipur	₹ 699
3	Lucknow	₹ 699
4	Ahmedabad	₹ 699
5	Hyderabad	₹ 798
6	Andhra Pradesh	₹ 778
7	Pune	₹ 998
8	Hosur	₹ 999
9	Tumkur	₹ 999
10	Tamil Nadu	₹ 749
11	Bangalore	₹ 949
12	Warangal	₹ 789
13	Ghaziabad	? 700

Elon Musk's Starlink’s ₹840 Internet: Affordable Plans, Pricey Setup

Reports suggest that Starlink may introduce unlimited data plans in India at a promotional price of under ₹840 per month. This aggressive pricing strategy aims to attract a large user base quickly, despite high spectrum and licensing costs.

However, the hardware costs could be a hurdle—Starlink kits are priced between ₹21,300 and ₹32,400, making them significantly more expensive than traditional broadband options in India. While Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES have already secured regulatory approvals, Starlink is still awaiting final clearance from IN-SPACe, India's space regulatory body.

Another challenge is capacity constraints—India's geographic satellite coverage is estimated at only 0.7% to 0.8% of global satellite capacity, meaning only 700 to 800 satellites would cover the country at any given time.

If Starlink manages to overcome these hurdles, it could be a game-changer for rural and remote connectivity in India.

Starlink is still awaiting final approval from IN-SPACe, India’s space regulatory body, before it can officially launch.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed steep fees, including a ₹500 annual urban user charge, a 4% levy on adjusted gross revenue (AGR), and a minimum annual fee of ₹3,500 per MHz of satellite spectrum.

India’s geographic satellite coverage is estimated at only 0.7% to 0.8% of global satellite capacity, meaning only 700 to 800 satellites would cover the country at any given time.

Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio-SES have already secured regulatory approvals and could challenge Starlink’s market entry.

Despite the ₹840 monthly plan, satellite broadband in India is still 7 to 18 times more expensive than conventional fiber broadband services.

Elon Musk's SpaceX Inks Deal With Airtel to Launch Starlink Satellite in India

Bharti Airtel has signed a deal with Elon Musk's SpaceX to launch Starlink satellite internet in India. This partnership aims to bring high-speed internet to even the most remote parts of the country, enhancing connectivity for businesses, schools, health centers, and communities.

The collaboration will also explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel's offerings, utilizing Airtel's ground network infrastructure.

This move comes after the Indian government sided with Musk on the spectrum allocation issue, favoring administrative allocation over auctions. The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals for SpaceX to operate Starlink in India.

Airtel and SpaceX will explore offering Starlink equipment in Airtel's retail stores and providing Starlink services to business customers. They also plan to use Starlink to bring high-speed internet to rural schools, health centers, and remote areas.

Additionally, the Airtel-Starlink collaboration will explore how Starlink can complement and expand Airtel's offerings, utilizing Airtel's ground network infrastructure. This includes leveraging Airtel's expertise in the Indian market to enhance SpaceX's direct offerings to consumers and businesses.

By adding Starlink to its portfolio, Airtel aims to expand its coverage into regions with little to no internet. This will provide businesses and communities in remote areas with more choices for high-speed internet connectivity, thereby improving their digital experience.

Gopal Vittal, Managing Director and Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting its significance in bringing next-generation satellite connectivity to India.

Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX, emphasized the transformative impact Starlink can bring to the people of India and praised the collaboration with Airtel.

Starlink delivers high-speed, low-latency internet to users all over the world. As the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit, Starlink delivers broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.  Starlink is engineered and operated by SpaceX. As the world’s leading provider of launch services, SpaceX is leveraging its deep experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations to deploy the world’s most advanced broadband internet system.

Vodafone Idea with Asianet Launch Integrated Fiber, Mobility Service in Kerala

Vodafone Idea (Vi) on Wednesday launched its integrated fiber and mobility service in Kerala in partnership with broadband provider Asianet.

This strategic partnership aims to enhance connectivity for users in the region. Asianet's high-speed fibernet technology combined with Vi's broadband plans ensures seamless internet access, catering to various needs. Whether you're browsing casually or handling high-bandwidth tasks, these services offer reliable and fast connections.

Vi One is a bundled service offered by Vodafone Idea (Vi) that combines fiber broadband and prepaid mobile connectivity. Vi One will be available in Kerala at two data speed categories 40MBPS and 100MBPS.

The three-month plan with 40MBPS broadband speed has been priced at Rs 2,499, while the annual plan is available at Rs 9,555. For customers who want faster speed, the three- month 100MBPS plan is priced at Rs 3,399, while the annual plan will cost Rs 12,955.

Vi One includes access to three OTT subscriptions. Users enjoy internet access from 12 midnight to 6 am without deducting data from their daily quota.

The Vi One plans start at ₹2,192, making it an attractive option for users seeking combined broadband and mobile services.

For the 1st Time, The Incredible Amazon Rainforest Gets Fiber Broadband Network

Known as the 'Lungs of the Earth' and the world's largest rain forest — Amazon Rainforest — has been equipped with a fiber broadband network. This groundbreaking project was carried out by Nokia in partnership with Global Fiber Peru, and the network is deployed underwater. 

Since Amazon has the world's largest river system and the most biologically diverse place on Earth containing millions of species, most of them still undescribed, the fiber cables used for subaquatic deployment are specially designed to withstand the underwater environment, including pressure, temperature variations, and potential damage from wildlife or natural occurrences.

The deployment of this subaquatic optical, IP, and XGS-PON fiber broadband network is a significant step towards bridging the digital divide in the incredible Amazon region.

The network is set to connect over 400 communities and more than 500,000 users across the heart of the Amazon rainforest, particularly in the three-border region shared by Peru, Colombia, and Brazil. This includes the localities of Iquitos and Santa Rosa de Yaraví in Peru, Leticia in Colombia, and Tabatinga in Brazil, which now have access to ultra-fast, multi-gigabit broadband services.

Dubbed as "Amazon Fiber", the first mega project with a deployment that has more than 1,600 km of subfluvial fiber optics, this initiative is expected to have a profound impact on the social, economic, and educational development of the region, providing high-quality internet access to thousands of people for the first time.

The deployment of the fiber network underwater in the Amazon Rainforest was a complex process that involved several steps and specialized equipment. Before laying the fiber cables, a detailed survey of the riverbed is conducted to determine the best route and identify any potential obstacles.

The fiber cable is laid on the riverbed using specialized ships or barges equipped with cable-laying gear. The process is carefully monitored to ensure the cable follows the planned route and is laid down smoothly. Once the cable is in place, it may be buried under the riverbed for additional protection or covered with protective materials to prevent damage.

After the cable is laid, it is connected to the network on land, and extensive testing is conducted to ensure the integrity and performance of the connection.

Nokia said that regular maintenance is required to ensure the network remains operational. This can include inspections and repairs if any part of the network is damaged or degraded. Underwater networks are more challenging to access for maintenance and repairs. Any issues that arise require specialized equipment and trained personnel to address them.

Technology Stack

In the case of Nokia's project with Global Fiber Peru, the companies deployed a complete solution that included their 1830 Photonic Service Switch (PSS), 7750 service routers, 7250 interconnect routers, 7210 services access systems (SAS), network service platform (NSP), FX 8 and FX 16 optical line terminals (OLT), fiber optical network terminals (ONTs), and Nokia Beacon 1 devices to ensure a premium Wi-Fi experience within customer premises.

The deployment was made in collaboration with FYCO, a local partner specialized in fiber telecom networks in Latin America. They also provided training, professional services, and maintenance services as part of the project.

This project is a significant achievement as it bridges a considerable digital gap in remote areas previously inaccessible by traditional means. It's a testament to the advancements in technology and the commitment to providing connectivity even in the most challenging environments.

In India, 5G Data Consumption 4-Times Faster than 4G – Nokia Report

Nokia report reveals 5G data consumption four times faster than 4G in India

• 5G users on average consume up to 3.6x more data compared to 4G users.
• With a CAGR of 26 percent in the last five years, mobile data traffic in India reached 17.4 Exa Bytes per month in 2023.
• Nearly 17% of total active 4G devices in India are 5G capable.

Nokia has just published the findings of its annual Indian market focused Mobile Broadband Index (MBiT), which revealed that 5G users are using approximately 3.6 times as much mobile data traffic compared to 4G since October 2022. In 2023, users consumed 17.4 exabytes per month with a CAGR of 26 percent over the past five years. The launch of 5G has emerged as a significant catalyst for the growth in data usage, contributing to 15 percent of all data traffic in 2023.

The 11th edition of MBiT report highlights a paradigm shift in the Indian mobile data landscape driven by the growing adoption of 5G technology. 5G traffic has shown substantial growth across all telecom circles, with metro circles leading the charge and reaching a 20 percent share in the overall mobile data traffic. Enhanced 5G availability and performance, coupled with the availability of affordable devices, as well as the introduction of new data-intensive apps and services will accelerate future 5G growth. The average monthly data traffic per user also surged by 24 percent year-on-year in 2023, reaching 24.1 gigabytes per user per month.

The rise of 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) will also serve as a key enabler for new services in both the home and business with FWA users expected to consume an estimated 2.5 times more data than average 5G users. The 5G device ecosystem in India is rapidly evolving, with approximately 17 percent of active 4G devices, totalling 134 million out of 796 million, now being 5G capable.

The Nokia MBiT 2024 report also highlights that the years leading up to 2030 will produce major shifts in technology, leading to new opportunities and a digitized and programmable world. The key technology themes shaping the world in 2030 will include the Metaverse, AI/ML, Cloud, and Web 3.0 among others.

Tarun Chhabra, Head of Mobile Networks Business, India at Nokia, said, “The report shows the incredible proliferation of 5G technology across India and the increasing demand for super-fast 5G data speeds. Nokia looks forward to continuing to work together with our operator partners to help them meet customer demand.”

*an Exabyte is equal to 1,000 petabytes; one Petabyte is equal to 1,000 Terabytes

Key highlights of MBiT Index 2024

• Mobile data traffic in India reached 17.4 EB per month in 2023 with a CAGR of 26% over the last five years
• Average mobile data per user grew to 24.1 GB per month with a y-o-y growth of 24%
• Solid growth in mobile data traffic across all circles with 5G’s traffic share in metros reaching 20%
• 5G users on average consume up to 3.6x more data compared to 4G users; 5G FWA users consume up to 2.5x more data compared to normal 5G users
• 5G device ecosystem in India is evolving at a fast pace, with around 17% of the active 4G devices are 5G capable
• Technologies associated with the Metaverse, AI/ML, Cloud and Web 3.0 will have some of the greatest impact towards 2030.

Resources

Webpage: Nokia AirScale Cloud RAN
Webpage: Nokia anyRAN
Webpage: Nokia AirScale Baseband
Report: MBiT index 2024

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Nokia Launches New 25G PON Fiber Modem for True 10Gbs Speeds and Beyond

• New 25G PON fiber modem from Nokia helps operators unlock additional revenue streams through new premium residential, business, and mobile services.
• 25G PON provides the easiest, most cost-effective, and power-efficient way to upgrade current GPON and 10G PON networks.
• New 25G PON ONT delivers 20x more bandwidth than current gigabit solutions while keeping the same size and energy efficiency.
• 25G PON allows operators to connect fiber to everything using the same fiber infrastructure to deliver enhanced services and grow revenue.

Nokia has just announced the launch of a new, symmetrical 25G PON fiber modem. Helping to further accelerate 25G PON deployments, the compact solution can easily be installed on a wall, inside a building, or in an outdoor enclosure to immediately deliver internet speeds that are 20x faster than current gigabit solutions. Once deployed, operators can leverage their existing fiber network to offer new premium residential, business, or anyhaul services that unlock additional revenue streams.

Demand for high-speed broadband access is accelerating with end-users increasingly seeking quality multi-gigabit services to power their homes and businesses. From the Metaverse and cloud gaming to cyber security, and Industry 4.0 applications, users want multi-gigabit services that can meet their evolving broadband needs.

 

Nokia’s new 25G PON fiber modem allows operators to establish a future-ready network that can immediately address the growing demand for more capacity and enhanced broadband services. The new 25G PON solution enables operators to quickly upgrade their existing GPON or XGS PON network to deliver true 10Gbs speeds and beyond with unprecedented ease. For enterprises, this can help significantly improve business productivity and enhance connectivity to the cloud or value-added applications located in data centers. For consumers and power users, the solution provides immediate access to additional capacity needed to support bandwidth-hungry applications such as AI, gaming, or security.

Geert Heyninck, General Manager of Broadband Networks at Nokia, said: “The 25G PON eco-system is growing and with it, the technology that continues to bring concrete business benefits to customers. The market for 25G PON is here and with the new fiber modem, we have a very efficient 25G solution that can support all types of services and applications in the fiber-for-everything era. 25G PON continues to be the easiest, most cost-effective and power-efficient way for services providers to upgrade and maximize the use of their existing fiber network to deliver ultra-fast broadband access.”

Jeff Heynen, Vice President, Broadband Access and Home Networking at Dell’Oro Group, said: “25G PON deployments and the 25GS-PON MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) Group has grown substantially over the past year. One of the driving factors for the growing interest in 25GS-PON is its ability to coexist with GPON and XGS-PON without having to deploy additional feeder fiber, splitters, or other ODN elements. This past year we’ve seen large operators like Google indicate plans to make 25G PON service available to its customers while the MSA continues to expand, encompassing a diverse range of service providers, equipment vendors, and component suppliers.”

The new 25G PON fiber modem complements Nokia’s growing 25G PON portfolio, which includes the Lightspan FX, DF and MF fiber access platforms (OLTs) and the industry’s first 25G PON sealed fiber access node designed for cable operators.

25 PON ONT product details:

• Coexistence with GPON, XGS-PON and 50G PON on the same ODN
• Hardened and compact design for various deployment practices and environments
• Symmetrical 25 Gb/s throughput using pluggable optics
• Frequency and time-of-day synchronization functions for mobile transport
• Can be used to connect cell sites to transport mobile traffic over PON network in plug-and-play mode, delivering the required capacity, latency and synchronization required for 5G networks.
• Supports demarcation point functions for enterprise and wholesale services.

Resources and additional information

• Webpage: Nokia 25G ONT
• Webpage: Lightspan FX
• Webpage: Lightspan SF-8M sealed fiber access node
• Webpage: Lightspan MF fiber platform
• Webpage: 25G PON

Eutelsat OneWeb Gets India's Approval for Satellite Broadband Services

Eutelsat OneWeb first to receive approval from Indian space regulator for satellite broadband services

Eutelsat OneWeb has received the necessary authorisations from IN-SPACe to launch its commercial satellite broadband services in India. This authorisation means Eutelsat OneWeb can launch commercial connectivity services as soon as spectrum allocation has been granted by the Indian Government. 

OneWeb India has today received the necessary authorisations from IN-SPACe to launch Eutelsat OneWeb’s commercial satellite broadband services in India. OneWeb India is the first organisation to be granted this authorisation.  Eutelsat OneWeb, the low earth orbit operator, is part of Eutelsat Group.

IN-SPACe is the agency of the Government of India, responsible for regulating space activities and granting authorisation for conducting the space activities in the country. This authorisation means Eutelsat OneWeb can launch commercial connectivity services as soon as spectrum allocation has been granted by the Government.

Bharti Group Chairman and Vice-President (Co-Chair) of the Board of Directors of Eutelsat Group, Sunil Bharti Mittal, said: “We are pleased to note the Indian space regulator’s green light to launch Eutelsat OneWeb’s commercial satellite broadband services in India. This will be a critical step forward to meet India’s ambition of providing internet connectivity for all and will enable the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Digital India. Eutelsat OneWeb is ready to deploy as soon as it receives the final spectrum authorization to launch commercial services.”

Cyril Dujardin, Co-General Manager of Connectivity at Eutelsat Group, said: “Bridging the connectivity gap around the world requires collaboration across business but also with governments and regulators. We are pleased to have received these approvals from the space regulator that bring the country a significant step closer to providing high speed connectivity to even the most remote locations. Having completed our LEO constellation last year, we are perfectly placed to deliver this vital connectivity service to businesses across India.”

This news adds to Eutelsat OneWeb’s existing strong position in the Indian market, where OneWeb India already holds the necessary licences from the Department of Telecommunications to provide broadband services using satellite connectivity. The business has also obtained in principle approval to establish and operate two gateways in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, which would secure the provision of vital high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to customers across India, once services are rolled out.

With 1200 GB/s Speed, China Launches World's Fastest Internet

China claims to have launched the world's first ultra-high-speed next-generation Internet backbone with a bandwidth of 1,200 GB per second (1.2 Terrabytes), reported China’s national daily Xinhuanet.

The speed of 1.2 TB per second means one can download more than 100 movies within a second.

Jointly developed by Tsinghua University, Huawei Technologies Co., China Mobile Ltd., and CERNET.com, this ultra-high-speed next-generation Internet backbone has a 3,000 kilometer (1,860-mile) internet network linking Beijing to the south, which China is touting as its latest technological breakthrough.

China claim it as the world's first internet network to achieve a "stable and reliable" bandwidth of 1.2 terabits per second, several times faster than typical speeds around the world. Trials began July 31 and it's since passed various tests verifying that milestone, the university said in a statement.

China started trials of its ambitious – Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, on July 31 this year. FITI is built by 40 Chinese universities including the Tsinghua University. FITI has been running stably and reliably, successfully passing various tests.

Tsinghua, Chinese President Xi Jinping's alma mater, is plugging the project as an industry-first built entirely on homegrown technology, and credits Huawei prominently in its statement.

The FITI backbone is operated based on China's domestically-owned key technologies such as the next-generation Internet core router 1.2T ultra-high-speed IPv6 interface and the ultra-high-speed multi-path aggregation. Both the software and hardware of the FITI backbone are made domestically.

Jio Demos India’s 1st Satellite-based Gigabit Broadband To Connect The Remotest Corners Of India

Jio provides fully inclusive broadband through JioFiber, JioAirFiber, and now JioSpaceFiber

Jio to connect everything everywhere across land, air, sea & space

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, the world’s largest private mobile data network, successfully demonstrated India’s first satellite-based giga fiber service to provide high speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies within India. Jio demonstrated its new satellite broadband, called JioSpaceFiber, at India Mobile Congress on Friday. The service will be available across the length and breadth of the country at highly affordable prices.

Today, Jio delivers high speed broadband fixed line and wireless services to over 450 million Indian consumers. To accelerate digital inclusivity for every household in India, Jio has added JioSpaceFiber to its premier lineup of broadband services, JioFiber and JioAirFiber. With Jio, consumers and businesses have unprecedented access to reliable, low latency and high- speed internet and entertainment services, regardless of location. The satellite network will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul, further enhancing the availability and scale of Jio True5G in the remotest parts of the country.

Jio is partnering with SES to access the world’s latest in medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, the only MEO constellation capable of delivering truly unique Gigabit, fiber-like services from space. With Jio having access to a combination of SES’s O3b and new O3b mPOWER satellites, it is the only company that offers game-changing technology, providing scalable and affordable broadband across all of India with a level of guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is a first in the industry. 

To demonstrate its power and reach, four of the remotest locations in India have already 
been connected with JioSpaceFiber:

• Gir Gujarat
• Korba Chattisgarh
• Nabrangpur Odissa
• ONGC-Jorhat Assam

“Jio has enabled millions of homes and businesses in India to experience broadband internet for the first time. With JioSpaceFiber, we expand our reach to cover the millions yet to be connected,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited. “JioSpaceFiber will allow everyone, everywhere, to fully participate in the new digital society with gigabit access to online government, education, health, and entertainment services.”

“Together with Jio, we are honoured to support the Government of India's Digital India initiative with a unique solution that aims at delivering multiple gigabits per second of throughput to any location in India,” said John-Paul Hemingway, Chief Strategy Officer at SES. “Our first fiber-like services from space are already deployed today in parts of India, and we cannot wait to see how this will lead to digital transformation even in the most rural parts of the country."

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms Limited, has built a world-class all-IP data-strong future-proof network using 4G LTE and 5G technologies. It is the only network conceived as a Mobile Video Network from the ground up. It is future-ready and can be easily upgraded to support even more data, as technologies advance to 6G and beyond.

Jio has brought transformational changes in the Indian digital services space to enable the vision of Digital India for 1.4 billion Indians and propel India into global leadership in the digital economy. It has created an ecosystem comprising of network, devices, applications and content, service experience, and affordable tariffs for everyone to live the Jio Digital Life. 

Google's Alphabet and Bharti Airtel Bringing New Laser Internet Technology in India

Google's parent Alphabet and Indian telecom and internet provider, Bharti Airtel, are working together to deploy a new laser internet technology in India, reported news agency Reuters.

This is being done under a project known as — Taara, a part of Alphabet's innovation lab called X, also nicknamed the "Moonshot Factory."

Based on open standards to work with existing infrastructure, including radio and fiber, Taara uses light to transmit information at super high speeds through the air as a very narrow, invisible beam.

The Taara team is implementing 20 Gbps connectivity over distances up to 20 km with units that are fast and easy to deploy. The team is working with telcos, internet service providers (ISPs), and governments around the world to significantly accelerate the deployment of the extensive, high-throughput networks necessary to support the future of the web.

The Taara team is currently deploying their light beam internet technology in India, Africa, and other locations around the world.

WATCH: Google parent Alphabet is delivering internet service to remote areas using beams of light. The project known as Taara is part of Alphabet's innovation lab called X https://t.co/keIr86kJr5 pic.twitter.com/xArEGntkTY

— Reuters (@Reuters) July 2, 2023

For Project Taara, the deployment with Bharti Airtel is its largest deployment in India to date, following several pilot projects including rural villages in Andhra Pradesh, downtown Nairobi, and remote areas of Fiji and Tonga. 

Notably, last year in January Google invested $700 million for a 1.28% stake in Bharti Airtel. Although, Taara's partnership with Bharti Airtel is separate from the Google investment.

In an official blog post, Mahesh Krishnaswamy, General Manager, Project Taara at X said, "Over the coming months Airtel will be deploying Taara’s links across their network in rural and urban areas in an effort to bring fast affordable internet to more people. This rollout follows a number of pilots with Airtel and is the largest deployment of Taara in India to date."

To recall, in a similar lines of laser based communications, Transcelestial, a Singapore-based startup which makes wireless laser communications equipment, had raised $10 million in a funding round led by Airbus Ventures and others, in February this year. 

Internet Service from Space will be Available in India Very Soon: Dr. P Chauhan, Director, National Remote Sensing Centre

Dr. K. V. Rao Scientific Society held its 22nd Annual Science Awards and Memorial Oration Function virtually on Zoom on Saturday till late in the night

The Memorial Oration was given by Chief Guest, Dr. Prakash Chauhan Director, National Remote Sensing Centre, Hyderabad.

Internet Service from Space will be available in India very soon said Dr. Prakash Chauhan Director, National Remote Sensing Centre while giving his oration lecture on subjected “Satellites for Society”.

There is a lot of curiosity of human race about space. He spoke what is space where it begins. He spoke about exciting journey of space, its applications, how modern and new wave of technologies is changing space science. We at ISRO have the capability of identifying from 500 kms above surface an object of 50x50 cms in size on earth’s surface, he said. We can study images of weather patterns taken from the satellite hundreds of kilometers away from earth’s surface, he added.

Prakash Chouhan, Ratna, Ramoorthy, Anil Kumar Kutty seen at 22nd Annual Science Awards of KV Rao Scientific Society

Dr. K Ratna, Secretary of the society while Welcoming the gathering said what was started small in then combined states of Andhra Pradesh, the Dr KV Rao Scientific Society now has gone national.

Giving her annual report, Dr. K. Ratna, Secretary of Dr K. V. Rao Scientific Society said the society has embarked on its journey of science promotion and popularization since 2001. And it has been involved in encouraging child scientists, young scientists in pursuit of science and research.

This was an event Celebrating excellence in Science commented Dr. K. Ratna. The Annual Science Awards included: Science Quiz, School Talent, SPARK Innovation, and Research Awards.

Mr.Anil Kumar Kutty, President and Mr K. Ramamurthy, Vice President of the Society graced the occasion.

The two ambitious projects Science Innovation Centre and Science Mobile Labs have reached out 200 plus schools and 3000 plus students said AMr Kutty. Many government schools do not have science labs. For them knowledge of science is through reading books. Mobile science lab helped many students, he added.

The Society was founded by the family in memory of Dr. K.V. Rao, an eminent Scientist of yester years who worked with Geological Survey of India. Dr. K.V Rao Society has been working hard for the past 18years for the cause of popularizing science among school children and enthusing young minds towards pursuing a career in science.

Netplus Broadband Launches Next Gen ‘Smart Telephony Services’ in Haryana

Juhar Group’s subsidiary NetplusBroadband, the fastest growing broadband service provider launches Netplus Next Gen “Smart Telephony Services” in North India that works over a broadband network to offer unlimited local and STD calling. The next-gen service offers customers HD quality voice calls accompanied by faster call setup time and a host of new features that can be operated from fixed service setup and mobile handsets. A highly responsive mobile app has also been launched for the users.

Besides providing accessibility over voice services on mobile devices and landlines and freedom of movement within the Wifi network; speed dial, call waiting, call forward, do not disturb, call block, and call return are some of the add-on features.

Commenting on the development, Mr Arshdeep Singh Mundi Executive Director Jujhar Group said that “Netplus broadband services have been successfully established as one of the fastest-growing ISPs in the country and now venturing into voice services is a significant milestone of transforming to next-gen services. Besides being first of its kind telephone service, it is formulated as a crucial aspect of the brand’s converged service strategy. Presently, the service is available in Punjab and Haryana. However, soon we intend to expand it to other geographies too.”

“We are committed to the North Indian market and currently have a reach spanning across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. Continuing with our rapid pace of expansion, we are looking at establishing a strong foothold in the entire region”, he added.

In addition, unlimited voice services will be offered free with premium service bundles.

Having an exceptionally well laid out FTTH platform across North India, Netplus services reach over 400 cities and had attained 6 lac plus subscriber mark recently.

About Netplus Broadband

NetplusBroadband, the ICT – (Information, Communication & Technology) business of Jujhar Group spearheaded by CMD S. Gurdeep Singh. The group has a legacy of over30 years of business excellence. Jujhar Group of companies operates across verticals – Logistics, Hospitality, Real Estate, Digital entertainment, and next-generation services.

National Internet Exchange NIXI Introducing Internet Exchanges in Durgapur and Bardhaman to Improve the Quality of Internet & Broadband Services in West Bengal and Nearby Regions

Taking Digital opportunities to tier 2 / 3 cities is an article of faith for Narendra Modi Government : Rajeev Chandrasekhar

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India vision to connect every Indian with an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar- Minister of State, Electronics and Information Technology, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India in presence of Shri S S Ahluwalia, Member of Parliament Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha will be inaugurating two new Internet Exchange points (IXP) of NIXI at Durgapur and Vardhman. It’s an initiative under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) vision of 1000 days.

The first Internet Exchange in the state of Kolkata is also run by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI). It is now expanding its footprint in the state by launching the two new Internet Exchange Points at Durgapur and Bardhaman. The inauguration will be at The Citi Residenci, City Centre, Durgapur.

The launch of these new NIXI internet exchanges in state will contribute to the enhancement and improvement of Internet and Broadband services at local level and in neighbouring regions. The internet service providers connecting at these points will benefit as their broadband services to their end users will improve, bringing about a change in the lives of the people of the region. Opening of these new IXPs will benefit every sector of the state ranging from health, education, agriculture, startup, ecosystem to MSMEs & other business verticals. Accessibility and convenience will increase for citizens in terms of availing government benefits and improving quality of life. The 2 new Internet Exchange nodes from NIXI are certain to boost the state’s Internet ecology.

In order to improve the overall Indian internet ecosystem and give internet users access to it at a low cost with improved speed, NIXI plans to install such internet exchanges in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in the near future. All Internet Service Providers are invited by NIXI to establish peering at any of its nodes and support the domestic Internet ecosystem. Taking Digital opportunities to tier 2 / 3 cities is an article of faith for Narendra Modi Government. It is our duty to ensure that the power of internet empowers all with an approach - ‘No one is left Behind’, said Rajeev Chandrasekhar in a statement issued through a release.

Fibre Broadband N/w Excitel Raises $11.5 Mn From Existing and New EU Investors, Plans to Expand to 100 Cities by the End of 2022

The company plan to make significant investments from the amount raised to enter new markets, enhance its technology stack and customer experience

Focuses on building a world-class leadership team to put the company on a Unicorn path by investing a small portion in recruitment

Excitel, India’s fastest-growing and leading fibre broadband network, raised $11.5Mn in equity from existing and new tech investors based out of Europe. The freshly raised capital will help Excitel accelerate its mission to become one of the largest Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) service providers in the country. From a current subscriber base of 0.7 Million, Excitel aims to increase its customer base to 10 Million while also expanding operations to 100 cities by the end of 2022.

With the raised funds, Excitel will also be making significant investments to enhance its technology stack as well as its customer experience, along with foraying​ into newer markets. Excitel has expanded its operations to Mumbai and the Western region in Q1 FY23 to provide world-class FTTH services at competitive prices. Excitel will also be investing towards onboarding talent to strengthen its operational and technical capabilities.

Talking about the roadmap ahead, Vivek Raina, CEO & Co-Founder, Excitel, said, “ Excitel has established itself as a brand that is helping bridge the digital divide by providing world-class FTTH services at affordable rates across the country. This year we are fixated on establishing ourselves in newer geographies, extending futuristic tech solutions while at the same time working towards hiring our next rung of leaders to create an ecosystem that sales rapidly. The fresh round of liquidity that we have raised from existing and new investors will go a long way in helping the brand’s journey to becoming the leading internet service provider in the country.”

Excitel recently announced the launch of its services in the financial capital, Mumbai and aims to replicate its success in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and other cities by offering high-speed internet with quick service resolution in Mumbai. The company will not only cater to structured areas but also provide services to the unstructured areas of the city.

Excitel has been working and striving to develop solutions that are customised to meet the needs of different customers. Understanding the growing demand and dependence on high-speed internet to sustain multiple functioning, the company is running a pilot a 400 Mbps speed data plan for the city of Mumbai starting at just INR 499/month.

Excitel, India’s leading, and fastest-growing broadband network is the preferred streaming platform for 700,000 customers in 29 cities. Since its inception in September 2015, Excitel has been revolutionising broadband services and leading the adoption of fibre broadband in India. Excitel was also the first internet service provider to introduce the concept of truly unlimited data plans allowing consumers to access unlimited data at the promised speed without any caveats or conditions. Ookla recognizes Excitel as the 4th fastest and best-rated broadband network in India. According to TRAI, the company in 2020 was also amongst the Top 10 ISPs in India.