The NPS roundtable, Light in the Void – Unlocking the Potential of Hollow Core Fibre, was held on 26 February at the Eight Members Club in London. The event focused on the future of Hollow Core Fibre and the growing role this technology will play in next-generation connectivity.
Interest in the topic was so strong that we quickly scheduled a second session on 10 March to accommodate additional attendees! This reflected the growing momentum behind Hollow Core Fibre adoption.
We would like to thank everyone who joined us for both events and helped create two highly engaging discussions around one of the most exciting developments in modern optical networking!
Across the two sessions, we brought together a wide cross section of the digital infrastructure ecosystem. The room included fibre and cable manufacturers, transmission equipment vendors, testing specialists, network builders, carriers, and end users. Representatives from the financial sector were present, reflecting on the growing interest in ultra low latency connectivity for trading and market infrastructure.
As Hollow Core Fibre experts. NPS was proud to host a forum where specialists across the industry could share insight into how this technology is evolving and where it is heading next.
Bringing the Hollow Core Fibre Ecosystem Together
The goal of the roundtable was incredibly simple. We wanted to create a space where experts from across the industry could share knowledge, compare experiences, and discuss the real-world challenges and opportunities surrounding Hollow Core Fibre.
By bringing together people involved at every stage of the value chain, the conversation covered the full journey from manufacturing and production, through to deployment, testing and day-to-day operational use.
The sessions provided valuable insight into how Hollow Core Fibre has moved beyond research and laboratory environments and into real network deployments.
Several themes emerged during the roundtable conversations, reflecting both the technological progress being made and the practical considerations that come with deploying a new generation of Hollow Core Fibre networks.
Fundamentals and Fabrication
Participants explored recent advances in design and manufacturing techniques, particularly progress in producing complex hollow core structures, with the consistency required for commercial-scale production.
While Hollow Core Fibre has been under development for many years, improvements in fabrication processes are now bringing the technology closer to mainstream deployment.
Performance and Comparison
A central topic throughout the roundtable was performance. Hollow Core Fibre offers a fundamentally different transmission environment compared with conventional single mode fibre, because light travels primarily through air rather than solid glass.
This difference can significantly reduce latency while also improving optical performance. These advantages make Hollow Core Fibre networks particularly attractive for applications where speed and signal integrity are critical, such as quantum networking.
Participants also discussed how Hollow Core Fibre compare with existing fibre technologies, and where the greatest advantages are likely to be realised.
Applications and Integration
Much of the conversation focused on practical use cases. Financial networks were frequently mentioned, where even small reductions in latency can have meaningful commercial value.
Other applications discussed included hyperscale data centre connectivity, particularly for AI and high-performance computing workloads that require fast, predictable data movement between sites. The lower latency of Hollow Core Fibre allows hyperscalers to extend the distance between data centres, giving them greater flexibility in site selection, access to cheaper land or power and potentially reducing the number of facilities required within a metro or region.
Carrier transport networks were also highlighted, where Hollow Core Fibre could help improve efficiency and support increasing traffic demands. Its lower latency and reach can reduce the number of intermediate line amplifier (ILA) sites required on long-haul routes, and allow mobile operators to extend cell site placement while remaining within strict latency tolerances.
As the technology matures, organisations specialising in fibre optic cable installation will play an important role in integrating Hollow Core Fibre into existing network infrastructure. Deployments will not always require greenfield builds; targeted sections can be added to existing routes to incrementally reduce latency, or installed within buildings to connect microwave antennas, trading platforms or high-performance compute environments.
Deployment and Operational Readiness
Moving from innovation to deployment brings new challenges. The roundtable explored the practical aspects of installing and operating Hollow Core Fibre.
Topics included installation practices, splicing techniques, testing approaches, and how Hollow Core Fibre can be integrated alongside existing optical infrastructure.
One clear takeaway from the sessions was that collaboration across the ecosystem will be essential. As Hollow Core Fibre moves beyond research and trials to broader deployment, the manufacturers, network builders, equipment vendors, and operators will all play a pivotal role in ensuring successful adoption.
A Collaborative Industry Conversation
A special thank you goes to Andy Everest, who moderated both sessions and helped guide the discussion across a wide range of technical and commercial topics.
We would also like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the conversation. The level of engagement across both sessions highlighted just how much interest there is in the future of Hollow Core Fibre.
Looking Ahead
The strong turnout and lively discussion at both events confirmed that Hollow Core Fibre is moving rapidly up the industry agenda.
As Hollow Core Fibre experts, Network Planning Solutions is committed to supporting the development of next generation networks through innovation, collaboration, and real-world deployment expertise.
With the continued growth of AI infrastructure, quantum networking, hyperscale data centres, and advanced telecom networks, Hollow Core Fibre will play an increasingly important role in the future of digital connectivity.
If you would like to be involved in future events or would like to discuss Hollow Core Fibre solutions or fibre optic cable installation UK, we would be delighted to hear from you.
