Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis, and Forecast (2025 – 2031)

Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market Size

The global hollow core optical fiber market size was valued at $190.24 million in 2025 and is projected to reach $633.49 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 22.2% during the forecast period.

Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market Overview

Hollow core optical fibers (HCFs) are innovative waveguides that guide light primarily within a hollow core, offering unique advantages over traditional solid-core fibers, such as lower latency, reduced optical nonlinearity, and a wide low-loss spectrum. Companies can benefit from this technology by leveraging its capabilities for high-speed data transmission and telecommunications, particularly in applications requiring minimal signal distortion and high power handling.

For instance, in 2023, NKT Photonics introduced their hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers, which are designed for applications in sensing, imaging, and ultrashort pulse delivery, thus catering to the growing demand in industries like telecommunications and medical imaging.

Moreover, the development of hollow-core fibers with comparable attenuation to silica fibers, as reported in a 2020 study, highlights their potential in quantum communications and data transmission, providing opportunities for companies to innovate and enhance their product offerings in a competitive market. Such advancements not only improve performance in existing applications but also open avenues for new technologies, making HCFs a pivotal element in the future of optical communication and related fields.

Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market Dynamics

The hollow core optical fiber market is expected to witness significant growth in the future due to the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission in telecommunications and 5G networks, growing applications in biomedical and sensing technologies, and advancements in hollow core fiber technology. However, the high installation costs associated with hollow core optical fiber systems, limited commercial availability and production capacity, and complexity in manufacturing processes compared to traditional solid-core fibers are restraining the growth of the market.

Furthermore, the increasing government and private sector investments in telecommunications infrastructure, particularly for 5G, the development of new applications in fields such as metrology, environmental monitoring, and precision measurement, and the potential for partnerships and collaborations between technology companies and research institutions to innovate hollow core fiber solutions are key trends propelling the hollow core optical fiber market.

Increasing Demand for High-Speed Data Transmission in Telecommunications and 5G Networks is Driving the Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market

The increasing demand for high-speed data transmission in telecommunications and 5G networks is significantly impacting the hollow core optical fiber market,

• In February 2023, ZTE Corporation announced the adoption of innovative hollow core optical fiber technology to develop 5G-advanced evolution solutions with lower latency, higher transmission performance, and lower energy consumption.
• Furthermore, in April 2022, Comcast announced the deployment of hollow core optical fiber technology-based advanced cables with faster speed and lower latency in the U.S. North America is expected to dominate the market due to the rising investment in 5G infrastructure, with 176 million 5G connections as of Q3 2023, indicating a 14% quarter-over-quarter increase.

By Material Type, the Glass Segment is projected to be the Largest Segment in the Hollow Core Optical Fiber Market

Glass is the largest segment in the hollow core optical fiber market, driven by its superior performance characteristics that cater to the increasing requirements for high-speed data transmission in telecommunications and advanced applications.

• For example, in February 2023, ZTE Corporation announced the implementation of hollow core optical fiber technology to enhance their 5G solutions, which benefit from the low latency and minimal dispersion characteristics of glass fibers.
• Additionally, Lumenisity launched a new hollow core fiber product in September 2022 designed specifically for high-capacity data transmission, further demonstrating the technology's applicability in next-generation telecommunications infrastructure.

This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of high-speed communication networks, including 5G, and the expanding use of hollow core fibers in emerging applications such as metrology and environmental monitoring, where their ability to guide light through gases offers unique advantages for precision measurement.

By Geography, North America Holds the Largest Share in the Market Revenue

North America holds the largest share of the hollow core optical fiber market, driven by the increasing adoption of advanced telecommunications technologies like 5G and the presence of key manufacturers in the region.

• For instance, in February 2023, ZTE Corporation, a major telecommunications company, announced the initiation of the adoption of innovative hollow core optical fiber technology to develop 5G-advanced evolution solutions with lower latency, higher transmission performance, and lower energy consumption.
• Additionally, in April 2022, Comcast, a leading cable television and internet service provider in the U.S., announced the deployment of hollow core optical fiber technology-based advanced cables with faster speed and lower latency.

North America is expected to dominate the hollow core optical fiber market due to the rising investment in 5G infrastructure. According to data published by the 5G Americas, as of Q3 2023, North America had 176 million 5G connections, indicating a 14% quarter-over-quarter increase or 22 million new connections in the most recent quarter. This demonstrates the region's strong commitment to developing 5G technology, with a 26% market share and 46% penetration rate. Several national carriers operating in the region have either already implemented 5G Standalone networks or are now in the process of doing so. Furthermore, the development of the hollow core optical fiber market in North America is being aided by government funding and support for R&D projects in the fields of photonics and optical communications. The advancement of critical enabling technologies and the promotion of technical innovation through funding programs, grants, and incentives are propelling growth and acceptance in the region.

Key Target Audience:

• Medical device manufacturers
• Fiber optic cable manufacturers
• Data center operators
• Government agencies and regulatory bodies
• Optical component suppliers

List of the Key Players Profiled in the Report Includes:

• Advanced Glass Industries
• Silchem Inc.
• Cincinnati Gasket & Industrial Glass
• Lumenisity
• IDIL Fibres Optique
• OFS Fitel LLC
• Asahi Kasei
• OFS Fitel LLC
• Lumenisity
• National Plastics & Seals, Inc.
• IDIL Fibres Optique
• IXBlue
• GLOphotonics SAS

Recent Developments:

• In June 2024, Lumenisity announced the successful demonstration of a real-time 1.2Tb/s transmission over a 20km hollow-core fiber link, achieving ultra-low latency and high bandwidth. This breakthrough showcases the potential of hollow-core fiber for next-generation telecommunications networks.
• In April 2024, OFS Fitel launched a new line of hollow-core fiber products optimized for high-power laser delivery applications. The fibers feature low attenuation and high damage thresholds, enabling reliable performance in industrial and medical laser systems.
• In February 2024, IXBlue unveiled a new hollow-core fiber-based gyroscope for navigation and stabilization applications. The gyroscope offers superior performance in terms of bias stability and scale factor linearity, making it suitable for demanding use cases such as autonomous vehicles and marine navigation.

Market Segmentation:

The research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry analysis with size, share, and forecast for the below segments:

Market by, Material Type:

• Glass
• Plastic

Market by, End User:

• Aerospace and Defense
• Information Technology
• Medical
• Telecommunication
• Other End Users

Market by, Geography:

The hollow core optical fiber market report also analyzes the major geographic regions and countries of the market. The regions and countries covered in the study include:

• North America (The United States, Canada, Mexico), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Rest of South America), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis

The report offers insights into the following aspects:

• Analysis of major market trends, factors driving, restraining, threatening, and providing opportunities for the market.
• Analysis of the market structure by identifying various segments and sub-segments of the market.
• Understand the revenue forecast of the market for North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa.
• Analysis of opportunities by identification of high-growth segments/revenue pockets in the market.
• Understand major player profiles in the market and analyze their business strategies.
• Understand competitive developments such as joint ventures, alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product launches in the market.