Case Study
Highlights

Up to 5x increase in network capacity with HFCL’s IP/MPLS routers

The routers delivered 360 Gbps at

the access layer and

800 Gbps at

the pre-aggregation layer

Millions of subscribers

are now supported with enhanced bandwidth and reliability

5G capability enabled
for next-generation services and applications

Higher throughput & reduced latency
have improved overall network performance

Overview

One of India’s leading telecom providers recently undertook a strategic upgrade of its transport network in collaboration with HFCL. This initiative was driven by the growing demand for high-speed connectivity and the need to prepare for next-generation services like 5G. By deploying HFCL’s advanced IP/MPLS routers, the operator is now well-positioned to deliver enhanced service experiences to millions of customers and enterprises across the country.

Customer’s Overview

The operator serves more than 100 million subscribers, providing a comprehensive range of mobility and enterprise connectivity solutions.

With an expansive customer base, including individual users, small businesses, and large enterprises, the operator’s infrastructure must support high-speed connectivity, security, and reliability for critical business applications and seamless user experiences.

Challenges Faced

Rapid Growth of 4G Services

Increased user base coupled with increased usage of high-definition video streaming and other data-heavy applications created significant pressure on existing network infrastructure.

The Emergence of 5G Use Cases

The headroom for additional backhaul capacity is essential to support emerging use cases like immersive gaming and advanced enterprise solutions, which are driving increased bandwidth demands with 5G applications.

Mounting Pressure on Infrastructure

The rapid growth of 4G, increasing data demand and need for flexible service offerings put significant strain on the operator’s network, raising concerns about potential congestion, performance bottlenecks, and service disruptions, impacting overall service quality and customer experience.

Minimizing Service Disruption

Given the large volume of subscriber traffic on the network, any solution to address the challenges had to be implemented without impacting existing services.

HFCL’s Approach to These Challenges

  • 1

    Advanced Router Deployment for Increased Network Capacity

    The operator selected the DCR 1100 series routers to manage increasing data traffic and future-proof its infrastructure. These routers delivered 360 Gbps at the access layer and 800 Gbps at the pre-aggregation layer, resulting in up to 5x increase in overall network capacity. This upgrade empowered the operator to support more users and bandwidth-intensive applications on both 4G and 5G networks. Additionally, the routers featured scalable network interfaces, allowing seamless ring bandwidth upgrades from 10 Gbps to 25 Gbps and up to 100 Gbps, ensuring a future-ready infrastructure far beyond the limitations of older 10G networks.

  • 2

    Flexibility in Interface Rate Options

    HFCL's DCR 1100 routers offer exceptional flexibility, allowing the operator to choose service interface rates based on specific site needs. The routers support 1Gbps/10Gbps/25Gbps/40Gbps/50Gbps/100Gbps interface rates. This provides scalable options, ensuring the operator can meet both current and future bandwidth demands without frequent hardware upgrades. HFCL's focus on adaptability enables smoother, incremental upgrades, making the network more resilient to future growth.

  • 3

    Advanced Technology Support and Simplified Network Management

    HFCL’s DCR 1100 router is designed to support advanced networking protocols, including IP/MPLS, Segment Routing, and IPv6, making it a future-ready solution. By integrating Segment Routing, the router simplifies traffic management and enhances network efficiency. It also supports Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), enabling seamless deployment and reducing operational overheads. Additionally, its compatibility with various network management suites ensures easy integration and control, allowing the operator’s team to manage their networks efficiently.

  • 4

    Compact Design with Redundant Power and Fan Units

    To address space constraints at many access and aggregation sites, the DCR 1100’s compact 1RU form factor proved highly attractive for the operator. Despite its small size, the router delivers up to 800 Gbps switching capacity. Additionally, its N+1 redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fan units ensure uninterrupted operation, even in challenging conditions like power instability in rural areas. The ability to hot-swap components without downtime significantly reduces maintenance complexity. Furthermore, HFCL has standardized these units across its 360 Gbps and 800 Gbps router models, minimizing the spare parts inventory the operator needs to maintain.

  • 5

    Deployment Strategy and Successful Collaboration

    HFCL closely collaborated with the operator to ensure a seamless network upgrade. The deployment was meticulously planned, beginning with in-depth infrastructure assessments to identify specific needs and challenges. HFCL executed the upgrades through a phased installation approach, minimizing disruption to the operator’s existing services. To validate performance, the newly installed routers underwent rigorous testing, ensuring compliance with all technical and operational standards. HFCL achieved successful interoperability with other router vendors, including Juniper, Nokia, Ribbon, and Huawei, within this well‑established telecommunications network, facilitating seamless network expansion and a smooth transition for the operator.

Success Metrics

Key success metrics from the upgrade include:

Up to 5x increase in network capacity

Enhanced ability to handle more users and bandwidth-heavy applications.

Readiness for 5G services

The network now supports advanced 5G use cases, ensuring the operator remains at the forefront of telecom innovation.

Improved network performance

Higher throughput and reduced latency have enhanced customer experience across all services.

Reduced dependency on legacy systems

The new infrastructure is future-proofed, eliminating reliance on outdated technology.

Results

HFCL's DCR 1100 Series IP/MPLS routers have equipped the operator with the tools needed to meet the increasing demands of its customer base while positioning the company for future growth in the 5G space. The upgrade has not only improved the reliability and speed of the operator’s services but also ensured that the network is capable of supporting innovative new applications that are driving the digital world forward.

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About HFCL

HFCL is a leading technology company specializing in creating digital networks for telcos, enterprises, and governments. Over the years, HFCL has emerged as a trusted partner offering sustainable high-tech solutions with a commitment to providing the latest technology products to its customers. Our strong R&D expertise coupled with our global system integration services and decades of experience in fiber optics enable us to deliver innovative digital network solutions required for the most advanced networks.

The company’s in-house R&D Centres located at Gurgaon and Bengaluru along with invested R&D houses and other R&D collaborators at different locations in India and abroad, innovate a futuristic range of technology products and solutions. HFCL has developed capabilities to provide premium quality Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cables, state-of-the-art telecom products including 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products, 5G Transport Products, Wi-Fi Systems (Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 7), Unlicensed Band Radios, Switches, Routers and Software Defined Radios.

The company has state-of-the-art Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cable manufacturing plants in Hyderabad, an Optical Fiber Cable manufacturing plant in Goa, and its subsidiary HTL Limited in Chennai.

We are a partner of choice for our customers across India, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA. Our commitment to quality and environmental sustainability inspires us to innovate solutions for the ever-evolving customer needs.