ISE Award Win: Ultra-Dense 3456F IBR Microcable Earns Bronze at the 2026 ISE Network Innovators Awards

HFCL’s microcable delivers up to 83% faster splicing in a compact footprint, now recognised by the industry’s judges.

Council member HFCL has been recognised at the 2026 ISE Network Innovators Awards, where its 3456F Intermittently Bonded Ribbon (IBR) Microcable earned Bronze in the Network category. The cable is designed to put more fibre into less space and to make installation and splicing faster.

Key features of the 3456F IBR Microcable

• 3,456 fibres in a compact architecture, with a packing density of 9.98 fibres per mm².

• 200µm fibre technology, giving a smaller overall diameter than comparable 250µm designs.

• Intermittently bonded ribbons that support mass fusion splicing while keeping individual fibres accessible, reducing splicing time by up to 83%.

• A luffa-shaped sheath that reduces friction and improves airflow during jetting, with blowing distances of up to 1,500 metres under standard installation conditions.

• Up to 41% lower carbon emissions across the product lifecycle, thanks to reduced size and weight.

What the judges said

“With the 3456F IBR Microcable, HFCL has merged multiple innovations into a single product.”
— Judge, 2026 ISE Network Innovators’ Awards

The judges also highlighted easier installation and termination, and the ability to deploy the cable through smaller pathways.

HFCL Recognized by ISE for Advancing High Density Fiber Infrastructure Innovation

Image courtesy of HFCL.