Girish Gupta, Senior Vice-President and Business Head, Telecom and Convergence, APAR Industries
As connectivity networks become denser and more converged, the role of resilient fibre and integrated communication solutions is becoming increasingly critical. In an interview with tele.net, Girish Gupta, Senior Vice-President and Business Head, Telecom and Convergence, APAR Industries, discussed India’s evolving digital landscape, key developments in APAR’s telecom business, and the company’s priorities in supporting next-generation networks…
How is APAR Telecom contributing to India’s evolving digital landscape?
APAR Telecom is playing a significant role in India’s digital transformation. We are strengthening the backbone of the nation’s communication networks with a comprehensive portfolio that supports 4G/5G deployment, fibre broadband expansion and data-centre connectivity. By enabling high-speed, resilient and scalable telecom infrastructure, we contribute directly to digital inclusion across urban and rural India. In addition, our solutions for railways, renewable energy and defence help enhance national security, operational efficiency and economic growth – building robust, future-ready communication networks that power India’s progress.
What have been the key highlights of APAR’s telecom business during 2025?
2025 has been a defining year for APAR Telecom, as we strengthened our position as a trusted partner in building next-generation communication networks. Our optical cable and hybrid cable product portfolio progressed significantly during the year. We introduced unified license and Construction Products Regulation-compliant offerings, enabling APAR to enter technologically demanding markets such as Europe and the Middle East. At the same time, we expanded our solutions portfolio with connectorised assemblies for specialised applications, designed to deliver faster, end-to-end connectivity.
In parallel, APAR evolved beyond pure product supply into telecom services, forming partnerships with leading Indian telecom operators to support network roll-outs, fibre deployment and turnkey project execution. This marked an important step in positioning APAR as a solutions-oriented partner rather than a standalone manufacturer. We also entered into the railways space with Indian Railways to build a telecom network (fibre and towers) across railway tracks, supporting the safety-critical Kavach system.
Defence communications has emerged as another important growth area. During the year, APAR supported defence operations through innovative optical fibre cable solutions designed to ensure secure and reliable connectivity in sensitive border regions, underscoring our role in strengthening national security infrastructure. We also advanced initiatives around fibre asset monetisation, leveraging existing dark fibre assets to unlock additional value for the telecom ecosystem.
What are some of the key challenges?
5G use cases have not evolved as quickly as anticipated, leading operators to adopt a more cautious investment approach and move towards fixed wireless network solutions. The pace of rural connectivity continues to be slow. However, it is expected to pick up in 2026. In the data centre segment, despite several big-ticket investments, the pace of on-ground execution has lagged. The rapidly evolving AI landscape and shifting technology architectures are also leading to the deferment and recalibration of investments.
What will be the biggest growth levers for India’s digital ecosystem in the coming years? What will be APAR’s focus areas to leverage these?
The next phase of India’s digital growth will be driven by a combination of deeper fibre penetration, the expansion of private enterprise networks, the scaling of data-centre infrastructure, and the convergence of power and connectivity networks. As AI, cloud and edge computing gain momentum, digital infrastructure will need to become denser, more reliable, energy-efficient and latency-sensitive.
A key enabler will be the development of dedicated fibre highways connecting large data centres, ensuring ultra-low latency and supporting AI-intensive applications. At the same time, edge data centres should increasingly evolve across cities, enabling data localisation while significantly improving speed, resilience and user experience. Together, these trends will drive sustained demand for advanced fibre solutions, specialty cables and communication-ready hybrid infrastructure.
APAR intends to play a pivotal role in this transformation. Our focus will be on strengthening our specialty product portfolio, scaling capacity for high-growth segments, and working closely with telecom operators, engineering, procurement and construction players, and utilities on engineering-led, value-added solutions. Over the coming years, APAR’s objective is to evolve from a product supplier into a strategic partner in India’s digital infrastructure build-out, supporting the ecosystem with reliable technology, strong execution and a long-term commitment to India’s digital ambitions.
