As the country gears up for the launch of fifthe generation (5G) technology-based services, The PageOneAsia spoke to Anurag Saxena, Managing Director of Star Group – a company that has been redefining the fiber optics testing business in India and globally. Edited Excerpts:

What is the mission and vision of the company?
 
Star Group is a technology leader in the field of optical fiber optical communications and are redefining the fiber optics testing business in India and globally, since its inception in 1997.

The company is fully focused on its customers, their needs and helping out the routine challenges faced by them. Our vision is to have 100% satisfied customers and we would do our best to achieve it.

We carry out our mission every day through each and every one of our employees. Using our diversity and inclusion initiatives, and by implementing environmentally responsible business practices.
 
What are the main products of the company?
 
The company is an NSIC/MSME registered OEM and produces high quality “Star-FFS” range of fiber optics fusion splicing machines and has redefined OFC testing businesses with “Fibershot” range of optical time domain reflectometers (OTDR), optical meters and tools. Our products provide buyers with advanced technologies at a reasonable cost and are backed by uncompromising reliability and support services. Our TEC approved Star FFS-9000 splicing machine had been our Star performer for last many years and won the hearts of defence and armed forces along with system integrators by its sheer performance.  
 
Our fiber splicing and fiber optics network testing products are designed to perform and engineered to last long. We provide next-generation smart engineering solutions for our industry while considering future needs and adding advantage to the businesses of our buyers.
 
Growing popularity and demand for Star & Fibershot fiber optics testing products around the globe is the testimonial of the hard work that we have put in to satisfy & create exceptional product value for our customers in India and around the world.
 
What are the products that the company is planning to launch in the near future?

The company would produce new fast & cost effective next-gen versions of fiber optical fusion splicer’s, optical meters, FTTx specialized products & low cost OTDR’s with the trending market needs and features. Our recently launched Star FFS-7000 and FFS-3000 splicing machines are doing excellent service in the market and are being loved by government, defence forces and corporate users for their superior performance and remote support abilities. Airtel/Telesonic has recently procured machines from us worth INR15 million and are extremely happy with the kind of services and trouble free operations that we are able to cater to their field teams to achieve customer connectivity very effectively. 
 
What are the future investment plans of the company?
 
The company is looking to invest for the domestic development of advanced and reliable products to cater the Indian Telecom and IT sector. International expansion across Africa, Middle East and South East Asian countries is also under one of the prime focuses of the company. We are setting up offices and developing channel to market out products with the support of TEPC (Telecom Export Promotion Council).
 
How has been the growth of the company over the years?
 
With the recent growth of fiber communication, the company has seen multifold growth within last 10 years. We are now a leading MNC in our field of business and we are continuously reinforcing positive behaviour in our work culture. In financial terms, the turnover of the company has crossed our expectations this financial year and we expect to grow leaps and bounds in the years to come.
 
What are your expectations from India as a business market?
 
India is the second most populated country in the world. A country this big with so many people needs vast internet coverage. I think the demand and growth for fiber based services and fiber optic equipment is going to double or even more than that in the next five years. There are multiple ongoing projects including the ongoing 5G Network, BharatNet Broadband, NOFN and state governments CCTV/WiFi etc.
 
This would also bring along a lot of employment opportunities in the country in this field of business. There are a lot of new job-oriented telecom and OFC courses being introduced in schools and colleges. Telecom sector skill development agencies are working round the clock to cater to the market requirement of skilled technicians. 
 
The Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also taking digitization very seriously and pushing all avenues to perform and achieve technological advancements. Therefore, I see a good future for next many years for our trade in the Indian market. A market analysis study by Research and Market predicted that the fiber optic market will grow at a rate of 8.5% in the next few years to come.
 
How is optical fiber cable (OFC) helping India in its 5G journey?
 
Fiber optic technology plays a major part in many businesses today, as most demand a faster, more secure, and larger communication system for their network operations. In the next few years, an increasing number of industries will be looking for new innovative solutions offered by fiber optics, including opportunities in the healthcare and maritime industry.

Optical Fiber cable is a fundamental and structural part of both mobile and fixed networks. For 5G to grow and flourish in the country, wireless carriers need to take advantage of high-capacity fiber networks. Additionally, the roll out and expansion of 5G wireless network is made possible by fiber optics. Telecom leaders are relying on millions of miles of new fiber optic cables which allow 5G devices across the globe to connect with one another. In the future, it is possible to see new fiber initiatives in more diverse and efficient applications.
 
OFC can help 5G eliminate technological hang-ups for the devices and people connected to the network, making adaption of new technology and inventions easier and more comprehensible for the average person. Additionally, fiber will also benefit users. It will help bring more internet service providers into the market and allow smaller players to provide competitive offerings, hopefully driving down consumer costs.

How is Robotic Process Automation (RPA) helping transform the telecom industry?
 
Fuelled by IoT and 5G technology, the telecom industry has now started to adopt RPA to become more efficient and provide a better customer experience. The telecom sector continues to grow across the world as more people join the network and internet access penetrates the remotest corners.

RPA, coupled with Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, can help telecom operators identify problems, compile a report and share possible solutions to the on-ground technicians in real-time. Thus, solving any problem on a real-time basis and maintaining the quality of the network. RPA can help network operators with faster customer onboarding/offboarding, solve backend tasks, increase the revenue per user, deploy faster & accurate solutions, decrease the workload on backend professionals, among others.

Another recent improvement is ROF or Radio-over-Fiber, which allows for the transmission of radio signals using optical fibers. The radio frequencies are not impacted by electromagnetic interference, which has huge potential for development in the aviation industry as well as public work projects, stadium construction, and commercial building construction.