Indian buyers ordering fibre assemblies should state the sheath (FRLS or LSZH, which are not the same), the fibre grade, polarity, lengths and any TEC or tender clause, and give their GSTIN and delivery address for a GST invoice and e-way bill. Radix Fibrotech manufactures in Shukrawar Peth, Pune, and quotes domestic orders from there.
Sheath and fire terms on Indian specifications
Indian tender documents and consultant specifications use a few sheath terms that are easy to mix up. The difference matters for cost and for fire safety, because a cheaper sheath that meets the wording of one term may fail the intent of another.
| Term on the specification | What it usually means | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| FRLS | Fire retardant, low smoke compound, typically PVC based | Contains halogens, so it still releases acid gas when burning |
| LSZH, LS0H or HFFR | Low smoke, halogen-free compound, tested against IEC 60754 and IEC 61034 | Preferred in data centres, metro stations, hospitals and enclosed public spaces |
| PVC | General purpose sheath with no stated fire performance | Acceptable only where the specification allows it |
| PE or HDPE outer jacket | Tough, moisture-resistant outdoor sheath | Burns readily, so it is kept outside buildings or transitioned at the entry point |
| Armoured (steel tape or steel wire) | Mechanical protection for buried, duct and rodent-prone routes | Metallic armour needs earthing at termination points |
Fire and life safety in buildings follows Part 4 of the National Building Code of India 2016, applied through state and municipal fire services. Telecom operator and government telecom tenders often reference Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) Generic Requirements for cable and passive components; quote the GR number from your tender in the RFQ so the build matches it clause by clause.
Indian sectors buying MPO and rugged assemblies
Data centre capacity in India has grown fastest around Mumbai and Navi Mumbai and in Chennai, with further campuses near Hyderabad, Pune, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. These halls order MTP/MPO trunks and patch cords in OM4 and OS2 for 100G to 800G links. Telecom backhaul and enterprise campuses buy single-mode patch cords and breakouts. Broadcasters and live event companies use SMPTE hybrid camera cable, fibre-SDI converters and tactical reels.
Defence and aerospace programmes, shaped by indigenisation policy, call for MIL-style, ODC and expanded beam connector assemblies built to drawing. Refineries, power utilities, metro rail and railway signalling need outdoor and armoured assemblies. Hospitals, laboratories and sensing equipment makers order SMA, HFBR and other connectors for medical and laser use.
GST invoice, e-way bill and delivery
A domestic order is billed on a GST tax invoice showing both parties' GSTIN, the HSN code and the tax split. For delivery within Maharashtra the invoice carries CGST and SGST; for delivery to another state it carries IGST. Registered buyers claim input tax credit on the invoice, so check that the GSTIN and the billing and shipping addresses on the purchase order match your registration exactly.
Goods moving by road with a consignment value above ₹50,000 need an e-way bill, generated by the supplier or transporter against the invoice. Larger suppliers also issue e-invoices with an Invoice Reference Number from the government portal. Ask for the dispatch mode (road transport or courier), freight terms and transit insurance in the quote rather than assuming them, and give a site contact who can receive the consignment and sign for it.
Government buyers, GeM and local content
Central government ministries, departments and public sector units buy many standard goods through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), while project and drawing-based items often go through open tenders on the Central Public Procurement Portal or a state portal. If your purchase must go through GeM, say so in the enquiry so the supplier can tell you how it can respond. Custom assemblies built to a drawing do not always match a standard GeM catalogue item, which is why many are bought through a custom bid or a separate tender instead.
Public procurement also follows the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order, which ranks bidders by declared local content. Tenders often ask for a self-declaration of local content percentage and the location of value addition. Ask the supplier to state the local content of the quoted assembly in its offer; do not assume a figure.
Visiting, sampling and approvals
Domestic buyers have the advantage of being able to visit. Radix manufactures at 165, Shukrawar Peth, Laxmidatta Apartments, Shinde Ali, Near Kelkar Museum, Pune 411002, and the office is open on weekdays from 09:00 to 18:00. Use the contact page to arrange a visit or sample review. For first articles, ask for the test report format in advance (insertion loss per connector, return loss for single-mode, end-face inspection images) and agree it before production starts. Public sector and defence orders often include a pre-dispatch inspection, in which the buyer's inspector or a nominated agency witnesses tests at the works before the goods leave. Say so in the RFQ so the schedule allows for it, and name the acceptance criteria the inspector will apply. The fibre optic cable manufacturer in India page describes the assembly range made in Pune.
What an Indian RFQ should contain
Give the GSTIN, billing and delivery addresses, sheath term (FRLS or LSZH), the fibre type, connectors at both ends with their fibre count, polarity, metre lengths with tolerance, any TEC or tender clause, labelling, packaging, whether you need GeM or tender paperwork, and the date the material is needed on site. If one order serves sites in several states, list each delivery address with the GSTIN that should be billed for it. The RFQ guide for fibre assemblies walks through each item. Send the drawing or BOM through the request a quote page, or email sales@radixfibrotech.com.
Questions buyers ask
Is FRLS cable the same as LSZH?
No. FRLS cable is fire retardant with reduced smoke but is usually PVC based, so it contains halogens and gives off acid gas in a fire. LSZH cable is halogen-free. Specify the term your consultant or tender requires.
Which GST applies when ordering from Pune?
Delivery within Maharashtra attracts CGST plus SGST, and delivery to any other state attracts IGST. The rate follows the HSN code on the invoice, which the quote will state.
Who generates the e-way bill for a fibre assembly order?
The supplier or the transporter generates it when the consignment value exceeds ₹50,000 and the goods move by road. It references the invoice and the vehicle or transport document.
Can Radix supply against a GeM or public tender?
Tell Radix the tender or GeM reference in your enquiry and ask how it can respond. Eligibility depends on the tender's own conditions, so share them early.
Can I see a sample before placing a bulk order?
Ask for a sample or first article in the RFQ, with the test report you expect. Buyers in Pune can also arrange a visit to review it in person.