New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- US tariffs have either crimped margins or disrupted exports for Indian cable and telecom equipment makers, even as the data centre boom drives demand in the American market.

Operating margins narrowed for Sterlite Technologies Ltd (STL), while exports contracted for HFCL Ltd, Polycab Ltd, Havells India Ltd and RR Kabel Ltd since the US President Donald Trump imposed stiff tariffs, according to the management commentary over the past two quarters.

Tariffs are depriving Indian cable and internet gear makers of a major opportunity, with American companies awarding orders worth billions of dollars to build infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) companies. The US government is also expected to execute the 2021 ...