In an extraordinary leap forward for digital connectivity, researchers have shattered the world record for internet speed, achieving a breathtaking 178 terabits per second (Tb/s). This remarkable speed, fast enough to download the entire Netflix library in less than a second, was realized through a collaborative effort between engineers in the UK and Japan. They developed innovative methods to modulate light before it travels through optical fibers, significantly expanding the potential bandwidth.
This new speed is 17,800 times faster than the fastest consumer internet connections currently available, which cap at about 10 Gb/s in select regions around the world, including parts of Japan, the US, and New Zealand. The breakthrough not only eclipses the capabilities of NASA’s 400 Gb/s ESnet but also surpasses other experimental efforts, such as a photonic chip developed in Australia that achieved 44 Tb/s.
The secret to attaining these dizzying speeds lies in the development of new Geometric Shaping (GS) constellations, which manipulate the phase, brightness, and polarization of light wavelengths to pack more information into the light without causing interference. This technique was combined with existing amplifier technologies to form a hybrid system, significantly increasing the efficiency of the current fiber optic infrastructure.
What makes this advancement particularly exciting is its compatibility with existing fiber optic cables laid across many parts of the globe. This means the technology can be integrated into current infrastructures with relative ease, requiring upgrades primarily to the amplifiers spaced every 40 to 100 kilometers along the cable routes, rather than a complete overhaul of the cables themselves.
The implications of this development are vast, offering the promise of ultra-fast internet speeds to consumers and exponentially enhancing the capacity of cloud data centers, which currently max out at transport speeds of around 35 terabits a second. This breakthrough could revolutionize how we access and transfer digital information, paving the way for advancements in streaming services, cloud computing, and beyond, all while utilizing the existing fiber optic networks that crisscross the globe.
