With the incredible advancements in fiber optic technology, researchers have achieved a new record-breaking speed that allows for the download of the entire Netflix library in less than a second. This remarkable feat is made possible by a newly developed optical fiber featuring 19 cores, meticulously engineered to fit within a cable that maintains a standard diameter of just 0.125 millimeters.
Unlike traditional cables with a single core, this innovative design enables the transmission of 19 times more data while minimizing data loss through more efficient light conduction. The new fiber optic system operates effectively over an impressive 1,120-mile distance, roughly equivalent to the span between New York and Chicago.
This achievement required amplifying the signal 21 times to maintain clarity and speed. As a result, the new record speed exceeds the previous year’s benchmark of 50,250 GB/s, showcasing significant progress in both signal amplification and the reduction of data loss.
While similar speeds were recorded by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in 2023, those were only reached over a shorter distance. This cutting-edge technology could address the rapidly escalating demand for data worldwide, which according to Nielsen’s Law is growing by approximately 50 percent each year.
The compatibility of these new cables with existing fiber optic infrastructure presents promising opportunities, particularly for countries where fiber optic development has stalled. Although the record has yet to be independently verified, it highlights the transformative potential of fiber optics and their impact on the future of the internet.