Skip to main content

Internet world record: Researchers in England achieve 178 Tbps download speed

Your internet is fast, but is it 178 Tbps fast?


Researchers at the University College London (UCL) have set a new record for the fastest internet speed in the world. How fast is it? Oh, just 178,000,000 Mbps — fast enough to download the entire Netflix library in less than a second.


The record was achieved by a team led by a lecturer at UCL and Royal Academy of Engineering research fellow, Dr. Lidia Galdino, and was close to the theoretical limit of data transmission set in 1949.

Galdino’s team deployed these record-setting speeds on existing infrastructure using a bandwidth of 16.8 THz. Typical infrastructures in use today utilize a limited spectrum bandwidth of 4.5 THz.

“While current state-of-the-art cloud data-center interconnections are capable of transporting up to 35 terabits a second, we are working with new technologies that utilize more efficiently the existing infrastructure, making better use of optical fiber bandwidth and enabling a world record transmission rate of 178 terabits a second,” Galdino said.
How does it work?


Researchers transmitted data through a larger range of wavelengths than used in a regular fiber-optic connection. They also developed brand new Geometric Shaping constellations in order to maximize speeds and boost signal strength over that extra-large bandwidth.

Not only is it ultra-fast, but UCL researchers also cite affordability as a crucial benefit of the new technique since it can be deployed over existing infrastructures. Instead of investing in new optical fiber network expansion (for what would be about 28 times the cost), work can be done to upgrade the amplifiers that are located on existing fiber routes for a fraction of the price.

Although internet traffic has continued to increase over the past decade, Dr. Galdino cites the COVID-19 pandemic as a key reason for the growth in data demand.

“The development of new technologies is crucial to maintaining this trend towards lower costs while meeting future data rate demands that will continue to increase, with as yet unthought-of applications that will transform people’s lives.”

Also read | Don’t waste your time! Find out how port forwarding can save precious seconds on your internet downloads 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Telus introduces two new Wi-Fi solutions

  Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi Plus work together to create a responsive experience Telus has launched two new Wi-Fi solutions for its customers in Western Canada. The first is Wi-Fi 6. It offers tri-band technology and the fastest home internet speed in Western Canada, the company says. It provides fast speeds even if multiple devices are connected. Wi-Fi Plus is the second offering. According to the company’s website, this is a monthly add-on to Wi-Fi 6 for those looking to ensure their Wi-Fi connection works in all corners of their home. It cost $10 a month. Company technicians install the services and determine the number of access points needed for the best experience. A combination of the two creates “an unmatched home Wi-Fi experience that is only offered by Telus,” the company says. “We all know what it feels like to have that one spot in our home where the Wi-Fi connection just isn’t as strong, and the frustration that can cause ourselves and our families,” Zainul Mawji, preside...

How to Position Router Antennas

  Most people think about router features like speed, power, and Wi-Fi protocols, but the antenna position matters, too. Here’s how to position router antennas for the best performance. How Should Wi-Fi Antennas Be Positioned? When positioning router antennas, there is a simple method and a complex one. The approach to each is a little different. The Simple Method for Positioning Router Antennas The simple method follows a pattern that works in most situations. It works best if you want good performance but don’t care about getting the best performance. If your Wi-Fi router has feet, set the router on them and not on its side. If the router has feet on more than one side, you can choose either position. Kittichai Boonpong/ Getty Images Locate your router’s antennas. If you can’t find any external antennas, your router has only internal ones. Pea San Ratn Dilk/ Getty Images If you want coverage for only one floor, position some vertically and some horizontally. Vladimir Nenov/ Getty...

Solved: Arris Modem Won’t Connect To The Internet (8 Fixes)

  What to do when your Arris modem won’t connect to the Internet?  Rebooting an Arris modem is usually enough to resolve any issue with connecting to the Internet. Unplug your modem from the power source, wait for 1-2 minutes, plug it back in. However, if rebooting doesn’t solve the problem, you should check the cables for damage or reset to factory settings.  Keep reading to learn why your Arris modem isn’t connecting and what steps to take so you reboot and/or reset the modem properly to fix any connection problems.  Check out the list of the best streaming devices   on Amazon now!  Why Is My Arris Modem Not Connecting To The Internet? There are a few reasons why your Arris modem might have problems connecting to the Internet: A problem with the modem:  Sometimes, hardware can impact the modem’s ability to connect. Damage to the cables:  Wiring wears out over time, so if your cables are a few years old, they might have damage. Small animals...