Japan sets world record for internet speed, reaching 1 billion Mbps

Internet speeds are typically measured in Megabits per second (Mbps), with high-end services now reaching Gigabits per second (Gbps), or 1,000 Mbps. However, a team of researchers in Japan, led by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), in collaboration with Sumitomo Electric Industries, has just set a milestone that goes beyond all standards, with a data transmission speed of 1.02 Petabits per second, or 1,020,000,000 Mbps.

This speed is so fast that it can download more than 1,500 files of 80 GB in less than 1 second. Even a game weighing about 150 GB can be downloaded in a split second. This achievement is not only an impressive technical display, but also paves the way for a series of future technologies such as 6G, virtual/augmented reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI), or self-driving cars - areas that are currently limited by current bandwidth.

What makes this record special is not just the speed, but the distance it was transmitted. The team previously achieved 319 Tbps in 2021 and 1.7 Gbps in 2023, but only over a distance of about 64 kilometers. This time, data was transmitted at a speed of 1.02 Gbps over a distance of nearly 1,800 kilometers.

This is a big challenge, because the signal in fiber optic cables usually gradually attenuates over distance. However, researchers have overcome this obstacle with breakthrough improvements in system design and transmission technology. This achievement not only sets a new world record, but is also an important step forward in the journey to build a super-fast Internet infrastructure for the future.

How did they do it?

The most impressive thing about this record is that it does not require the entire infrastructure to be rebuilt. Instead of relying on a single optical core like traditional cables, the team used an advanced cable developed by Sumitomo Electric, integrating up to 19 optical cores inside a standard cladding that is only 0.125 mm thick, the same size as current optical cables.

Thanks to this groundbreaking design, instead of transmitting all data over a single path, the signal is split and transmitted simultaneously over 19 separate cores, increasing overall speed while remaining compatible with existing infrastructure systems. This is an important strategic advantage, as it allows network capacity to be upgraded without the need for new trenching or large-scale cable replacement.

To simulate the ultra-long distance transmission, scientists used 21 special optical amplifier relays, ensuring the signal remains stable and strong throughout the nearly 1,800 km length.

However, amplifying all the data streams from 19 cores simultaneously without causing cross-talk is a big challenge. To overcome this, they applied advanced multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) signal processing technology, which allows them to “detangle” and reconstruct overlapping signals into the original, accurate data stream.

Although this technology is still in the research phase, the potential for application is huge. In the long term, network operators can significantly upgrade transmission speeds without physically expanding the cable system.

Of course, many barriers still lie ahead, such as inter-core interference, complex manufacturing processes, or compatible hardware requirements, but the proven technical foundation opens up a promising future for ultra-high-speed Internet./.