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

Typically, internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), with current high-end services reaching gigabits per second (Gbps), equivalent to 1,000 Mbps. However, a team of researchers in Japan, led by the National Institute of Information and Communication Technology (NICT) in collaboration with Sumitomo Electric Industries, has just set a new benchmark, surpassing all standards, with a data transmission speed of 1.02 petabits per second, equivalent to 1,020,000,000 Mbps.

This speed is so fast that it can download over 1,500 80GB files in less than a second. Even a game of around 150GB can be downloaded in an instant. This achievement is not only an impressive technical demonstration but also paves the way for a host of future technologies such as 6G, augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and self-driving cars – fields currently limited by bandwidth.

What makes this record special is not only the exceptional speed, but also the transmission distance. Previously, the team achieved 319 Tbps in 2021 and increased it to 1.7 Pbps in 2023, but only over a distance of about 64 km. This time, the data was transmitted at a speed of 1.02 Pbps over a distance of nearly 1,800 km.

This presents a significant challenge, as signals in fiber optic cables typically degrade over distance. However, researchers have overcome this obstacle with groundbreaking improvements in system design and transmission technology. This achievement not only sets a new world record but also represents a crucial step in building a super-fast internet infrastructure for the future.

How did they do it?

The most impressive aspect of this achievement is that it didn't require a complete infrastructure overhaul. Instead of relying on a single optical core like traditional cables, the research team used an advanced cable developed by Sumitomo Electric, integrating up to 19 optical cores within a standard sheath only 0.125 mm thick—the same size as current fiber optic cables.

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

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

However, simultaneously amplifying all data streams from 19 cores without crosstalk was a significant challenge. To overcome this, they applied advanced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) signal processing technology, which allowed them to "decongest" and reconstruct overlapping signals into accurate, original data streams.

Although this technology is currently still in the research phase, its potential applications are enormous. In the long term, network operators could significantly upgrade transmission speeds without physically expanding their cabling systems.

Of course, many hurdles remain, such as inter-core interference, complex manufacturing processes, and compatible hardware requirements, but the proven technical foundation opens up a promising future for ultra-high-speed internet.