Scientists use new fiber optic band to achieve 301,000 Gbps internet speeds

British scientists say they have developed a way to transmit 301,000 Gbps internet speeds over a single standard optical fiber.

Researchers at Aston University did this by exploiting new wavelength bands – or essentially additional colours – that are not used in current fiber optic cabling.

“Broadly speaking, data is sent over fiber optics, much like an internet connection in a home or office,” said Ian Phillips, one of the Aston University researchers on the team.

(Source: Aston University)

Other scientists have been able to increase data transfer rates by effectively splitting light into more wavelengths, allowing for faster internet speeds of over 1 million Gbps. However, the Aston University team’s research paper says these solutions may require upgrading the entire fiber network.

“In contrast, MBT (Multiband Transmission), although the overall bandwidth is limited to installed standard single-mode fiber (SSMF), only requires system upgrades at the node and operator levels,” the researchers wrote. They added , their experiments were conducted on a 50-kilometer-long optical fiber.

Specifically, the team developed “optical amplifiers and optical gain equalizers” that can utilize E-band and S-band, as well as the already commercialized C and L-band. “Prior to the development of our device, no one had been able to correctly simulate E-band channels in a controlled manner,” Phillips said.

The research is expected to provide ISPs with a more affordable way to upgrade the speeds of existing fiber optic networks. Aston University added: “Increasing system capacity by using more of the available spectrum – not just traditional C-band but also other bands such as L, S and now E-band – will help reduce the cost of delivering this bandwidth .” Professor Vladek Foresiak. “It’s also a ‘greener solution’ than deploying more newer fiber.”