Researchers from Nokia Bell Labs, Deutsche Telekom T-Labs and the Technical University of Munich have managed to achieve incredible broadband speeds of 1 terbit per second (Tb) over fibre. That’s close to its theoretical maximum limit.
The scientists achieved the feat by using a new modulation technique called Probabilistic Constellation Shaping (PCS). It's a complex process, but the result is that it allows data to pass down a cable with less interference.
Nokia CTO and Bell Labs president Marcus Weldon said: "PCS offers great benefits to service providers and enterprises by enabling optical networks to operate closer to the Shannon Limit to support massive data centre interconnectivity and provide the flexibility and performance required for modern networking in the digital era."
The Shannon Limit refers to the maximum limit that a communications channel can carry data without errors. The experiment was conducted as part of the Safe and Secure European Routing (SASER) project, and tested on a real world fibre optic network belonging to Deutsch Telecom, and the researchers reckon they're close to hitting the limits of that network.
While providers like BT have achieved speeds of 2Tb and more over their own closed systems, this is the fastest speeds achieved with a commercially available network, and something that could have huge benefits for businesses in particular, where fast data transmission is essential.
Source: ISPReview
Read more broadband, TV and mobile news
Stay up to date with the latest news: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+
How would you rate broadbandchoices? Help us improve by writing a review
