In the average American home, the download speed averages out to 242 Mbs, which is considered pretty decent connection on the Internet.
But researchers at Aston University in the UK recently managed to catch 1,2 million times that rhythm using a simple cable fiber optics. This is a new record for certain wavelength bands.
The international team achieved rhythm transportof data of 301 terabits, or 301.000.000 megabits per second, accessing new wavelength bands that are not normally accessible on existing optical fibers. According an Aston University publication, you can think of these different wavelength bands as different colors of light emitted through a standard wire.
Commercially available fiber optic cabling uses what are known as C and L bands to transmit data.
However, by building a device called an optical processor, the researchers they could access the unused E and S bands.
"In recent years Aston University has developed optical amplifiers that operate in the E band, which is next to the C band in the electromagnetic spectrum, but is about three times wider," said Ian Phillips, creator of the optical processor.
"Prior to the development of our device, no one had been able to properly mimic E-band channels in a controlled manner."
But as far as new technology goes, the processor was basically an experiment for the team.
"In general, the data was sent over an optical fiber like an Internet connection in the home or office," Phillips added.
What is particularly impressive and promising about the team's achievement is that no new fiber optic lines are needed to reach these incredible speeds.
Most existing optical cables are technically capable of reaching E and S bands, but lacked the equipment infrastructure to do so. With further improvement, Internet providers could increase standard speeds without repairing current fiber infrastructure.
