Summary:
Japanese researchers have achieved a groundbreaking feat, successfully transmitting an astonishing 1.02 petabits of data per second over an unprecedented distance of 1,118 miles. This world-record-breaking accomplishment, utilizing an innovative 19-core optical fiber, paves the way for future data infrastructure capable of supporting the immense demands of AI, virtual reality, and the ever-expanding Internet of Things.
In a significant leap forward for global connectivity, researchers in Japan have successfully transmitted an astounding 1.02 petabits (that’s 1.02 x 10^6 GB) per second of data over an incredible distance of 1,118 miles using a revolutionary 19-core optical fiber. This monumental achievement not only establishes a new world record in data transmission but also lays the essential groundwork for a future where our digital infrastructure can meet the exponentially growing data demands of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, immersive virtual reality, and the vast Internet of Things, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
For decades, the scientific community has been dedicated to enhancing data transmission speeds through optical fibers. While achieving petabit-per-second speeds has been possible in controlled, short-distance environments, the persistent challenge has been maintaining signal integrity and strength over extended ranges. Signal degradation and interference typically impede performance over long distances. The Japanese team ingeniously addressed this by developing a 19-core optical fiber. This innovative design dramatically increases the data-carrying capacity without altering the fiber’s external diameter, offering a compact yet powerful solution to the long-standing problem.
BREAKING:
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) July 10, 2025
Japan breaks world internet speed record with 1.02 petabits per second, enough to download all of Netflix in one second. pic.twitter.com/xE9EI1oTRj
Breaking Distance Barriers with Multi-Core Innovation
This remarkable achievement is analogous to expanding a single-lane road into a 19-lane superhighway, enabling an immense volume of data to flow simultaneously and efficiently. Each of the 19 cores within the fiber operates independently, effectively minimizing interference and maximizing overall transmission efficiency. To counteract the inevitable signal weakening over such extended distances, the researchers engineered a highly sophisticated amplification system. This system ensures that each core is simultaneously amplified across different light bands. This was accomplished through a complex network of recirculating loops combined with a MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output)-based processor, ultimately resulting in the record-breaking data transmission capacity of 1.02 petabits per second over 1,118 miles.
Immense Potential for Tomorrow’s Internet Infrastructure
The potential applications of this 19-core optical fiber technology are truly immense, extending far beyond simply increasing speed. Previously, similar multi-core fibers were limited to much shorter transmission distances. However, this new technology has shattered those previous limits, marking a pivotal step towards a genuine revolution in the internet infrastructure of tomorrow. As the world transitions into the post-5G era, the demand for robust, high-capacity data highways is becoming increasingly urgent. This demand is driven by the rapid development of technologies such as self-driving cars, real-time virtual reality experiences, and the proliferation of billions of connected devices forming the IoT.
Crucially, this innovation promises to enable ultra-high-speed networks without necessitating changes to existing infrastructure dimensions. This flexibility and practicality of maintaining standard fiber sizes while achieving unprecedented performance are vital for widespread adoption, presenting a viable and practical solution to the anticipated exponential surge in global data traffic.
