So much internet p0rn: The demand for data processing is increasing rapidly and traditional communication standards are no longer up to the task. Thanks to a novel engineering approach, a Chinese team is developing fiber optic technology that could potentially solve the data speed problem for a while and more.
A joint initiative by Chinese researchers and engineers has set a new record for real-time fiber optic communications. The team sent 3.2 petabits per second (Pbps) over a single fiber, surpassing the 2.5 Pbps mark set by the same group earlier this year. The figure reflects bidirectional transmission, with traffic flowing in both directions simultaneously.
One petabit is equal to 1,000 terabits, meaning a 3.2Pbps connection could download more than 20,000 4K movies in a single second. The researchers said this performance means a single fiber optic cable could theoretically meet the gigabit broadband needs of 3.2 million homes.
The recording comes from researchers at CICT’s National Key Laboratory of Optical Communication Technologies and Networks, Peng Cheng Laboratory and FiberHome Fujikura. They achieved 3.2 Pbit/s with a 24-core fiber over a distance of 10.3 km.
The optical signal was designed to use thousands of parallel channels across three wavelength bands. The team relied on self-developed optical modules and aimed for real-time transmissions that could meet current commercial standards.
Much higher speeds have been achieved in laboratory tests using similar 24-core fiber designs, but these efforts have depended on experimental equipment and signal processing devices.
The researchers said petabit-level data channels could be crucial to advancing the AI industry. Single-mode fiber is nearing capacity as new AI data centers route more and more traffic back and forth.
Beyond AI and data centers, the technology could also benefit other high-performance connectivity scenarios, including connecting massive data centers and powering backbone networks for 6G cellular services. The work was selected for the 2026 Optical Fiber Communication Conference and the researchers were invited to publish their results in a scientific journal.
Finally, CICT noted that the record will be achieved in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of “practical” fiber optic infrastructure in China. In 1976, the country’s research focused on “glass filaments” just 0.2 millimeters wide. Today, China is setting world records by pursuing complete self-reliance in the IT business.
