Japan Sets New Internet Speed Record, Capable of Downloading Netflix's Entire Library in One Second

Researchers from Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) have achieved a groundbreaking internet speed of 1.02 petabits per second using standard-sized optical fibre. This speed is equivalent to downloading the entire Netflix library in just one second, showcasing a significant leap in internet technology.

To put this into perspective, most people measure internet speed in megabits per second (Mbps). A single petabit equals one million gigabits or a billion megabits. Therefore, the new record translates to approximately 1,020,000,000 Mbps. In comparison, the average internet speed in the United States is around 300 Mbps, while India's average is about 64 Mbps.

Fastest Speed on Existing Infrastructure

The NICT team achieved this feat by utilising a unique type of optical fibre with 19 cores. Each core can carry data independently, unlike typical fibre-optic cables that have only one core. Despite having multiple cores, the experimental cable maintains the same standard size of 0.125 mm thickness as those used globally today.

In their experiment, researchers transmitted data over a distance of 1,808 kilometres (approximately 1,123 miles). They looped the signal through 19 circuits, each measuring 86.1 km long. This setup allowed for simultaneous transmission of 180 data streams, achieving a bandwidth of 1.86 exabits per second per kilometre.

Real-World Possibilities

This remarkable speed opens up numerous possibilities for real-world applications. Tasks such as downloading the entire English version of Wikipedia thousands of times per second or streaming ultra-high-definition video instantly become feasible. The potential benefits extend to high-performance cloud computing, AI model training, large-scale remote collaboration, and global data storage systems.

Despite being in the research phase, this technology's use of standard-sized fibre cables suggests it could be implemented more easily in real-world settings soon. While there is no specific timeline for public availability yet, this achievement offers an exciting glimpse into the future of internet connectivity.

"Our goal was to demonstrate that incredibly fast internet speeds can be achieved using infrastructure that already exists," said NICT.

The implications of such advancements are vast and could revolutionise how we interact with digital content and services globally. As researchers continue to push boundaries in this field, we may soon witness unprecedented changes in internet capabilities worldwide.