UK researchers achieve data transfer speeds 4.5 million times faster than UK broadband

UK scientists use untapped wavelengths to deliver insane data speeds for future broadband networks

Researchers at Aston University may have shown us the future of UK broadband internet. Using a standard optical fibre, academics have managed to achieve 301 terabit per second speeds. That’s 301,000,000 Mb/s, a new record.

The UK’s average home broadband speed being 69.4 Mb/s. That makes Aston University’s new speed record 4,5 million times faster than the UK’s average broadband connection.

These data transfer speeds were achieved using wavelength bands that aren’t used by traditional fibre optic systems. Alongside standard C and L-bands, researchers used E-band and S-band connections to deliver additional networking bandwidth.

What Aston University’s researchers have shown us is that the UK can make more effective use of its existing fibre network. Instead of laying down new cables, the network can be upgraded to boost networking speeds. This will prolong the useful lifespan of the UK’s broadband network. It will also increase the commercial value of the network by increasing its capacity.

This research makes it clear that today’s fibre optic networks have a lot of untapped potential. Let’s hope that that will allow faster internet speeds to become available across the UK at affordable prices.

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