Researchers uncover way to boost Australia's global internet links

Updated

American scientists have discovered a way to dramatically increase the speed of Australia's internet links with the world.

The team from Bell Labs has been able to transmit data at 400 gigabits per second over long-haul fibre cable links, similar to the ones servicing Australia.

The scientists say it is roughly four times faster than previously thought possible.

The research, published in the journal Nature Photonics, reveals a way to reduce the distortions - known as non linearities - on the long-distance links, which can be up to around 13,000 kilometres in length.

To put it in context, that is roughly the distance of the cables linking Australia and Japan via Guam.

"With this performance enhancement we think we can further improve the connectivity between continents," Dr Xiang Liu, who lead the research team, said.

Fellow researcher Peter Winzer says it is an important breakthrough given the world's insatiable appetite for data.

"Traffic is growing exponentially all over the world," he said.

"With each keystroke you do on your computer on a Google search, you have immense traffic that connects your computer to a data centre that's very far away from where you are."

The breakthrough will not directly mean faster internet speeds at home. But more people will be able to use the submarine links at once.

"This exponentially growing traffic puts a lot of pressure on to the backbone, the submarine links and the long-haul terrestrial links that are needed to get the data to the point where it becomes fibre to the home," Dr Winzer said.

For decades, scientists have been struggling to come up with ways to improve the cables' efficiency.

The previous record was 100 gigabits per second, and Andrew Chraplyvy from Bell Labs says the development could have huge implications for the long-distance links.

"All systems are either limited by their speed or by their length or by both, and what Xiang has invented is a technique that allows you to go longer length or transmit higher capacities by using this," he said.

According to telecommunications analyst Paul Budde, the breakthrough will hopefully lead to greater affordability.

"If Australia needs another cable to connect to, for example, America, or even to Indonesia and from there Asia and into Europe, they are very, very expensive exercises," Mr Budde said.

"So the more efficient and the more effective and higher speeds we can get out of existing cables, the better of course it is for Australia."

Topics: internet-technology, computers-and-technology, science-and-technology, internet-culture, united-states, australia

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