China based telecommunication and network solutions provider ZTE has achieved an all new high with field demonstration of data being transported at a speed of 1.7Tbps over optical network. This demonstration of speed is not only path-breaking, but also one-of-a-kind in telecom & networking field.
The data was transported through eight channels, each with a capacity of 216.4Gbps using the WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) system, as reported by Computer World. WDM is a system through which data of different wavelength can be sent over a single optical fibre.
ZTE demonstrated this amazing feat over a distance of 1,750 kilometres, using standard single mode fibre optic cable. The experiments aim was to highlight the possible upgrade from a 100Gbps transmission to 200Gbps transmission system.
Last week, a similar kind of experiment was conducted by ZTE’s rival Huawei, wherein they showcased a prototype system capable to handle transmission of 400Gbps per channel. However, neither ZTE nor Huawei are able to estimate, when products featuring such amazing speed of 200Gbps or more will go on sale.
In the real world scenario, operators generally channel 10Gbps speed with an intention to upgrade to 40Gbps or 100Gbps. Such higher speed transmissions are favored by operators due to the low cost of operation per bit.
For us Indians even data speeds of 4mbps is a reason for celebration. Ass to it the fact that the majority of us still surf at an average speed of 512Kbps. For the Indian market, achieving such data transfer speeds seems like a far fetched dream.
