This optical transmission system utilizes advanced optical fibers and specialized signal processing techniques, providing substantial improvements in speed compared to conventional systems.

The advancements in data transmission could potentially lower the cost per bit of data, allowing internet service providers to pass on savings to customers.

Such breakthroughs could revolutionize internet connectivity, enabling near-instantaneous downloads, ultra-smooth streaming, and enhanced capabilities for data-intensive applications like virtual reality.

Ian Phillips, a teaching fellow at Aston University, highlighted that this technology could significantly enhance the communication capacity of optical infrastructures as demand for data services continues to grow.

Notably, the achievement was made using standard commercially available fiber-optic cables, eliminating the need for specialized installations.

The research detailing these advancements was published by Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).

Researchers at Aston University have set a new world record for fiber-optic data transfer speed, achieving an astonishing 402 terabits per second (Tbps), which is approximately 16 million times faster than the average home broadband connection.

This new speed surpasses the previous record of 319 Tbps set by the same team, marking a significant advancement in optical communication technology.

To achieve this breakthrough, the researchers utilized all six wavelength bands available in commercial fiber-optic cables: O, E, S, C, L, and U, marking the first time these bands have been used simultaneously in fiber-optic communications.

Employing wavelength division multiplexing, the team maximized the use of the available spectrum, significantly increasing data transmission speeds without the need for specialized cables.

The researchers overcame challenges related to conventional doped fiber amplifiers for the U-band, expanding the spectrum for data transmission to cover all six wavelength bands.

The innovative system incorporates 38 cores within the optical fiber, each capable of transmitting data in three modes, resulting in a total of 114 spatial channels for combined communication signals.