Japan Sets Record with 1.02 Petabits-per-Second Data Transmission Over 1,808 km

Japan has achieved a record-breaking data transmission speed of 1.02 petabits per second over a distance of 1,808 kilometres, using a next-generation optical fibre containing 19 cores.

The breakthrough was achieved by Japanese researchers and represents a major step forward in the development of high-capacity communication networks.

Unlike conventional optical fibre, which typically carries data through a single core, the new fibre contains 19 separate cores within the same standard outer diameter. This allows significantly more data to be transmitted without requiring a substantially larger fibre cable.

The researchers demonstrated that the technology can maintain extremely high transmission capacity over a long distance, highlighting its potential for future telecommunications infrastructure.

At 1.02 petabits per second, the demonstrated capacity is equivalent to more than one million gigabits of data every second, far exceeding the requirements of today’s internet services.

The record-breaking demonstration, announced by Japanese researchers in 2025, could contribute to the development of next-generation networks capable of handling rapidly growing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence, streaming and other data-intensive technologies.

The technology also offers the potential to expand network capacity while making use of infrastructure designed around the dimensions of conventional optical fibre.